Sworn To A Great Divide Review

Release Date: Oct 19, 2007
Label: Nuclear Blast
Genres: Metal
Number Of Tracks: 11
Sworn To A Great Divide is a workman-like effort whose spark never erupts into flame.

Sound:	6.5
Lyrics:	6.5
Impression:	7
Overall rating:	6.7
Users rating:	8.9
Comments:	30

overall: 6.3

Featured review by: UG Team, on october 19, 2007

Sound: The production we're offered is pretty much the standard fare for bands from the Gothenburg scene. There's plenty of 'oomph' but with sufficient clarity for this type of music. If anything, I'd like the vocals to be a bit lower in the mix than they are, but that's about it. // 7

Lyrics and Singing: Most of the lyrics seem to deal with personal growth and choosing your own paths, surviving on your own and so on. Nothing overly unusual for this genre, or a band of their age. There're precious few lines in here which really seem to grab you by the balls, which is a shame. Another thing that somewhat bothers me is the rhyming of words, which almost sounds forced at times. An example of this would the chorus to “The Pittsburgh Syndrome”, but it is salvaged by the line “F--k all the details, get on with the show”. The lyrics aren't bad by any means, but they're also nothing special. In four words: middle of the road. // 6

Impression: Soilwork's recent output prior to this album has been somewhat mixed. A bit too cute and not enough punch would be my verdict. This album returns to a somewhat more aggressive attitude (think “Natural Born Chaos”-era and older), which is always nice given the genre. Soilwork have their formula which works good enough for them, but it also gets a bit repetitive. The songs are very predictable and after my compulsory 7-10 listens, I'm frankly quite bored. The performances by the individual members leaves nothing to be desired, all the elements are there but the spark just never bursts into flame. There're several quality tunes thrown in -- the title track, “I, Vermin”, “As the Sleeper Awakes” to name a few. The album flows very well, they certainly know how to string together a tracklist, but as a whole, the album comes across as a workman-like effort. It's good, honest blue-collar working man's metal, but not much more. // 6

overall: 7

Reviewed by: Fragmented, on november 03, 2007

Sound: This is the new Soilwork album and it truly is a masterpiece is many different ways, but it also has it's weaknesses. It is said to said quite like most metal bands coming from the region of Gothenburg. The standard style of the song is a basic intro with screaming vocals, then the chorus with normal toned vocals and the ending with the same screaming and basic tunes as the intro. The overall sound quality is quite good but sounds a bit like Soilwork's other albums. // 6

Lyrics and Singing: When reading all lyrics there are meanings behind them although they aren't so easily identifiable. For personal opinions, the song 'I, Vermin' is a quite good read. Many of the songs are about survival, atleast this is the first impression given. The lyrics summarized are good, but could be better. // 7

Impression: Soilwork are generally a great metal band which aren't given enough recognition in the metal world. The featured CD, 'Sworn To A Great Divine' doesn't obviously sound like other bands and albums produced; it's quite unique in actual fact and it flows quite well for the listener. This album all in all is very good in the musical aspects, but many fans did expect more grip to all songs and more power. The things I personally love about this album and also Soilwork in general, are the way they structure each individual song. The thing I quite dislike are some of lyrics. Following the quideline questiongs for "Overall Impression" yes, if this CD was stolen or lost, I would most probably buy it again. // 8

Comments

[Ishiga]

Snap. I was looking forward to new stuff from these guys.

[_Alec]

I think it's defenently worth buying. It's a bit different from their previous work, but after listening through it a couple of times one notices small and big things that make it a good record

[swedish_death]

only good albums were steelbath suicide and chainheart machine. EVERYTHING else has sucked.

[Insolent]

The new album is a bit generic. I actually preferred Stabbing The Drama.

[Jaz969]

Stabbing the Drama was the most generic shit they've done, although I haven't heard this yet...

[Quackles]

I was not impressed at all by this album the first listen, but I gave it a chance and after a few more listens I actually started to like their new style. What can I say, it's nothing like their other albums, but give it a chance before you start flaming this album. I promise, it will grow onto you. And if you don't want to buy it without hearing it first, you could just go to their myspace and listen to the whole album there.

[devilshalo122]

i like the record...its sounds more like Stabbing The Drama than it does Natural Born Chaos

[HavokStrife]

swedish_death wrote:

only good albums were steelbath suicide and chainheart machine. EVERYTHING else has sucked.

I'm a huge Soilwork fan (going to see them at the KSE/LOG show and I'm kinda sorta PO'ed cuz I know they're gunna OPEN and they're my favorite band on the bill.) and my two favorite albums by them are Natural Born Chaos and A Predators Portrait.

So eat it.

[Jaz969]

HavokStrife wrote:

swedish_death wrote:

only good albums were steelbath suicide and chainheart machine. EVERYTHING else has sucked.

I'm a huge Soilwork fan (going to see them at the KSE/LOG show and I'm kinda sorta PO'ed cuz I know they're gunna OPEN and they're my favorite band on the bill.) and my two favorite albums by them are Natural Born Chaos and A Predators Portrait.

So eat it.

I used to be a huge fan, my favorite albums were Figure Number Five (my favorite) and Natural Born Chaos

[creepingdeth428]

Don't listen to this review, it is very critical, I've heard the CD and it ranks in Soilworks top three. If you like STD, figure number 5, or natural born chaos, then this album is good for you.

[skyillusion]

To be honest, I love this album, it has some great tracks on it. Silent Bullet , 20 More Miles, The Pittsburgh Syndrome, I Vermin and Sick heart River. To be honest with you I love this entire album. There are only two huge differences in this and there past three albums. Not quite as much keyboard and the sound of the guitars, other than that the style and music composition I find to be quite the same.

