Search - Soilwork :: A Predator's Portrait

One of the best the Genre had to Offer... (4.5 Stars)

Sunshine the Werewolf | Canada | 02/16/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"SOILWORK - A Predator's Portrait

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Pretty much an all around awesome album! Even though nothing entirely new is offered, since fellow musicians such as ATG, In Flames and Dark Tranquillity having already laid much of the ground work for the genre. Yet Soilwork was able to make incredible album on all accounts.



- Stunning musicianship, especially the guitar duo Peter and Ola, both are even flashier on this release then on Natural Born Chaos, (The other album that I have by them.) Also, Vocalist Byron (Aka Speed) has on of the best voices the genre has to offer. Besides his powerful raspy growl he has a great singing voice (This is apparently the first album he introduced the clean-channel vocals...) I also like how they are used more sparingly on this album (As opposed to N.B.C.) Drumming is actually quite varied and he offers a bit more than the traditional beats expected by the genre. The Bass provides a great wall of sound though it, in itself, is quite standard. And last are the Keys which are used appropriately to further thicken the bands wall the sound.



- Fantastic song writing, in fact, there is not one bad song on this album. Tracks like: Needlefeast and Shadowchild are par with anything written by any of the Melodic Death greats I mentioned above, truth is, every single song on this disk is listenable and each really brings its own artistic merit.



Like I had said earlier this album doesn't really break any ground in the genre, but it was par, if not exceeded the genre standards. Basically, it just kicks a lot if ass. (Similar to what Unearth's - Oncoming Storm was to Metal-core)



Favorite Songs: A Predator's Portrait, Shadowchild, Bastard Chain and Needlefeast.

-4.5 Stars.





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Soilwork's best album

Jeremy Brackeen | Cameron, WI United States | 03/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"God, I love Soilwork. They are one of the best melodic death metal bands ever, and I just can't get enough of these guys. I went out and picked up "A Predator's Portrait" over the weekend and I must say after listening to it numerous times, this is without a doubt Soilwork's best album of all time compared to the other three albums (Natural Born Chaos, Figure Number Five, and Stabbing The Drama) that I own. Every song on this album is melodic, ferocious, and in your face. Bjorn "Speed" Strid is an awesome vocalist. Not only can he scream and growl ferociously, he's also got a great clean singing voice as well (this is actually the first Soilwork album to ever introduce his clean voice). Ola Frenning and Peter Wichers are really on fire on the guitars here. They just let off a barrage of fast heart pounding guitar riffs that will grab you right by the throat, and endless leads and solos that will make your jaw drop in sheer delight. On here you've also got good bass from Ola Flink, awesome keyboard effects from Carlos Holmberg, and awesome drumming from Henry Ranta.



The Songs



1. Bastard Chain - The opening song, and my favorite. The drumming is very intense. Love the solos BTW. 10/5

2. Like The Average Stalker - 5/5

3. Needlefeast - 5/5

4. Neurotica Rampage - 5/5

5. The Analyst - 5/5

6. Grand Failure Anthem - 5/5

7. Structure Divine - 5/5

8. Shadowchild - Love the chorus on here. 5/5

9. Final Fatal Force - 5/5

10. A Predator's Portrait - Great closing song. This features guest vocals from Opeth's Mikael Akerfeldt. 5/5



Overall a great album, and a true work of art.



Anyways if you're a true metalhead like myself, this album is yours to have. Buy it now!!



Also be sure to check out these albums as well:

Blackwater Park - Opeth

Slaughter of the Soul - At The Gates

Whoracle - In Flames

Damage Done - Dark Tranquility

Anthems of Rebellion - Arch Enemy



LONG LIVE SOILWORK!!"

The best Gothenburg has to offer

Mike | Harrisonburg, VA | 04/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have three words for you: BUY THIS ALBUM. A Predator's Portrait put Soilwork on the death metal map, and for good reason. This album is by far their best, even considering their other stellar works, namely Natural Born Chaos and Stabbing the Drama. Every song on A Predator's Portrait will smack you right in the face. Starting with the in-your-face opening track [...] Chain, Soilwork never lets up for a minute, infusing every song with catchy rhythms, energetic vocals and astonishing riffs. Speed Strid is one of the most talented vocalists in heavy metal, and Ola Flink is at his best here on the bass.

Soilwork has often been overshadowed by fellow Swedish death metal juggernaut In Flames, but their ability to put out consistently mind-blowing albums has brought them to the forefront of the international metal scene. Seeing them live is second to none, but they're great in the studio as well, and this album really showcases that. This is one of my favorite albums of all time, staying true to the essence of heavy metal while bringing an upbeat, exhilarating style to the table. Every metal fan needs to own this album, period."