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Soilwork

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Soilwork

Soilwork are a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are currently signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork (a play on words meaning, "working from the ground up")[1] to better fit their sound.

Their sound is a fusion of the classic Gothenburg metal sound with power-groove riffs of late 1970s, early 1980s British, and European metal. However, in their most recent albums Soilwork have also introduced elements from American alternative metal and adopted a more melodic sound. Their most recent work has more singing and lighter melodies than their earlier work, as well as a more polished production.[2] Because of their more recent changes in sound, they have been likened to their label mates In Flames, labeled metalcore in some instances and even faced scrutiny for "selling out" by fans.[3][4]

Background

Formative years

Formed in late 1995, originally under the name Inferior Breed. Their sound, as explained by "Speed" was influenced by such bands as Pantera, Meshuggah and Carcass.[2] Upon changing the band their name in late 1996 to Soilwork they began to make music more influenced by melody.[2] Soilwork began work on a demo entitled In Dreams We Fall into the Eternal Lake. Before the recording ever took place, bassist Carl-Gustav Döös left the group. Guitarist Peter Wichers handled the bass tracks on the demo. In a chance encounter, Soilwork would meet Michael Amott of Arch Enemy fame, who owned a record store in Helsingborg and would give him a copy of their demo.[2] This ultimately led the band to signing with Listenable Records. In 1998, Soilwork added keyboardist Carlos Holmberg and bassist Ola Flink to complete their line-up. The band recorded and released their debut album Steelbath Suicide in May of that year. Soon after, guitarist Ludvig Svartz and drummer Jimmy Persson departed the band, citing "different musical opinions."[5] Persson was replaced by Henry Ranta, while Svartz was replaced by none other than Peter Wichers' uncle, Ola Frenning.[6] The band toured throughout Europe in support of the album with bands such as Darkane, Naglfar and Krisiun.[7] In 2000, Soilwork laid down their second full length LP, The Chainheart Machine. The album received critical acclaim and eventually landed them a recording contract with major label Nuclear Blast, allowing the band to tour with acts such as Defleshed, Cannibal Corpse and even a short tour with fellow melodic death metallers Dark Tranquillity.[3]

Breakthrough

In 2000, after exhausting themselves with touring, Soilwork once again entered the studio to record their third full length album, A Predator's Portrait. The release was well received and brought Soilwork to the forefront of the melodic death metal scene, alongside label mates In Flames.[8] The band played that year's installment of the Wacken Open Air Festival along with touring extensively with Annihilator and Nevermore. Following up on their success, Soilwork entered the studio again in late 2001 to record the follow-up to A Predator's Portrait with Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad) and Fredrik Nordstrom.[9] Natural Born Chaos was released in early 2002, to much acclaim as well. Soilwork again toured throughout Europe in support of the effort. They also toured throughout the United States for the first time. First with bands Hypocrisy, Scar Culture and Killswitch Engage during the summer,[10] then alongside label mates In Flames during the fall.[11] After touring, the band commenced once again, shifting their focus on writing and recording their fifth album.

Figure Number Five

In December 2002, Soilwork entered Queenstreet Recording Studios to begin recording their fifth album. The guitars and keyboards were recorded at Queenstreet, while the drum tracking was handled at Dug Out Studios. The bass and vocal tracking was recorded at Studio Fredman, the same place the album was mixed at.[12] After recording, the band began a European tour with Children of Bodom and Shadows Fall throughout April and May.[13] That same month, Figure Number Five was released. In early June, Henry Ranta would leave the band, to focus more on his personal life. He would be replaced a week later by Richard Evensand.[14] The band then embarked on another North American tour with In Flames, Chimaira and Unearth.[15][16] In September, Soilwork toured Japan with Children of Bodom[17] Merely days after a short mini-trek tour through Japan, Soilwork also toured Australia briefly.[18] Later that year, they again toured North America with Chimaira, As I Lay Dying and Bleeding Through.[19] After the tour Richard Evensand left the band to replace drummer Andy Herrick who had recently left Chimaira.[20] Soilwork initially announced his "temporary" replacement as Dirk Verbeuren of Scarve;[21] Verbeuren would later become the full time replacement.[22] In early 2004, singer Björn "Speed" Strid laid down tracks with Italian melodic death metal band Disarmonia Mundi.[23] During April, the band announced that it had extended its contract with record label Nuclear Blast Records.[24] That same month the band again toured Australia alongside Anthrax, Embodiment and Killswitch Engage. In mid 2004, Soilwork toured Japan for a second time alongside Dark Tranquillity.[25] In September, Soilwork entered the studio to record their sixth album, Stabbing the Drama.[26]

