Album number thirteen for one of the Swedish forefathers of Melodeath, Soilwork we hear a band rising above the turmoil of the world surrounding us, whilst also embracing it wholeheartedly. Meaning “Abandonment”, “Övergivenheten” clocks in at just over an hour running a gamut of emotions, Soilwork takes the listener on a journey of despair, resurgence and anger.
Nothing is more evident in my description of what to expect as the title track kicks in. “Övergivenheten” slowly creeps into our ear holes with a beautiful lull with orchestral beauty ever so slowly preparing us for the magnificent kick in the chest the sound of Soilwork we have come to know, love and expect. From the get go we know that from the vocal delivery of Björn “Speed” Strid we are in for something truly special. On “Övergivenheten” the listener truly knows that we’re about to hear his finest work from Soilwork’s past 27 odd years. This track prepares us, if possible, for better yet to come!
“Nous Sommes La Guerre” (translated as We Are At War) is just truly awesome. The second release from the album, it has many emotions and chapters throughout. As the translation/title suggests it is a solemn track full of harmonies and magnificent guitar melodies that is as enthralling and stunning as the accompanying animated video.
“Electric Again’‘ is now where we hear Soilwork finally shift up a gear and get their familiar aggression going. Kicking in with blast beats and thrash inspired riffs, we are pummeled to near exhaustion then the chorus kicks in with a crowd pleasing slow paced chant of “It Is Hard To Me, What We Used To Be, Like A Ghost In Me, Whispers Endlessly. When You Know I Would, If I Only Could, Be Electric, Electric Again!” Grounding us further halfway through the track there is a brief keyboard interlude giving the aggression a mild break before smashing back into a riffing blast-fueled apocalypse.
Soilwork stated that on Övergivenheten they wanted it to sound organic; as if the band sounded live and heard with clarity like they were playing the album in our loungerooms without the need for compression disguising their intent and I think that they have achieved that. Big, bold and BRUTAL well crafted songs that proves the band’s purpose of delivering exceptionally executed melodic death metal. “Is It In Your Darkness” & “Vultures” side by side is the perfect point made of Soilworks mission statement. An immaculate balance of subdued guitar melody holding hands superbly with blast beats for company as the mellow/aggressive vocals guide us through the journey Övergivenheten demands.
While it may be hard to comprehend, the first half of the album is actually quite mellow than the latter half. Having interviewed Björn and mentioning this fact, he agreed, so the halfway point of the album is “Morgongåva / Stormfågel”, a quick interlude softening our expectations of Övergivenheten’s second act. “Death, I hear You Calling” paces us with tons of melody and killer leads then “This Godless Universe” is in my opinion the best track on the album and easily Björn’s best vocal work on the album. Sensational guttural screams and growls with complimentary highs proving the man’s incredible talent and range. This is the epitome of Soilwork and we hear the band at the top of their game, meaning that Övergivenheten is their best album since “Natural Born Chaos”.
4/5
Övergivenheten is out this Friday 19th August via Nuclear Blast and Soilwork are touring Australia this November courtesy of Hardline Media
Soilwork – 2022 Australian Tour Dates
Tickets on sale now via Hardline Media
11/1 Perth, AUS – Magnet House
11/2 Adelaide, AUS – Lion Arts Factory
11/3 Sydney, AUS – Manning Bar
11/4 Melbourne, AUS – Croxton
11/5 Brisbane, AUS – The Zoo
