Soilwork - The Ride Majestic (2015)^{Release ID: 5197}

I have been enamored with this album for a few weeks now. Originally I glossed over it because I knew Soilwork from their work in the 2000s, namely Stabbing the Drama. Which, while being a decent album, is rather cheesy lyrically (it's called Stabbing the Drama for Christ's sake) and didn't offer much in the way of musical innovation other than your standard MDM fare infused with a bit of Nu Metal.

The Ride Majestic is an entirely different beast though. It offers everything you'd want from a modern Melodeath album: Strong hooks, capable shouts and guitars that almost sing to you more than the vocals do. I've had the main riffs of songs like "Whirl of Pain" or "Death in General" stuck in my head for days now, not to mention Björn Strid's vocals that are just as memorable. The album lacks a bit in the last third, but up until "Whirl of Pain" every song is very distinct while still remaining firmly rooted in the general sound that Soilwork were going for. Both fans of old and those that have never heard of the band should find something they can enjoy here.