Stabbing the Drama

Soilwork entered Dug Out Studios on September 14th to begin recording their sixth full length album. A week later the band changed venues and recorded at Fascination Street Studios.[27] Stabbing the Drama was released in early March 2005. The album entered the Finnish charts at number 19, and in Sweden at number 14.[28] The band also began to gain minor commercial success in the United States. Stabbing the Drama reached #12 and #21 on the Billboard Heatseeker and Independent album charts, respectively.[29] The band partook in the 2005 Ozzfest, performing on the second stage.[30] In November the band toured stateside with Fear Factory.[31] In late 2005, guitarist Peter Wichers left the band due to tour exhaustion and other personal issues.[22] The same month, Bjorn announced he was working on a second album with Disarmomia Mundi.[32] In May 2006, Daniel Antonsson was announced as the replacement for Peter Wichers.[33] Soilwork spent the summer appearing at festivals throughout Europe. In September they toured throughout the UK and Turkey.[34] The band later pulled out of the Turkish dates, due to terrorist attacks and bombings that had recently occurred to tourists there.[35] In October the band trekked North America, this time with Darkest Hour, Mnemic and Threat Signal.[36][37] In March 2007, Soilwork began work on their seventh album.

Sworn to a Great Divide

In early March, Soilwork began laying down the tracks for their seventh album, Sworn to a Great Divide[38] Late in June, Ola Frenning announced that the album was finished.[39] Soilwork will tour in the fall alongside Caliban, Sonic Syndicate, and Dark Tranquillity in a tour dubbed, 'Eastpak Antidote' tour.[40] The album was released on October 19, 2007 through Nuclear Blast Records. The album sports a sound closer to thrash than their previous albums, though still backed by their trademark synth elements.

The band will be taking part on an American tour with co-headliners Lamb of God and Killswitch Engage, as well as DevilDriver. The tour begins on November 28, 2007 at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Massachusetts, and will end at the Santa Ana Star Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico on December 17, 2007.

Band members

Current members

Name Instrument Membership Additional information
Björn "Speed" Strid vocals 1995–present Also the lead singer for bands Terror 2000, Coldseed, Disarmonia Mundi, performed vocals on Darkane's demo as well.
Ola Frenning guitar 1998–present
Daniel Antonsson guitar 2006–present He is also the guitarist for melodic death metal band Dimension Zero.
Ola Flink bass 1998–present
Sven Karlsson keyboards 2001–present
Dirk Verbeuren drums 2004-present Also plays drums for French death metal group Scarve and provided session drums on Sybreed's second album Antares.

Former members

Name Instrument Membership Additional information
Peter Wichers guitar 1995–2005 Quit due to tour exhaustion on Christmas of 2005. He has since gone on to be a producer.
Ludvig Svartz guitar 1995-1998
Jimmy Persson drums 1995–1998
Henry Ranta drums 1998–2003
Carlos Del Olmo Holmberg keyboards, synthesizers 1998-2001
Carl-Gustav Döös bass 1995-1997 Although with the band initially, he quit the band before the recording of their demo, leaving then guitarist Peter Wichers to handle the bass tracks as well.
Mattias Nilsson unknown 1995-1997 Left the band after the demo and went to join bands, A Deeds Pride and Kayser.

Session members

Name Instrument Membership Additional information
Richard Evensand drums 2003–2004 Filled in on tours between Henry Ranta's departure in 2003 and Dirk Verbeuren's arrival in 2004. He has performed with such bands as Therion, Demonoid and after filling in on the tours, would join Chimaira for a short stint.
Andreas Holma guitar 2006 filled in on UK tour '06 after Peter Wicher's departure
David Andersson guitar 2006 filled in on North American tour '06 after Peter Wicher's departure

Guest musicians

Name Contribution Band Additional information
Mikael Åkerfeldt guest vocals Opeth Added additional vocals to the track, "A Predator's Portrait".
Mattias Eklundh guitar Freak Kitchen Was a frequent guest on the first 3 albums, doing a solo on each album. Has done the solo on the songs, "Machinegun Majesty", "Wings of Domain" and "Needlefeast". Also played lead guitar on the song, "No More Angels".
Eskil Simonsson songwriting Covenant Provided samples of the song, "Grand Failure Anthem".
Jens Broman songwriting, guest vocals Construcdead, The Defaced, Hatelight Helped write the songs; "Like the Average Stalker", "Needlefeast", "Neurotica Rampage", and "Shadowchild". He also provided guest vocals on the song "Figure Number Five".
Devin Townsend guest vocals The Devin Townsend Band, Strapping Young Lad Provided guest vocals on the songs; "Black Star Deceiver", and "Soilworker's Song of the Damned".
Richard Larsson tambourine Orphan Gypsy, Skyride, Sabaton Provided a tambourine on the song, "Brickwalker".

