Could SOILWORK’S new album PANIC BROADCAST be any more metal?
Posted on Sep 1, 2010 / Posted by Ann Allen /
THERE WAS A TIME A COUPLE OF DECADES AGO – maybe even three – that a veteran metal-head would associate Sweden with absurd bands like *TEASE and *EUROPE. Those days however, are thankfully long gone, but their dubious, yet valiant trail-blazing sound has evolved into what can only be described now as ‘metal-by-guys-who-fucking–wail’ music. This is apparent so much so, that the birthplace of ABBA and Volvo, is now on my ‘bucket list’ of places to see before I croak.
I began my love affair with SOILWORK when I first heard, SWORN TO A GREAT DIVIDE. Sure, I was a somewhat late bloomer when it comes to this band, but it goes without saying, I was chomping at the bit, as I slid their latest album, THE PANIC BROADCAST into my CD player.
Cue the album’s first track, Late for the kill; Early for the slaughter and you’ll be met with a wonderfully ambient intro, followed by a punch in the face by blast beats and commanding riffs. It’s actually these blast beats that sends my focus to SOILWORK’S drummer, Dirk Verbeuren, who throughout this whole album, makes intricate drum fills, rolls and perfect double-bass tracks, sound effortless and never disjointed or dirty. This guy is so damn good, Buddy Rich would get the horn for this guy’s drum chops.
Which brings me to SOILWORK singer, Björn “Speed” Strid. Vocally, this cat meets his band-mates’ talent and diversity on tracks like Let the River Flow – which also opens with another pretty and ambient intro – then leaves you excitedly wondering what’s coming next. This guy is simply rad and clearly comfortable using either his well-rounded singing voice, or his throaty growls and screams. Both are equally represented and fit nicely into each track.
THE PANIC BROADCAST, truly represents versatility and incredible talent from every member of SOILWORK and they’d be totally justified in forming a daisy chain together, to celebrate being such a great band. They each manage to shine through up-tempo tracks such as Deliverance is Mine, and generate a cool groove in The Thrill, but are equally as comfortable in more melodic tracks, such as my personal favourites, Epitome and The Akuma Afterglow. It’s rare to find this much talent in one band, so bravo fellas.
It’s no secret that Sweden is home to a unique and specialised genre of heavy metal and SOILWORK – to me – sits high up in the genre’s upper echelon and I am happy to keep this album in strong rotation on my stereo, until it’s time for these Scandinavian shredders to unleash the next chapter in their career and impress me all over again.
THE PANIC BROADCAST is out now on Nuclear Blast Records.
Annie @ KR
*Yes, I realise Sweden also has a healthy black metal scene too, but frankly, mentioning Europe and Tease works better, from a comedic perspective, if ya catch my drift.
Tags: knobrock, panic broadcast, review, soilwork
