Album Review

Soilwork - The Living InfiniteSoilwork – The Living Infinite

Soilwork are another one of those phenomenal Swedish melodic death metal bands alongside the likes of In Flames that are the most easily and memorably associated with the scene and are one of the longest standing acts in that scene too forming in 1995 bringing their current career up to 18 years thus far. Originally their music was extremely heavy and would blow your face off in the days of “Figure Number Five” and “The Chainheart Machine” but in recent releases we have seen the band incorporating softer and more melodic influences into their material which has broadened their horizons and the depth of their sound, whilst I like the material and enjoy it I do feel that I prefer their heavier material, time to see if their latest instalment excites me in a special way.

A double album you know, I always find them extremely impressive and if a band is putting one out it’s a huge achievement but with that comes a lot to live up to, sometimes the only half of it is really productive material leaving the rest as less impressive filler tracks. As far as CD1 goes I’ve found that one an incredibly enjoyable listen with songs like “Let The First Wave Rise”, “Spectrum of Eternity”, “Tongue” and “This Momentary Bliss” forerunning the assault of thick distorted riffs harmonising with clean melodic counterparts and a combination of many different styles of vocal work (I mean Just spin “The Windswept Mercy” a few times and feel the strain you’ll have in your neck afterwards).

CD2 then has its chance to shine; I must say that they don’t lose sight of the goal as the tracks still have their own drawing points and are not filler pieces in the slightest which was a very refreshing change to the status quo I must say. There is still drop dead heavy power amongst the likes of “Leech”, “Long Live The Misanthrope” and “Rise Above The Sentiment” are just as infectious and easily just as memorable as anything you can find on the first album if not a little heavier.

Progression and survival can take many forms and take many things to pay off, manipulation of style and redirection some pay off, some do not, and all have the same risk involved. This one has definitely paid off as I haven’t really been a big Soilwork fanatic for a few years and this has pushed then back on my radar, fantastic effort.

4.5/5

Review by James Webb

 Band Members

Bjorn "Speed" Strid
Sven Karlsson
Sylvain Coudret
David Andersson
Dirk Verbeuren
Ola Flink
 Track Listing
CD1
1. Spectrum of Eternity
2. Memories Confined
3. This Momentary Bliss
4. Tongue
5. The Living Infinite I
6. Let The First Wave Rise
7. Vesta
8. Realm of The Wasted
9. The Windswept Mercy
10. Whispers and Lights
CD2
1. Entering Aeons
2. Long Live The Misanthrope
3. Drowning With Silence
4. Antidotes In Passing
5. Leech
6. The Living Infinite II
7. Loyal Shadow
8. Rise Above The Sentiment
9. Parasite Blues
10. Owls Predict, Oracles Stand Guard
 Band Related Links
Soilwork Facebook
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?