And agreeing with Jaz, my two favorite albums are Natural Born Chaos and Figure Number Five.

[hotdog_warmcat]

Meh... it's alright... I still can't say they'll ever top A Predator's Portrait.

[Deflection]

The new album just plain sucks. They lost their guitarist which was one of the core songwriters, and now the band has lost their sound and touch. I listened to the whole album on their MySpace page, and NONE of the songs touched me, like Stabbing The Drama ( the song ), Distortion Sleep, Nerve etc. Honestly, now it sound like a mix between Soilwork and In Flames. It's more melodic death metal than melodic metalcore, which was their old genre. Soilwork is dead, I'm going to go cry now.

[Kestral]

Deflection, i hope you know that Soilwork were NEVER Melodic Metalcore. They were Melodic Death Metal.

[ready2breakdown]

yeah nothing really really grabbed when I checked this out a few times on their myspace. All the tracks had this OVERLY similar tone to them. Which isn't always a bad thing, but it was in this case. Theyre such a versatile band. I think with Strid doing the speed metal thing on the side, he wants Soilwork to almost be the opposite. And he toned it down.(only making assumptions to make some sense of it)

Now I do LOVE Stabbing The Drama, every song. And I'll probably end up getting stuck on this CD at some point mostly because I do love that sound of Soilwork. But this album totally left me wanting more, simply because I never got what I knew was there. It's like a total teaser CD like you really can envision the song like totally taking off and for some reason it doesnt. Maybe losing guitarist, maybe he took them to that point...


And by the way! A really plus is the Solo(work)s.lol(im a loser) But it really blew me away though. Some of the best they've had.

[Deflection]

Kestral wrote:

Deflection, i hope you know that Soilwork were NEVER Melodic Metalcore. They were Melodic Death Metal.

I wouldn't count Stabbing The Drama and and Figure Number Five as melodic death metal. I guess the genre is hard to define. Melodic death metal is more fast playing and fingernotes. Soilwork is more power chord based. They used to be pure melo-death around the Chainheart-era, of course I know that. Melodic metalcore: Melodic+metal+hardcore, which in my opinion would describe the Stabbing The Drama-era perfectly in 3 words.

[rokket2005]

I've only listened to it a few times,,,,but I was initially pretty disappointed,,,,I was hoping that Bjorn's work in Disarmonia Mundi might've rubbed off a little and that Soilwork would taken a turn back to Predator's Portrait type of sound with more guitar harmonies and such,,,,instead it seems that Peters leaving only further deteriorated my hopes of that happening

[Murder Soul]

Kestral wrote:

Deflection, i hope you know that Soilwork were NEVER Melodic Metalcore. They were Melodic Death Metal.

Well they aren't anymore...

[ratbob]

you can really hear Daniel Antonsson influence in the new album, and honestly you really couldnt expect Soilwork to not change with the loss of Peter Wichers

Checked.

[jesse_drake]

I personally love this new direction. I didnt think that it could get any better from stabbing the drama but the first time i heard exile, it blew me away and i knew that it was gunna ****ing rock

[thebigal]

This album is lacking something. Stabbing the drama was a great album.

[Baronobeefdip]

You all are retards that don't like this cd. And since you're not in the band there's nothing you can do about it. Either like it or hate it. And so what if it's not like their old stuff? Since Wichers was the main songwriter and left, that IS DEFINATELY going to throw the whole band off!

[Reviewer Pete]

Baronobeefdip wrote:

You all are retards that don't like this cd. And since you're not in the band there's nothing you can do about it.

Allow me to 'lol'.

[fazgaz#]

too be honest all there stuff is good...theyve gained a reputation along with inflames as one of the best of the gothenberg scene....
nothing new is always meant to come out in each album damnit!!

[Holetebetish]

I have to agree with Alec, however if you're expecting another steelbath or chainheart then this album isnt for you. With the addition of daniel, i think they have definately redefined their sound. Personally i started listening at natural born chaos so with my favorite songs being as we speak and song of the damned, i think sworn to a great devide really encompasses their sound and sounds a lot fuller than some of their previous work. I still think soilwork has that same great melodic sound. And all i can say is try to get the bonus album with Martyr on it cause it is great music.

[soilworker6661]

I have been a fan of Soilwork for many years and i have to say eventhough i liked their old stuff(i.e. chainheart and steelbath)i do like this new direction that they are taking even if Peter is not with the band anyone i found the new guy to be exceptional

[Fragmented]

Do you all like the review I wrote?

[Vyre]

1) It's Soilwork despite not having Peter Wichers.

2) It looks back at Stabbing The Drama, and gets away.

3) It looks back at Natural Born Chaos, and gets close.

4) It finally brings back their Steelbath/Chainheart sound as an integral part of an album, instead of just using it in a couple niche tracks (example: Stalemate and Blind Eye Halo in Stabbing The Drama).

5) It's appealing to fans. If you liked Soilwork before Natural Born Chaos, there's something for you in most songs, like The Pittsburgh Syndrome. If your favorite Soilwork song is Distortion Sleep, you'll love As The Sleeper Awakes.

I'm so glad Sworn To A Great Divide turned out like this. Why? Because things can only get better from here on out.

If I were to listen to this album considering nothing else, I'd probably say it's just above average Gothenburg metal. Context, however, makes this Soilwork's greatest accomplishment as a band since Natural Born Chaos(for reference, my favorite is Figure Number Five).

I can only hope Soilwork tour just enough to get used to their new lineup, and then enter the studio once more to deliver the inevitable powerhouse that Sworn To A Great Divide promises.

[henkka_potku]

great cd. I hate those fans who always whine about the new direction the band takes and stops listening... good examples are Metallica and In Flames.