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I think it can rightly be said that In Flames and Soilwork (and partly The Haunted as an offshoot of the seminal At The Gates of "Slaughter of the Soul") created, some years ago now, a truly profitable trend, not only in terms of commercial sales but also as a breath of fresh air and originality, at least in intentions. Then the market completely inflated and today a myriad of LPs come out as photocopies of "Natural Born Chaos" or "Reroute to Remain," and generally of metalcore clearly influenced by the Swedish scene (see the still excellent and powerful Killswitch Engage and the overrated Caliban).
But what will a listener approaching for the first time find? Well, very little Swedish brand death metal, just the type of guitar and bass sound (so a bit nasal on the rhythms but Maiden-like when soloing), a lot of American-styled nu-metal melody, very Pantera-like vocals (although to be fair to Phil Anselmo of "Vulgar..." there’s less anger and more pursuit of a cool, catchy chorus), and then a solid classic Bay Area thrash base (especially a lot of Testament and Exodus).
Having said this, I believe the new Soilwork album "Sworn to a Great Divide" can be said not to diverge much from what’s been mentioned above, and even less from the previous "Stabbing the Drama," but while staying true to their compositional line, it allows for some renewal. Firstly, the guitarist and principal composer Peter Wichers is no longer part of the team and the effect has been a recovery, albeit in small doses, of riffs more pertinent to death, as for example in "The Pittsburgh Syndrome", a really intense song, "As the Sleeper Awakes" (a small return to the origins) and in the title track, which I will discuss further later on.
Secondly, there has even been an enhancement in the desire to seek out impactful refrains, the kind of chorus that sticks in your mind immediately after hearing it even just once: this is the case with the first single "Exile", (a track that shows no weakness, excellent in consistency and melody), but also in the concluding "Sick Heart River" (very beautiful and emotional, you can even hear some references to Katatonia of "The Great Cold..."), "20 More Miles" and even in the bonus track "Martyr".
Excellent as well are the Pantera-like and thrashy "Breeding Thorns" and "I Vermin", where the alternation between power/speed and emo melody (and in this, the good Bjorn "Speed" Strid, the band’s singer, has no equal, proving himself very adept at alternating screams vocals and much more polished parts) finds a balance that many competitors of the genre lack.
I find only two weak points throughout the entire album: the opener and title track "Sworn to a Great Divide" (the only one that presents a few seconds of blast beat of death memory) seems to me the weakest track of the album, it does not present particular points of merit or demerit, it is simply mediocre. The second point is in the production: surely the voice stands out for clarity and presence, the drums are always perfectly distinct and audible, but damn, the rhythm guitars have a sound inferior in power and fullness compared to those appreciated on the previous "Stabbing the Drama." I wouldn’t want this to be intentional to make themselves even less indigestible to a wider audience (????!!!!!).
Ultimately, we are facing a record made with passion but also with great attention to the pursuit of commercial success (which does not always have negative and betraying connotations), as the leader "Speed" Strid has expressed more than once in no uncertain terms in his latest interviews published in the specialist press. We'll see if the goal will be achieved.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Sworn to a Great Divide (03:33)
'Cause I won't
Take what I give
I've sworn I'm
Better within
Not the last time
It keeps coming back
Building knowledge
Gaining strength
A part of the Jekyll
A part of the Hyde
Fear itself is bigger
Than the seed
It bares resemblance
To the mouths that I feed
I'm sworn to a great divide
Sworn to a great divide
How will I turn
When it beckons to me?
Can I turn myself from home?
Well, it's time to decide
Is that really the key
All that matters
I can do this on my own
So now to
Complete this journey
Towards the back of my head
Inevitable, the disaster comes
As quickly as it came
Inevitable dangers
Inevitable crimes
Considered a victim
A wide open file
When the truth just hurts
You will confess, not deny
Incinerate, illuminate
Either way is just fine
Truth shall set you free and
I won't push it or let it be
Master the puppet or cut off
The strings self indulgence
What a beautiful thing
I'm sworn to a great divide
I'm sworn to a bottomless tide
How will I turn
When it beckons to me?
Can I turn myself from home?
