It seems to be a common call nowadays for guitarists to go solos and release albums. Following examples, you have GUS G and ALTER BRIDGE's Tremonti. The latest master of the stings is one who doesn't need an introduction; former SABATON guitarist Thobbe Englund. He released 'Sold My Soul' earlier this year and one thing that can be said is that if you're a huge fan of SABATON then expect something completely different. Whether you'll enjoy it or not, that can be decided in all due time.

As mentioned previously Thobbe Englund is mostly noted for his work with Swedish Metal Icons SABATON. He decided to leave this camouflaged donned group last year on good terms; he just wanted to follow his heart and try expanding his own creativeness whilst leading a steady life.

It's hard to know where to start when it comes to describing the quality of his solo album 'Sold My Soul'. It starts off in a mediocre sense; there seems to be a lack of consistency with the selection of tracks, a mish mash of Doom and Hard Rock. It would be OK if the songs were hair raising and spine tingling, in this case not so much. The melodies sound like songs that have been released already. Not the most original sounding tracks but then not completely terrible

It does start to get a little better when 'Steel And Thunder' starts to play; it has a great rhythm and melody. It seems after that the melodies become less mediocre, yet there is still some confusion on the album as to where the direction of the tracks goes to. 'The Flame' really highlights Thobbe's guitar work and there is no doubt why he served as a comrade of one of Metal's biggest bands for four years. The track 'Wounded Knee' reminds one of legendary track 'Holy Diver'; the same sort of melody structure and vocal pattern.

Even though the selection of melodies was a mediocre selection of unoriginal songs that lacked any kind of direction. Not the best record out there but then not the worst.