SOILWORK, THE FORSAKEN & NMEMIC
Camden Underworld – 29th February 2004
Urggh! who put flea powder in my y fronts!!! Soilwork get itchy
Tonight was the Soilwork’s first headline show in London and part of a full European tour. Congrats to them for stepping up from support slots (reviewed elsewhere) and judging by this cracking performance the major league beckons.
First we were treated to a couple of sterling support acts. Nmemic are from Denmark and parade a hybrid form of metal that seems to span death, trash, heavy and nu-metal. Granted they are not staggeringly original but this is fresh and aggressive and the vocalist bites like a pitbull. Technically all bases are covered and the lead work reminds me at times of Entombed’s classic sophomore effort “Clandestine” although I cannot put my finger on precisely why. Convincing stuff.
I have to confess that The Forsaken were a new one on me even for someone who suggests he is Lord Of The Metal Underground but they are quite simply devastating. Playing blackened death metal the performance and stage presence is backed up by some superb musicianship with the sticksman rivalling Martin Lopez of Opeth for sheer exuberance. Whilst they may be Swedish (yes!!) they do not fall into the melodic post-death metal bracket of the likes of the headliners, In Flames and Dark Tranquillity, they are far more dark and sinister - heavy duty bloodlust. They also have “One More Kill” which is one hell of a highlight, an absolute belter of a song which even comprises a catchy chorus. Whilst I cannot tell you much about their aesthetic and belief system the brilliant cover of Metallica’s “Blackened” not only shows off an influence but makes you realise how good the Four Horsemen once were. Their third album “Traces of the Past” looks like one to get yer sticky mits on. This band shred.
I was curious to see how Soilwork would get on tonight. Live they have always been decent however I have tended to feel that some magic was missing. Tonight though they hit the stage like a bull in a china shop. Significant efforts have been made on stage presence since their last support slot here. Where in the past they have been rather reliant on the oafish antics of bassist Ola Flink (who challenges Ben Ward of Orange Goblin to this crown albeit he doesn’t drink Skol) the whole front line makes the effort and the rapport with the crowd here is exceptional. Speed’s clean vocals have also improved immeasurably backed by various axemeisters during the evening. With no product to promote (at least not one in 9 months!) they put on a set that showcases their entire career. The music is brilliant, the style being so obvious, and I maintain the view that as songwriters they are up there with the best. “Follow the Hollow” is simply monstrous almost inciting a riot and the organ in “Distortion Sleep” shows that there has always been a fine line between death metal and The Stranglers!! And f**k’ yeah! for “The Flameout” and “B**tard Chain”, towering riffs, pummelling mid-sections and choruses that even Rammstein would kill for. The world will soon be their proverbial oyster.