With their epic 2013 release of “The Living Infinite,” the first double album in the history of melodic death metal, Soilwork set the standard by which all of their future records would be judged. The Swedish metalheads are back with their 10th studio album on Nuclear Blast Records, “The Ride Majestic.” Working once again with producer Jens Bogren (Opeth, Amon Amarth), the album has a crisp, clean sound with no frills.
Beginning with the epic and grand title track, the record is darker and more massive in sound than prior Soilwork releases with melancholy lyrics that bemoan of loss and pain. The vocals of Bjorn Speed Strid are, as usual, among the best in the business and the songs still pack those killer melodic hooks. The razor sharp riffs of guitarists David Andersson and Sylvain Coudret are especially blistering on “Petrichor By Sulphur” and “Shining Lights.” A shout out must be given to Dirk Verbeuren who pounds the drums at the speed of light from start to finish. “Whirl of Pain” provides a slower but ultra powerful change of pace but the tune not to be missed is “The Ride Majestic (Aspire Angelic).” The song is an alternate version of the album opener and not an acoustic rendering, as one might expect, but a strong almost blues rock version which really stands out.
“The Ride Majestic” is another solid melodeath record from Soilwork proving once again that they are true masters of the genre.
