The Chainheart Machine

WOW! That was the first thing I said when I heard the opening, title track to "The Chainheart Machine". I'm usually a sucker for gimmicky intros anyway (see Cradle of Filth's "Midian" and Cryptopsy's "None So Vile"), but the crushing, industrial, almost machine like sound that comes crashing down on you builds up anticipation from the get go. You are just waiting for it to explode and explode it does! An intense thrashy, melodic riff and some awesome lyrics and vocals build up throughout the song, leading into one of the most impressively original guitar solos I've heard in a long while. The main riff, like so many others on this album just pummels you into submission. The production isn't perfect, but is still crisp and heavy enough to pack a decent punch.Technically, Soilwork's forumla here isn't overwhemingly different to that of their first album. That said however, there IS something different. The riffs are just...well...much better! They are catchy, and most importantly, nearly every song has an individual quality that stands out from the rest. Whereas the only song that stuck out on the first album for me was "Steelbath Suicide", I can remember almost every song on this album. "Bulletbeast" is an intense, fast paced aural assault, complete with an epic solo. Like many Soilwork solos, they are usually in two parts, overlapping eachother at the change, with both guitarists getting a shot at impressing. Quite often they double up with equally impressive results."Millionflame" is up there with one of my favorite Soilwork songs. Whilst it doesn't form the basis of the song, I can't get enough of the intro. Both guitars tackle an almost spacey sounding lead, whilst the drums pound out a nice groove. Then the song kicks into some form of neo-thrash. This song is somewhat of an epic. Lots of great riffs, all working into eachother almost seamlessly. And then, the highlight of the song for me, just after an amazing guitar solo (naturally), the song breaks down completely. As the guitars fade out, and you think the song is done, in comes a groovy little bass solo. Then WHAM! I can't be the only person who gets a massive adrenaline kick out of hearing Strid shouting "COME ON! LET'S GO!". Ok so it's not the most original lyric in the world, but everytime I hear it I want to be in the middle of a mad mosh pit, going mental! I get lost in my own little world with this song, and to me, this is the mark of an excellent metal song.I'm onto my fourth paragraph now and I've only made it through three songs so far! This is because nearly each and every song deserves a paragraph of it's own. But I don't want to bore you with details. Needless to say there is a range on here. Most song's have the typical death-thrash feel on here at some point, but there are plenty of nice tempo changes, "Spirits of the Future Sun" probably being the best example of this. The lyrics, whilst being simplistic, are clever in that they draw you in and beg you to scream along! KILL! KILL! GENERATION SPEEDKILL!ANY fan of swedish melodic-death or thrash NEEDS this album. It is not Soilwork's best, but is most definately essential. On this album have begun to form their own unique sound. It's not quite perfect, but it's not far off, and this is only their second album.

This is the first record on which Soilwork started to develop what would later become a definite sound of their own. It takes the impressive keyboard layered industrial thrash sound they had on earlier effort 'Steelbath Suicide' and ups the industrial ante, while adding far greater technical skill and variation to the thrashing. It's full of great songs, like 'Machinegun Majesty', 'The Chainheart Machine' itself, and the jaw-dropping 'Millionflame', but like most great records it'll take you a while before you've totally got your head around it. This CD doesn't come recommended to people who want an easy ride (or perhaps people with a nervous disposition. Some of this is absolutely mental), as it's very complicated and could initially sound like a complete wall of noise due to the multiple layers of sound that are all going on at once, but persevere and you'll find a technically brilliant, uplifting and more importantly rocking album poking out from under the initial craziness. Definitely recommended if you've never heard Soilwork before, or if you like bands like Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad or Darkane.

This is my second favourite melo death album, second only to the mightiness of In Flames' Jester Race. The songs grabs you with fast, powerful guitar playing and sudden half growling, half screeching vocals which although annoying at first grow on you and become incredibly catchy. The best song on the album is probably Millionflame, but they're all good!