In reality, Soilwork continues to grow
For Soilwork, it doesn’t seem like four years have passed since their last studio album release. While almost four years may seem like an eternity to wait for good music, Verkligheten was worth the wait. Since their last album, The Ride Majestic, the Swedish heavy metal band has had to replace two band members, their drummer and bassist.
With the addition of Bastian Thusgaard on drums and Taylor Nordberg on the bass guitar, lead vocalist and co-founder of Soilwork Björn Strid said to Blabbermouth that the band “feel[s] more like a unit than [they’ve] for a long time.” Honestly, this statement shines through the album because each song is a beautiful combination of instruments and vocals that scream dedication and commitment of the members.
Throughout Verkligheten, it’s easy to hear classic heavy metal basics through the guitar and vocals. Besides the first track, Strid’s skill of drifting between screaming and clean, melodious vocals can be heard in each song. As seen in their very first album, Steelbath Suicide, and on the second disc on The Living Infinite, the first track of the album is instrumental. “Verkligheten” eases listeners into the album, and the distinct, sullen sounds created by the drums and keyboard are too good to turn away from.
In two of the songs, “Stålfågel” and “Needles and Kin,” the band welcomes guest vocalists Alissa White-Gluz and Tomi Joutsen, respectively. Needless to say, the guest vocalists made these two songs standout tracks of the album.
While the songs tend to blend together because of the similar melodies in each, Soilwork still expresses that sticking with what they know works and will continue to do so for years to come. After the mini hiatus, the album as a whole shows that the band has newfound inspiration and that having new people with different capabilities and enthusiasm seems to have lit a spark. Ultimately Verkligheten isn’t their best album in terms of structural and melodic diversity, but it certainly creates positive buildup for future albums.
Let’s hope fans won’t have to wait another four years to hear what Soilwork has to show next.
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