Well, it's time to decide
Is that really the key
All that matters
I can do this on my own
(I can feel it's coming the way
Here it comes now, 1, 2, 3 GO!)
-Solo-
I'm sworn to a great divide
Sworn to a great divide
How will I turn
When it beckons to me?
Can I turn myself from home?
Well, it's time to decide
Is that really the key
All that matters
I can do this on my own
02 Exile (03:49)
Please don't put it into words
'Cause I fear what you're thinking
It's gonna make it hurt
You better not try to make me
Believe in someone new
Faithless
On my way
Defenseless
From my heart
Won't you be
Heartless
Here with me
Breathless
From this night's misery
This night will
Start the exile
Run!
Now you tell me
What it was worth
Was it meant to be broken
The circle that wouldn't
Shed a single tear
And now you wanna redirect me
From the face of the earth
Not willing to share your time
Not near, not far
I'm just a spectator
Once loved
Just fear, just scars
A sheer introduction to
What I've lost
To what I've lost
Faithless
On my way
Defenseless
From my heart
Won't you be
Heartless
Here with me
Breathless
From this night's misery
This night will
Start the exile
Run!
To notice all the
Things I have to be
-Solo-
Faithless
On my way
Defenseless
From my heart
Won't you be
Heartless
Here with me
Breathless
From this night's misery
This night will
Start the exile
Run!
04 Your Beloved Scapegoat (03:58)
So the idol you preached
Has turned to nothing
It was making your way
Through the dust
When searching
You never thought
It would give you up
Your beloved scapegoat
You never thought
It would interrupt
Your sweet escape
Those were the times when
You cranked it all up
You soared for the moment
Without wings to lift up...
I'm crossing that
Line with a state of mind
One more night missed out
As if I was blind to the fact
It won't wait...
Won't you carry me home?
Did you do it all for nothing
Or did it make you
Sure of something
No matter the subjection
Or the mystery of life
Was just put on hold
You will always treasure the things
That reject you and possess you
Breeding new life through
The eyes of the insane
And it all comes down to you
Those were the times when
You cranked it all up
You soared for the moment
Without wings to lift up
But tonight
I'm crossing that line
With a state of mind
One more night missed out
As if I was blind to the fact
It won't wait
Won't you carry me home?
Nothing can touch such
A mind in distress
Won't you find another
Bright solution
Crossing that river
Get away with what's left
Eternally stuck in the
Realm of confusion
-Solo-
But tonight
I'm crossing that line
With a state of mind
One more night missed out
As if I was blind to the fact
It won't wait
Won't you carry me home?
I'm crossing that line
With a state of mind
One more night missed out
As if I was blind to the fact
It won't wait
Won't you carry me home
Carry me...
05 The Pittsburgh Syndrome (02:46)
I woke up that morning
Feeling slightly stressed
Getting in an urge to just
Bail out completely pissed
What did I know?
That night we made our way
Through the darkness
And the shame
Don't let yourself run away
Cause we have another
Game to play
That night you
Would make us say
'Fuck all the details
Get on with the show'
It doesn't matter if
The mind's at stake
Cause we had another
Round to make
There was no way
We could fail
Fuck all the details
Get on with the show
The Pittsburgh syndrome!
An hour of destruction
Intoxicated bliss
Moments of sobriety
Would cease to exist
A sudden turn
Would make that city
Burn with souls on fire
Relentless desire
Don't let yourself run away
Cause we have another
Game to play
That night you
Would make us say
'Fuck all the details
Get on with the show'
It doesn't matter if
The mind's at stake
Cause we had another
Round to make
There was no way
We could fail
Fuck all the details
Get on with the show
The Pittsburgh syndrome!
-Solo-
Don't let yourself run away
Cause we have another
Game to play
That night you
Would make us say
'Fuck all the details
Get on with the show'
It doesn't matter if
The mind's at stake
Cause we had another
Round to make
There was no way
We could fail
Fuck all the details
Get on with the show
06 I, Vermin (03:38)
Hide away from the restless
They're making trails as they've failed once again
Behind that colony of well shaped nightmares
Is where the vermin depends
[Bridge:]
High and low
They'll bring the tooth and nail
Fast or slow
Will you give me just one damn second to bail out of reach?
