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.
Sworn To A Great DivideFeatured review by: UG Team, on october 19, 2007 3 of 6 people found this review helpful
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
Sworn To A Great Divide
Reviewed by:
Bulletbeast, on august 04, 2009 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: The latest album Soilwork has brought us, "Sworn To A Great Divide" gives us another album filled to the brim with Soilwork's adrenaline-pumping, intense yet melodic Swedish metal that we are custom to receive from this band. Although I'm writing this review long after the album was originally released, I believe it is a necessity to look back on Soilwork's progress so far and to check how fans have looked, and now look upon this new release after they've had some more time to listen it through. Many Soilworkers have found it very hard to appreciate this new release mainly because of it's sound. Why? The deep and epic sound of mainly the guitars has been replaced by a slightly more down-to-earth installation. The consequence is that people feel the recording quality has gone backwards. Actually, the contrary is the truth. Never before has a Soilwork album sounded so tight, clean and polished, not even Stabbing The Drama. Many of us relate this to the similar change of sound Gothenburg band In Flames has gone through. The difference between the transformation of In Flames and the transformation of Soilwork however, is with the mindset and mood of the bands. Where In Flames drastically switches to a different state of emotional mood, Soilwork does not. The mood is still similar to that of for example Stabbing the Drama. And that, is a very good thing. I believe that with this particular new sound Soilwork has managed to show everyone that they are still a unique force within a genre that is so commonly imitated. Although it may feel as if the band has become less heavy due to the guitar sound, the compositions of the songs prove otherwise. Many thrashy riffs have been implemented in this release, namely on songs such as the title track "Sworn To A Great Divide" and "The Pittsburgh Syndrome". Further, although not as prominent as for example on "Figure Number Five", the mainly supportive keyboard parts really make everything sound even twice as sophisticated. The same goes for the bassguitar, although you'll never really hear it individually. The only real problem, is simply the absence of the great guitar solos that we were used to by the former lead guitarist Peter Wichers, who by the way got back with the band some time later. The solos on this album have the same touch, but rarely reach the same epic climax as they did before, and are usually shorter. // 8
Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics are what we are used to from Soilwork's singer and lyricist Bjorn "Speed" Strid. What I've come to see as a recurring pattern in Soilwork's lyrics is that they are filled with clichés with some kind of twist. "Speed" manages to create beautiful metaphors that at the same time are surprisingly new, but can almost sound like as if you'd heard them ten times before. This can be both a weakness and a strength of Soilwork's lyrical style. The lyrics themselves on this album usually are related somehow to the personal individual. This also, is both a strong point and a weak point because the lines can be extremely well felt-through, but can at times also seem almost a bit too self-centered. None of which in the end really matters, because due to the singer's vocal skills and beautifully written singing parts, it would've touched anyway. This vocalist is commonly far underestimated, he has quite some range and a very broad scale of different vocal styles. The vocals seem to top it all off especially on the somehow haunting, dramatic song "Sick Heart River". This, I might add, is a very impressive and original Soilwork track unlike anything you've heard before from these men. Any Soilwork fan, whether they preferred their earlier or their latter work, will agree that Bjorn "Speed" Strid is one hell of a good metal vocalist. // 9
Impression: Overall, I'd say this is a damn brilliant Soilwork release, especially when keeping in mind that original songwriter Peter Wichers didn't participate in the creation of this album. It doesn't have the same level of tremendous guitar solo's that we could hear on previous Soilwork cd's, but it is compensated by many, many other little things that have managed to make this album as magnificent as it is. Perhaps the album stands taller as a whole, and putting these Soilwork tracks among older ones in the same playlist might cause the newer tracks not to somehow stand out as much. But in the end, this album is definately worth buying. And if it did get stolen, or lost... I'd definately buy it again. Hell, yes. // 9
Sworn To A Great Divide
Reviewed by:
Fragmented, on november 03, 2007 1 of 2 people found this review helpful
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
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
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
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
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!
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!!
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.
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
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.
WELL YOU CANT KEEP A GOOD BAND DOWN, MAYBE EVERYONE JUST WANTS THE BAND TO STAY SOUNDING LIKE THERE FAVOURITE SONG, MAYBE YOU NEED TO CHANGE WITH THE MUSIC, DONT BE SCARED TO STEP OUT OF YOUR SHELL, RESPECT THAT THEY STILL DO IT FOR US TO ENJOY. SOILWORK HAVE LOTS OF AWESOME TUNES FOR ALL MOODS OF THE MIND SO I THINK THEY RULE, LOUD AND PROUD
This album is easily one of my favorites next to The Chainheart Machine. I think Soilwork found where they needed to be with this album. It sounded as though they had turned over a new leaf and made an album that almost sounds like a debut album. Soilwork started again with this one. Their new album has ****ed that up and pushed them back.
