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Album Reviews : Soilwork – Live in Helskini

By on February 23, 2015

soilworkhelsinkidvdcover_638The Swedish “divorce death metal” (seriously, check their Facebook) outfit Soilwork are about to release a recording of their massive live set from The Circus in Helsinki, Finland.

Soilwork surely has to be seen as veterans now, turning 20 years this year. Stabbing The Drama was released 10 years ago in March, and since then Soilwork has been one of those bands that I have liked just enough to give them a listen every once in a while but not much more than that.

However, I requested to review this live album because I wanted to give the band a big, honest chance, once and for all. The massive setlist (23 songs or 1 hour and 41 minutes long) spans across their entire career, from Steelbath Suicide (1998) to The Living Infinite (2013). It’s an impressive showcase of the pure class that the Swedes possess. Soilwork are the kind of band that sounds really impressive live and the sound on this live release is great. Because of the fact that this show was filmed for a Blu-ray/DVD/CD release Soilwork really made sure that they would give the audience something special. Special guests for the night was Nightwish vocalist Floor Jansen (during “Let This River Flow”) and Nathan J. Briggs from Swedish modern metallers Sonic Syndicate (during “Black Star Deceiver”).

This release has really opened my ears for Soilwork in a way that their studio released never really managed to do. I believe that either if you’re a hardcore fan of the band, or if you’re a newcomer, you will enjoy this album (or the Blu-ray/DVD for that matter) tremendously. There are many highlights here, and despite it being a 100 minute release, it feels like you get through the songs in no time at all. If I had to pick one single song, it would be my favourite Soilwork song, “Weapon of Vanity”.

The energy in Björn Strid’s vocals is really addictive and it makes me want to listen to this live album over and over again. I can’t wait until I get the chance to watch the entire DVD. From what I’ve seen so far it looks amazing!

Check out The Momentary Bliss below. Blu-ray/DVD/album will be out via Nuclear Blast in March.

Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Label: Nuclear Blast
Origin: Sweden

Track List:
1. This Momentary Bliss
2. Like the Average Stalker
3. Overload
4. Weapon of Vanity
5. Spectrum of Eternity
6. Follow the Hollow
7. Parasite Blues
8. Distortion Sleep
9. Bastard Chain
10. Let This River Flow
11. Long Live the Misanthrope
12. Tongue
13. Nerve
14. The Chainheart Machine
15. The Living Infinite I
16. Rise Above the Sentiment
17. Late for the Kill, Early for the Slaughter
18. Rejections Role
19. Black Star Deceiver
20. As the Sleeper Awakes
21. Sadistic Lullabye
22. As We Speak
23. Stabbing the Drama

About

Martin is an aspiring music photographer/videographer. He is originally from the southern parts of Sweden and now he's living in Sydney, Australia. Thanks to his older sister, he got into Rammstein at the age of 9, and since then he's been into all types of metal/rock. He loves to combine photography and music, but also filming concerts and produce live material. Follow him on Twitter and check out his website.