Yes, a lot of people seem to share the opinion of The Chainheart Machine and APP being their best work. I can clearly see why, but for some reason those albums do nothing for me. And believe me when I say that I tried to grasp on them, since melodeath (especially Swedish) is one of my biggest interests when it comes to metal. For some reason I enjoyed much more their newer stuff with those clean sang choruses, when they went with their own Reroute, so to say. I also have the impression that they are way more popular in the US than over here in the Europe. A lot of the newer metal bands from the States cite them as their prime influence.
Yeah I'd agree they're more popular in the States. Still, it's a pretty good market to crack. They're fairly popular in Europe but eclipsed by the bands that preceeded them (although DT were support for Soilwork last time I saw them, which was pretty sad). My fav Soilwork record is probably NBC... SBS, TCM and APP are all good without being great. The Chainheart Machine (song) is fucking
heavy live though. Seriously, the start is insane
When it comes to Scar Symmetry, I couldnt agree more. The riffs are practically nonexistant, its mostly straight out chugging which I dont like at all. I mean, I've been into them since the Pitch Black Progress (their 2nd album), and I probably couldnt recall their 5 memorable riffs right now
But when you have vocalist such as Alvestam (or those new guys) at your disposal, its not a problem at all to let him deliver all the melodies. But yes, I would prefer a bit more melodic guitar work for sure when it comes to them.
I guess... Alvestam's rhythms are all fairly similar though. He's got a great singing voice but it's not like he pushes any boundaries with his singing. It's just rare to have a genuinely talented singer in a band playing SS's type of music.
As far as it goes about commercial success, I really couldnt say. Here where I live melodeath is probably the least favourite genre of metal. But I dont think that they can be compared anyway. Soilwork was formed in the mid 90s, when melodeath was practically just being shaped, and even though they werent exactly as good or memorable like some other bands that come to mind, they've been here for a while now and a lot of people now of them. And like I said, a lot of US bands seem to have been influenced by them. Which isnt that surprising, since Soilwork was always more leaning towards the groove-styled riffs which are way more popular over there. On the other hand we have Scar Symmetry, who were formed in 2004., and most likely directly influenced by those classic melodeath bands. So again, not really comparable.
Indeed it is not comparable, but Soilwork are still commercially more successful than SS for a number of reasons, that was my point
APP is definately the highlight for me. SBS and TCM were good but not that catchy. Chaotic in ATG way. Later works like NBC and FNF were just... trying to get comercial sucess (especially in the US). Few good songs, but nothing I want to hear all the time. STD is solid album, nothing spectacular. STAGD is a fucking disaster. Shitty production and really...shitty songwriting. TPB is a lot better. But again, a few good songs, while other are fillers with good melodies and riffs laying around.
You need to relisten to some of this shit bro
first off STD fucking sucks, and it's not coincidence it abbreviates to a sexual disease. More like Stabbing the Anus... a total pile of fucking wank. I bought it in high hopes and was massively disappointed with how utterly uninspired and boring it was.
Whilst I agree NBC is a commercial step forward, it was the step that finally defined Soilwork as a band. NBC was where they developed their 'sound', where they stopped copying ATG/In Flames and formed their own identity. It also kicks ass as an album, every song is great. The openings to Follow the Hollow and Mindfields are sick
all the chorus's are catchy, great riffs, nice solos... vocals on the album are KILLER. Seriously, it rules
I agree with the rest of your post though
