I just couldn't believe when boss Steinmetal asked me to make a review for new SOILWORK album, "The Ride Majestic". It's because they're one of the precursors of modern Melodic Death Metal, and one of the best bands on Metal for the last 10-15 years. Even those so called old skulls complainers from old school Metal must really respect the band. You really don't need to like their music, but must respect them.

And once more, the Swedish sextet from Gothenburg created a fine and robust album. To be extremely honest, "The Ride Majestic" is a bit far from their Death Metal roots, bring some influences from Metalcore and some other modern Metal styles, but do not worry: they evolved a lot again, but their personality is still here, untouchable. And to those who know them well, it's not a new thing, for SOILWORK is in a constant process of evolution. It became more abrasive and modern, but their beautiful and touching melodies are here, and it one of the best works of Björn "Speed" Strid as a singer, because he is using a great range of his voice, both on harsh screams and grunts as in the melodic and tender clean vocals. But Sylvain Coudret and David Andersson are creating some great and thundering riffs and excellent melodic solos. Sven Karlsson is doing fine on his keyboards as Markus Wibom is perfect on his bass guitar. And Dirk Verbeuren is the band's powerhouse, guiding perfectly the tempos with an excellent technique. So we can say that they are one of the finest bands on extreme Metal nowadays.

Jens Bogren did the album's production, the mixing and mastering, so we can say that the sound quality is near perfection: heavy and clear as their music demands, with a wise choice of each instrument tunes. And the artwork created by Róbert Borbás is very good, besides it seems so simple at first look. Weight, melodies, energy, catching choruses... All of these can be found here, and as their best songs, I truly recommend you to hear the entire album (but beware, because it can really surprise you at first hearing), but to the ones who needs a push, "The Ride Majestic" with it deeper feeling on tempos along aggressive guitars; the rebel and intense "Death In General" (with a great work done on keyboards and rhythmic session, using some melodic and emotional moments with clean vocals contrasting with ferocious guitars), "Enemies In Fidelity" (this one is something for long date fans, remind some of the latest works), the hooking "Petrichor By Sulphur", the introspective and intense "Whirl Of Pain" (with a more emotional side contrasting with heir personal ferocity, showing another face from the precious diamond called SOILWORK), and the perfect "Father and Son WatchingTthe World Go Down".

But put the album to repeat time and time again, for it is excellent! Is it a classic? Only time will answer this question. For now, I just can say that "The Ride Majestic" is another masterpiece from SOILWORK.