Company: Nuclear Blast America Release: 2007 Reviewer: Sinnercorp Genre: Melodic Death
Rating 3.5
If you're a fan through and through, then you'll definitely enjoy this
One of Sweden's finest melodic death metal bands and their latest album from 2007 "Sworn to a Great Divide" simply proves that these Swedish dudes still got it. When chief songwriter/lead guitarist Peter Wichers exited Soilwork, it was a question of how the writing would be affected. Would it still be a strong lineup after bringing in new guitarist Daniel Antonsson? The production is as solid as it was on Natural Born Chaos; you have all of the best elements from the previous albums, and a strong vocal performance from Bjorn (whose vocals were produced by Strapping Young Lad's Devin Townsend). Antonsson's riffs are brutal, heavy, and melodic, and the leads, solos, and harmonies are just superb, majestic, and fun to hum along to. Dirk Verbeuren does an all around solid, powerful job behind the drums as well. Every track on this album is worth the listen. "Sworn" is certainly not lacking in heaviness; some of the riffs of the title track are as heavy as anything out there. What sets this band apart is their skill and knack for melodic hooks, whether in vocals or guitar, which acts as a sort of balance to their brutal riffs and rhythmic chugging. Some people who'll enjoy Soilwork's older stuff like "Steelbath Suicide", "A Predator's Portrait", and "The Chainheart Machine" might not like this album, but if you're a fan of Soilwork through and through, then you'll definitely enjoy this album. The limited edition comes with a bonus track and a bonus DVD with footage from the making of the album, Exile music video, and a full live bootleg.
