One of, if not the most impressive
Swedish metal debut,
Soilwork's
Steel Bath Suicide belongs on everyone's short list of must-have '90s
metal offerings. The
Soilwork brand of
death metal will remind a few listeners of countrymen
In Flames for sure, but vocalist
Bjoern Strid, guitarists
Peter Wiche and
Ola Frenning, drummer
Henry Ranta, bassist
Ola Fink, and keyboardist
Carlos Del Olmo Holmberg mark off a little
thrash-tinged
Viking metal territory of their own on
Steel Bath Suicide, before furthering their sound, which is remarkable on the follow-up
The Chainheart Machine. Highlights from this debut include
"In Close Encounter" and
"The Wings of Domain," which both feature spectacular work from
Wiche and
Frenning. Each member contributes nicely to
Steel Bath Suicide, making the group one of
Swedish metal's most technically well-rounded. A strong recording, this 1998 debut is highly recommended. ~ Vincent Jeffries