Before I'll do as you please... cause...
[Chorus:]
Me eyes call for definition
They will capture the vile as they seek
Down low lurks the opposition
I just hope you won't categorize me
The truth is ugly, raw and malignant
The message is as cold as despair
'Cause you're no better than anyone I've ever known
If only love could be real...
[Bridge:]
High and low
They'll bring the tooth and nail
Fast or slow
Will you give me just one damn second to bail out of reach?
Before I'll do as you please
High and low
They'll bring the tooth and nail
Fast or slow
one damn second to bail out of reach?
Before I'll do as you please
'Cause I might be wrong...
Am I the only one who sees that the damage is done
And it won't be long...
Before I lose my faith and make a run become like you...
[Solo]
[Chorus:]
My eyes call for definition
They will capture that vile as they seek
Down low lurks the opposition
I just hope you won't categorize me
High and low
They'll bring the tooth and nail
Fast or slow
Will you give me just one damn second to bail out of reach?
Before I'll do as you please
High and low
They'll bring the tooth and nail
Fast or so slow
Give me just one damn second to bail out of reach?
Before I'll do as you please
07 Light Discovering Darkness (03:50)
Light, time is on my side
Well you better believe it's true
Cause you can't make me run
They call it life
Covered 'till it makes you blind
Do you wanna make the trip outside
Then you better start running
I won't let it distract me...
[Chorus:]
Out...
I can't believe it's true
You better just shut it...
Out...
They won't let me pull it through
Shut it... out
Can I push my luck on you
Don't shut me out...
Again...
'Cause you better shut it out...
Define...
The shelter as the time goes by
It will change 'till you can't decide
Now you're left without nothing...
I won't let you distract me...
[Chorus:]
Out...
I can't believe it's true
You better just shut it...
Out...
They won't let me pull it through
Shut it... out
Can I push my luck on you
Don't shut me out...
Again...
Cause you better shut it...
I feel it too, I feel it
I feel it too, no I can't see anything true...
I won't let it distract me...
I won't let you distract me...
[Chorus:]
Out...
I can't believe it's true
You better just shut it...
Out...
They won't let me pull it through
Shut it... out
Can I push my luck on you
Don't shut me out...
I can't believe it's true
They won't let me pull it through
Don't shut me out...
Out...
Don't shut me out...
Again...
Cause you better shut it...
08 As the Sleeper Awakes (04:18)
The decision is mine, will I remain the same
The cost of getting forced into something that used to be a game
The fragments of joy, the fragments of faith
I can still recall when I feel that...
I'm present, I just know
If there's anything I should regret
I would've been told
Counting hours, counting days
Will you listen, will you play
Is there anyone, who can get it done
Taking me back to the place that I once belonged
What if tomorrow was gently taken
Away from me, away from me...
Awaking the memories...
Was I meant to get old...
Repressing the agonies...
Start breaking the mold
[Chorus:]
And the faith, comes back to life
Still waiting for, a constant thing to react
But I will save myself some of the time
Keep aiming for, a constant thing to react
As the sleeper awakes
Mesmerized by the memories that walk by my side
Shelter comes easy
As soon as sadness sets in
By an impulse the search will begin
Searching, collecting all the things
I possess a Detecting, the insight I've earned in distress
Learning, finally I know how to breathe
Turning, turning away from the greed...
So unpleasant, it strikes whenever I call
So relentless, as I fall
A grand awakening, will kill it all
Nevertheless
I'll be my own precious god...
I can't resist, the things I've missed
And I'll make sure that it will last the time, I will insist
What if tomorrow, was taken away from me
Away from me, away from me
Awaking the memories...
Was I meant to get old...
Repressing the agonies...
Start breaking the mold
(Start breaking the mold)
[Chorus:]
And the faith, comes back to life
Still waiting for, a constant thing to react
But I will save myself some of the time
Keep aiming for, a constant thing to react
As the sleeper awakes
09 Silent Bullet (03:26)
Pay not attention
For what it's worth
'Cause whatever I'll say
Turn into dirt
Here comes the sane
Here comes the remains
Ball and chain
Here comes the remains
Here comes the sane
Here comes the remains
Ball and chain
It's all the same
Since when did my life have a meaning?
