The bio sheet describes SOILWORK as "melodic extreme metal", which is most likely some way of hooking them in with that tofu-and-Miller-Light metal like CRADLE OF FILTH and later IN FLAMES. C'mon man, either do it or don't do it. If you're gonna go "extreme", shoot for SUFFOCATION and don't look back. But this? Listen to (picking a random track here) "Distance", for example. A low-calorie version of a nu-metal riff that eventually takes a turn for LINKIN PARK territory. You can almost imagine the alternating "angry" vocal and the "melodic" vocal in the track arguing over "less filling" or "tastes great" if you put your mind to it.

Based on the arrangement and production style, it seems like this band is shooting for the late-nite FM radio slot. That's when "they really play the heavy stuff duder". I'm sure there are plenty of other more record industry-approved rags and 'extreme' webzines that will tote this as fucking genius, but for my money, this is a waste of money. I'm never surprised to see what kind of schlock gets through to rock fans that lower their expectations and become too lazy to look beyond the over promoted stuff. I'm sure these guys will be on Headbanger's Ball with "Munky" from KORN, and probably wearing a THIN LIZZY shirt to boot. You'll see them on the Black Eyes / Clenched Fists tour or zine or whatever, calling them the new artist of the year. I've had enough. Get that AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE album if you want something in the FM radio / mainstream vein, as it sure kicks the crap out of this. Ugh.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.soilwork.org

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