Released By: Nuclear Blast
Released: 28 August 2015
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Links: Soilwork.org , Facebook , Twitter , Youtube
Line Up:
Björn Strid – Vocals
Sven Karlsson – Keyboards
Dirk Verbeuren – Drums
Sylvain Coudret – Guitar
David Andersson – Guitar
Markus Wibom – Bass
Track List:
01. The Ride Majestic
02. Alight in the Aftermath
03. Death in General
04. Enemies in Fidelity
05. Petrichor by Sulphur
06. The Phantom
07. The Ride Majestic (Aspire Angelic)
08. Whirl of Pain
09. All Along Echoing Paths
10. Shining Lights
11. Father and Son, Watching the World Go Down
12. Of Hollow Dreams (bonus)
13. Ghosts and Thunder (bonus)
These Swedish Melodic Death Metallers have maintained a strong quality within their twenty-year career. Despite going through a few different lineup changes, including the latest Ola Flink’s departure from the group in June, they have evolved. Known for incorporating the traditional Melodic Death Metal style with elements of Metalcore has made them a distinctive act. Celebrating twenty years strong as a band since their formation in 1995, it was time for the tenth studio album, The Ride Majestic.
An epic of an album which showcases their growth over the years, perhaps one of their best to date. With Strid’s sustainable delivery on vocals throughout each and every track has truly captivated my listening and he could be considered as one of the best Melodeath vocalists. Moving along with a consistent mood within the album as emotional themes of death, survival, hatred, revenge that anyone, including myself would find themselves headbanging and feeling a lot better with life after a few listens. Ongoing intensified guitar riffs, which blasts it’s way to unleash the Melodic Death Metaller wizards that they are with such an invigorating rhythm.
Opening up with the titled track with an American Rock vibe as it blasts into a more Metalcore sound as Strid’s vocals gruels in. The switch up between singing and screaming enticed the melody, which made it entertaining and engaging. Bleeding into the next “Alight in the Aftermath,” with speedy ponderous drumming and duelling guitar solos had me hooked right from the start. After two raged induced tracks, the pace slowed down slightly during “Death in General.” Coming in as a ballad-esque tune, with soothing guitar riffs which the melody slowly picks up. The lyrics were poetically written, with strong thoughts of death including, “How about bribing souls apart Like death in general It’s bound to shatter what you know ‘Cause pain is nothing Recalling the way we used to dance Through gutters all built in distress I still mourn.”
Turning it back up to aggression with “Enemies in Fidelity,” and “Petrichor by Sulphur,” which embraced the duelling guitar riffs, melodic chaos and howling vocals. At this point, the production quality remained strong and nothing seemed a though it was a filler track. When “The Phantom” ripped open with it’s phantasmic screams and poetic lyrics, “I live to awake you. You son of time. As soon as I see you. You draw the lines. Through chambers of delusions. Your nurturing shadow. You give me closure and shelter in fire.” This track specifically led me to believe it was about one howling at the Phantom, begging for answers and hating that after suffering in this cruel world, we only have death as a reward.
On “The Ride Majestic (Aspire Angelic),” maintained a catchy chorus, and slightly danceable melody where one can definitely find themselves headbanging. I also enjoyed how the opening and closing notes were exactly the same. “Whirl of Pain” and “All Along Echoing Paths,” continued with the aggression that stressed on the subjects of pain and betrayal. “Shining Lights” is my personal favorite track. It carries on with the melodic changes including another catchy chorus. To me it felt it was discussing on the subject of moving on and transitioning to a new beginning. The final track, “Father and Son, Watching the World Go Down,” has a different vibe than the rest by portraying the world crumbling with the use of demonic screams, and instrumental rumbles.
I was intrigued and loved the differentiated melodies and mix ups between Melodic Death Metal to Metalcore throughout. Erupting in nearly fifty minutes of brutality, that epically insights the listener as I was personally hanging off of my seat and finding to put it on repeat quite a few times. A top notch and high quality Metal album, which could very well be one of the top ten best in 2015 to date.
Written by: Zenae Zukowski
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