Discography

Studio albums

Date of Release Title Label Peak Sales
May 20, 1998 Steelbath Suicide Listenable
Century Media 		- -
February 8, 2000 The Chainheart Machine Listenable
Century Media 		- -
February 20, 2001 A Predator's Portrait Nuclear Blast - -
March 25, 2002 Natural Born Chaos Nuclear Blast - -
May 6, 2003 Figure Number Five Nuclear Blast - -
March 8, 2005 Stabbing the Drama Nuclear Blast - -
October 19, 2007 Sworn to a Great Divide Nuclear Blast #147 5,000+

Demos/EPs

Singles

  • As We Speak (2002)
  • Black Star Deceiver (2002)
  • Light the Torch (2003)
  • Rejection Role (2003)
  • Stabbing the Drama (2005)
  • Nerve (2005)
  • Exile (2007)

References

  1. ^ "What does Soilwork mean?". Soilworkers.com. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  2. ^ a b c d "Soilwork Interview - Metalkings.com". Metalkings.com. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
  3. ^ a b "Soilwork Interview - Rockdetector.com". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
  4. ^ "An Interview with Peter Wichers of Soilwork". Musictap.net. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
  5. ^ "Svartz and Persson quit". Tartarean Desire. 2005-12-12. Retrieved 2007-07-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Wicher's Uncle Frenning Joins". 2005-04-06. Retrieved 2007-07-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Soilwork support Steelbath Suicide". Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  8. ^ Soilwork. "Predator's Portrait brings much acclaim". Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  9. ^ "SOILWORK Complete Work On "Best Album We Ever Did"!". Blabbermouth.net. 2001-12-27. Retrieved 2007-07-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Soilwork to tour US with Hypocrisy". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  11. ^ "In Flames, Soilwork join forces for European/US tour". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  12. ^ "SOILWORK To Commence Recording New CD". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  13. ^ "SHADOWS FALL To Support CHILDREN OF BODOM, SOILWORK In Europe". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  14. ^ "SOILWORK Announce New Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  15. ^ "IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, CHIMAIRA, UNEARTH To Team Up For North American Tour". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  16. ^ "IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, CHIMAIRA: More North American Dates Announced". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  17. ^ "CHILDREN OF BODOM, SOILWORK To Team Up For Japanese Tour". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  18. ^ "SOILWORK To Tour Australia". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  19. ^ "CHIMAIRA And SOILWORK To Team Up For 'Pure Hatred' Tour". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  20. ^ "Former SOILWORK Drummer Explains Decision To Join CHIMAIRA". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  21. ^ "SOILWORK Announce Temporary Replacement For Departed Drummer". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  22. ^ a b "SOILWORK: Guitarist WICHERS Quits, Drummer VERBEUREN Named Full-Time Member". Blabbermouth.net. 2005-12-11. Retrieved 2007-07-23. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ "DISARMONIA MUNDI: Sophomore Album To Include Appearance By SOILWORK Singer". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  24. ^ "SOILWORK Extend Contract With NUCLEAR BLAST". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  25. ^ "DARK TRANQUILLITY, SOILWORK To Team Up For Japanese Tour". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  26. ^ "SOILWORK To Enter Studio In September". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  27. ^ "SOILWORK Begin Recording New Album". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  28. ^ "SOILWORK's 'Stabbing The Drama' Enters Finnish Chart At No. 19". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  29. ^ "Billboard albums". All Music Guide. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  30. ^ "It's Official: MUDVAYNE To Fill 'Mystery Band' Slot On OZZFEST's Main Stage". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  31. ^ "SOILWORK To Miss First Nine Shows Of FEAR FACTORY Tour". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  32. ^ "SOILWORK Frontman Working On New DISARMONIA MUNDI Album". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  33. ^ "SOILWORK: North American Debut With New Guitarist Scheduled For The Fall". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  34. ^ "SOILWORK: U.K., Turkish Dates Announced". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  35. ^ "SOILWORK Postpones Turkish Dates". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  36. ^ "SOILWORK, DARKEST HOUR, MNEMIC: More U.S. Tour Dates Announced". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  37. ^ "THREAT SIGNAL: Video Footage From SOILWORK Tour Posted Online". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  38. ^ "SOILWORK: Drums For New CD Completed; Photos, Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  39. ^ "SOILWORK Completes Work On New Album". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
  40. ^ "CHIMAIRA, SOILWORK, CALIBAN, SONIC SYNDICATE: More 'Eastpak Antidote' Dates Announced". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 2007-07-23.
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