SOILWORK - The Panic Broadcast CD Review
ARTIST: Soilwork
TITLE: The Panic Broadcast
LABEL: Nuclear Blast
YEAR: 2010
RATING: 7 / 10
REVIEWED BY: Caroline Restiaux
Soilwork's 8th album will have many people talking about it as a somewhat of a comeback type of deal. I think it is what it is and like most bands there's always a period where you try different things, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I guess after hitting the charts with Figure Number Five and Stabbing The Drama they thought they were on to something, maybe radio friendly tunes was something they were going after?
As always Bjorn "Speed" Strid's vocals alternate from guttural growls to clean vocals flawlessly. I would have to say though that his clean pipes sound like they are loosing a bit of flavor over the years. I am so glad to see that Peter Wichers is back on this album because unlike Sworn To A Great Divide (which I kind of wish to forget ever existed) it seems that balls are back. The drumming has also taken a bit of a turn, for the better. It seems that someone has put a fire under Verbeuren's feet and the beats sound much brighter, tighter and holy shit faster. The cd still has the typical melodic elements and poppy chorus' that have become a bit of a trademark for the band.
My fave tracks on the album you ask? Easily Two Lives Worth Reckoning and Deliverance Is Mine. From 'Let This River Flow' on the album becomes a bit slower however the tunes do not lack any great musicianship at all.
I can't sit here and honestly say that this is their best work ever because it truly is not. It's better then the last couple though so that merits going out and buying album if you are a fan of the band. If you are still new to Soilwork and like heavier tunes then look into their first couple of titles like Steelbath Suicide and The Chainheart Machine.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Late For The Kill
02. Two Lives Worth Of Reckoning
03. The Thrill
04. Deliverance Is Mine
05. Night Comes Clean
06. King Of The Threshold
07. Let This River Flow
08. Epitome
09. The Akuma Afterglow
10. Enter Dog Of Pavlov