The Chainheart Machine

As if there was any question after the release of Steel Bath Suicide, Soilwork emphatically proved themselves to be one of melodic death metal's finest Swedish exports on this 2000 Century Media follow-up, The Chainheart Machine. Featuring a returning lineup of Björn Strid on vocals, Peter Wiche and Ola Frenning on guitars, Henry Ranta on drums, Ola Fink on bass, and keyboardist Carlos Del Olmo Holmberg, Soilwork improved on the sound of their debut, and more importantly, they displayed their growing songwriting chops on this sophomore outing. Their ability to craft and execute interesting, complex, and memorable metal is the group's defining element — one that truly separates the group from the hordes of Swedish metal competitors. "Spirits of the Future Sun," along with the record's title track, are just two highlights in a record stuffed with amazing compositions that include dense harmony guitar lines and interesting rhythmic changes. Soilwork would continue to refine their sound on subsequent releases, but The Chainheart Machine certainly holds its own against anything the group released and most anything in the entire melodic death metal genre. [Listenable's 1999 edition included bonus material.]