SOILWORK
The competition is outright dogged I tell ya!! Sweden's Gothenberg acts continue to steamroll over every other Metal scene on the face of this cursed earth. We didn't have to wait long to get a follow up to the highly successful second release by SOILWORK which is surprising given the elevation of maturity and creativity that is demonstrated on this very impressive third offering. I liked the band's last recording but wasn't bowled over necessarily. With A Predator's Portrait, I most certainly am. The evolutionary process that the Gothenberg scene has endured over the past 5 years has been truly remarkable and it's speciation events like this that keep the scene brimming over with new and innovative varieties of Metal and give hope to the future. While I've always respected what SOILWORK have contributed to the scene I didn't consider them overly original, though I can't fuss over their immense talent and commitment to excellence. With this latest release however, SOILWORK have taken strides that have secured them a firm position on one of the thrones atop the Swedish Metal hierarchy. How have they done it, you so anxiously ask? Through a broadening of their already melodically aggressive demeanor and the addition of highly addictive choruses. The professionalism exhibited here is undeniable as well. The longer a band plays together the more likely their cohesiveness is to solidify. On this album it shows - big time! The basic components that set SOILWORK apart from the rest of the pack are still strongly felt throughout the listening experience but a whole new dimension has evolved in the band's music through the aforementioned avenues - a wider scope of depth and some incredibly well-devised choruses. The clean vocals, used almost exclusively in the latter's capacity, are key elemental pieces to the grand machine that SOILWORK has become.Bands with musical dexterity akin to SOILWORK's are often able to execute but are not as well versed at structural faculties. Here however, all the critical attributes that make for a classic album are in place. If I had only one word to describe A Predator's Portrait I'd have to shout Infectious!! Catchy is an understatement. The product as a whole throbs with power, grace and daring grandiosity. All I can say to the band is Well done, good and faithful servants!
This album kicks my ass and will kick yours if it already hasn't. You'll need your air guitars at the ready for all the tricky leads and hard-driving, fist-pumping rhythms.
John's rating: 8
Matt's rating: 9.5