Since when did I have a choice?
To make my way through this ravaged landscape
As a disposable toy
The sun will embark
With a trembling notion
Claiming I once had it all...
[Chorus:]
Time, giving it time
We are still miles apart
Insatiable
It's just fine, aware of what's mine
Can't make it more obvious
The snare broken by lust
Since when did my life have a meaning?
Since when did I have a choice?
To make my way through this ravaged landscape
As disposable toy
You've had your countless hours
I've had my moments of grace
But every time it devours
It'll catch that ugly face
The sun will embark
With a trembling notion
Claiming I once had it all, but...
I reach for defiance, I reach for despair
There is nothing that can keep me from making the ultimate sacrifice
All I want, all I would ever dare to accomplish
Is in the hands of the deceiver...
[Solo]
[Chorus:]
Time, giving it time
We are still miles apart
Insatiable
It's just fine, aware of what's mine
Can't make it more obvious
The snare broken by lust
Giving it time
We are still miles apart
Insatiable
It's just fine
10 Sick Heart River (04:12)
Leaning against what' next to me
Have no fear, won't see
Will it eat me up or bring me down
I'll gradually make up my mind, my mind...
Revolution within myself
I'm puzzled, still overwhelmed
By the stories that you would tell
They always send me something
Revolution within myself... within myself...
Let me give my best, I won't depend
This time I will make another plan to find
What's left and nothing less, still I won't tread
I'll find my own way to make it all worthwile
Call, call on me darkness
Wait, wait on me now...
Won't you say...
Say that I'm sorry
'Cause I won't wait
I've found another form
It's breeding life
It must have been there
The whole time when I was dead
'Cause I was pledged to emptiness
And now I've let myself
To see all the things
I just didn't expect
Still I remember, still I repent
I'd walk through
The never the never
Despite my descent
Reborn, acknowledging the part of me that once was lost
I have repressed, too many years, my utopia was within my grasp
Doomed in absentia, left to be sentenced
Still rising to cherish, all the things I have left...
[Solo]
Call, call on me darkness
Wait, wait on me now...
Won't you say...
Say that I'm sorry
'Cause I won't wait
11 20 More Miles (04:38)
Here lies the quest right upon you
It's time to make a stand
Now whether you like it or not
You better deal with it once again
This time is essential, this time it's for real
In life there's just questions
Successively wasting your time
On gradual restraints of the mind
I let my feelings show
Don't know where I'm at
It doesn't give you the right to use me
I know I'm better than that
My emptiness feels so whole, so your predictable questions
So give me no lectures, don't you sell me your god
20 more miles in the rain
20 more getting drained
I can't redeem myself
But I still can't figure it out
20 miles in the rain
20 more getting sane
I should've revealed myself
But I still can't figure it out
Don't let me go through this with nothing
Nothing to salvage a possible fall
So I still have my conscience to guide me
It concerns me enough to believe
I let my feelings show
Don't know where I'm at
It doesn't give you the right to use me
I know I'm better than that
My emptiness feels so whole, so your predictable questions
So give me no lectures, don't you sell me your god
20 more miles in the rain
20 more getting drained
I can't redeem myself
But I still can't figure it out
20 miles in the rain
20 more getting sane
I should've revealed myself
But I still can't figure it out(2X)
12 Martyr (04:17)
Take the angels away
The only ones who knew
Already knew my name
Time we know for a war
To be the only one who ever knew the way
Don't be a martyr it will be alright
I can see you run out
But still you make the most of making the most
I don't want no body to haunt me
Every time I see your face in the night
I know
It's all the voice in my head
Time time it's only time
I feel the colorful things that I did
I know its all the voice in my head
Take the anger away
So many come so many seem to go that way
It's on now
Digging a hole in the soul
To see the confines of the mental overload
You melted it all down
I don't want no body to haunt me
Every time I see your face in the night
I know
It's all the voice in my head
But still you make the most of making the most
I can see you've run out
But still you make the most of making the most
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