I generally perfer the albums after Arise!!! But that's just me, and I seem to be in the minority.
Yes
Against is really awefull. In my books it would be the equilivant of Risk or Youthanasia to Megadeth, it's just not at all good.
No
Nation is nothing like Beneath the Remains. I do like Nation, I think it's a great album, but lacks the raw energy that Remains produced. It's clean and well produced. On a plus note they have tone down the Tribal music.
Soulfly be weary. I also rather like these guys as well, but they aren't for everyone, in fact most purist metalheads don't like Soulfly at all and have nicknamed them Soulkorn or Kornfly.
Here's a run down of the albums:
1) Soulfly - Self Titled - Heavy album. Most songs are decent. 2 real experimental songs on. One is a Raggae/Metal mix, unfortunately I forget the name. The other is
Bleed a Rap/Metal mix, extra warning Fred Durst sings in it.
2) Back to the Primitive - Completely experimental album. From great thrash songs like
Terrorist and
Back to the Primitive to soft and instumental songs like
Son Song or
Soulfly II to Rap like
In The Memory Of... Most hate this album with a passion. Download Terrorist, it's worth it. Tom Araya sings with Max.
3) 3 - I don't like this album, and don't listen to it so I can't really tell you if there is any good songs. No rap though. Less experimenting. Some ppl like it better than the last.
On a Side note Soulfly don't do solo's.
I hope that this has helped you.
edit: Nation is worth listening to first. Ask a friend, or download a few songs, then you can really judge the album for yourself.
#2 edit: That Raggae/Metal mix song from Soulfly's first album is called Prejudice.