39. Soilwork - "Övergivenheten"

Soilwork’s Björn Strid and David Andersson formed the ludicrously AOR Night Flight Orchestra as an antidote to the butch posturing of their melodic death metal day job. The two bands were always meant to live in parallel universes, allowing them to have their musical cake and eat it. However, like some Marvel-like collusion of multi-versed franchises, “Övergivenheten” sees the schmaltzy cheese of their side project come tumbling into their day job. 

This is by a country mile the most accessible thing Soilwork have put their name to and sees them major heavily on the melodic in melodic death metal. It is a bright, positive and highly optimistic record that is reminiscent of that bit in Wizard of Oz where the colour kicks in. 

The life-affirming and upbeat nature of “Övergivenheten” is however made bittersweet by the fact that David Andersson’s alcoholism claimed his life a mere month after the album was released. A stupendously confident and self-assured record that leaves a wonderful testimony to the brilliance of Andersson’s guitar work.