이미 너무나도 뜨거운 반응을 얻었던 전작 'NATURAL BORN CHAOS'와 'FIGURE NUMBER FIVE'에 이어 SOILWORK는 우리들에게 최후의 결정타 'STABBING THE DRAMA'를 선사해주고 있다.
이번 앨범은 멜로딕 데스 메탈을 연주하는 스웨덴 밴드들이 창조해낸 앨범들 중 단연 최고로 손꼽힘은 물론, 매우 타이트 하면서도 역동적인 그리고 부분부분 정확하게 박힌 멜로딕한 요소들은 이번 앨범의 트레이드 마크로 자리하고 있다. 이들의 음악 속의 하나하나의 모든 음표, 정확한 공백 그리고 허를 찌르는 듯한 비트는 모두 순결 무구한 완벽함에 녹아 들어 있으며 SOILWORK는 새로운 고지에 다다른 채, 이미 고전이 되어버린 자신들의 'NATURAL BORN CHAOS' 를 넌지시 암시하고 있기도 하다.
보컬 BJORN ’SPEED’ STRID는 강렬한 힘은 물론 감동적인 떨림과 야만적인 공격성을 고스란히 앨범에 담아 전달하고 있으며 앨범의 포문을 열고 있는 타이틀 곡 STABBING THE DRAMA는 여러분들의 머리 속에 이미 편견으로 자리잡고 있는 것들에 종말을 고함과 동시에 여러분들의 귀를 격렬 하게 뒤흔들고 있다. SOILWORK는 지금 최고의 전성기를 누리고 있는 것이다!
SOILWORK는 1995년 INFERIOR BREED라는 이름으로 최초 결성되어 1997년 밴드 명을 현재의 SOILWORK로 개명하면서 이후 수 년 동안 멜로딕 데스 메탈 씬에서 빠른 속도로 자신들의 명성을 알렸고 2001년이 되면서 발매한 3집, A PREDATOR’S PORTRAIT로 커다란 돌파구를 마련하게 된다. 앨범의 판매고는 놀라울 정도로 훌륭 했고 대중 매체들로부터의 반응 역시 폭발적이었는데, 특히 독일 내에서 SOILWORK 의 인기는 단연 최고라 할 수 있었음은 물론 IN FLAMES와 함께 멜로딕 데스 메탈 씬에서의 새로운 대표주자로 떠오르게 되었다. ANNIHILATOR, NEVERMORE와의 투어에 이어, 여름 내내 자신들의 활동 역사 중 하이라이트로 기록 되고 있는 페스티발 등에 참여했고 그 중에서도 2001년 WACKEN OPEN AIR에서 20,000여명을 훌쩍 뛰어 넘은 관중에게 가장 잊을 수 없는 순간을 안겨주기도 했다.
이어진 걸작 앨범 NATURAL BORN CHAOS는 STRAPPING YOUNG LAD의 DEVIN TOWNSEND 지휘하에 녹음되었고, 스매쉬 히트곡 FOLLOW THE HOLLOW, AS WE SPEAK등을 포함하고 있었는데, 이는 전작 A PREDATOR’S PORTRAIT에 이은 논리 적인 발전으로 평가 받으면서 SOILWORK가 성공의 정점에 이르는데 큰 도움으로 작용하게 된다. 유럽, 미국, 일본에서의 투어는 SOILWORK의 인기를 더욱 수직으로 상승하게 했으며 CHILDREN OF BODOM, HYPOCRISY, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE등의 투어 메이트와 함께 성공적인 투어를 이끌었다. FIGURE NUMBER FIVE 앨범은 멜로딕 데스 메탈 이라는 장르에서 SOILWORK를 1등급으로 이끈 결정적인 앨범으로서 REJECTION ROLE, LIGHT THE TORCH, DEPARTURE PLAN과 같은 트랙들은 이미 SOILWORK의 셋 리스트에 새로운 찬가로 항상 포함되었다.
2004년 후반기부터 프로듀서 DANIEL BERGSTRAND와 함께 새 앨범 작업을 SWEDEN, UPPSALA의 DUG OUT STUDIOS와 OREBRO의 FASCINATION STUDIOS 에서 시작한 SOILWORK는 RICHARD EVENSAND의 후임으로 SCARVE의 DIRK VERBEUREN을 기용하여 STABBING THE DRAMA 앨범을 믿을 수 없을 만큼 훌륭하게 완성하였다. 단순하면서도 한 번 본 것만으로도 결코 잊을 수 없는 이번 앨범의 커버는 MNEMIC의 기타, MIRCEA GABRIEL이 담당했는데 그는 이미 EKTOMORF, MALEVOLENT CREATION등의 커버를 훌륭히 해내기도 하였고 간결하면서도인상적인 SOILWORK의 음악을 훌륭하게 표현해 주었다. .... ....
My declaration hurts, just want to stab it right now! Congratulations you've found yourself been preaching too many times to an histerycal mind so won't you fucking behave yourself... -It's all in there, without despair So you've saved your soul? -It always depends who will deliver have you ever known such a beautiful mind that gives you shelter
I'm waiting for something to show, I might as well... -Just drag me down so low
I'm down the drain and I've got nothing to fear with a polluted mind i had my share of loosing -Don't you ever cross that line So you've saved your soul? -It always depends who will deliver have you ever known such a beautiful mind that gives you shelter
Break the record, in a second, cherish you mental weapons watch the progress from an aspect that's stabbing the drama inside...
I'm waiting for something to show, I might as well... -Just drag me down so low I'm waiting for something to show, my punishment... For being down so low I can't believe how it used to be, selfish minds were abusing me self pity and determined to crawl manipulation of a merciful soul
They play divine as immortal sons pulling triggers and then they switch and run as long as you have nothing to add, they run the show... How? Can you get a single shot with a life like that so now... will you ever conclude as it turns to a lack? Deceivement,believe it...-can you feel it flow?
-As a weapon of your vanity they crave for a soulaching desire (won't you play with me...) as time's standing still, they've praised a liar
So now...- Let me get a minute of our precious time so how...- Do you feel now as the vanity is easy to find? Deceivement,believe it...-can you feel it grow?
(repeat chorus; except: "won't you stay with me")
I swear, you're nothing like me and it will never set you free you won't be able to be down there alone they fill you up 'till you're ripped and torn you life is out there for disposal knocked out, before you're ready to leave cause i swear, you're nothing like me! As i reckon your insanity
Don't question any lies, There's no reason to find, Another trip, to cause a denial. Yet you're stripped and your hope is gone. Another trap, for you to fall into, You swallow every threat that comes to your mind. A shadow just as dark as your past, is leading your way through a web of desire. Healing all the wounds in your chest, ...vengeance is rising.
Can I ever resolve, If it's a matter of do or die? Can I ever resolve, if it's a matter of time?
Just remember, Where you've spent your time. Can't respect all the tears you have cried. Just remember, How you've changed your life. Can't trace your fate with a pitiful crime.
Don't question any lies, There's no reason to find, Another trip, to cause a denial. Yet you're stripped and your hope is gone. Another trap, for you to fall into
Can I ever resolve, If it's a matter of do or die? Can I ever resolve, if it's a matter of time?
Just remember, Where you've spent your time. Can't respect all the tears you have cried. Just remember, How you've changed your life. Can't trace your fate with a pitiful crime.
There's no way that you can dig much deeper, If you think it's alright. Assorting the right from the wrong ones, That you have learned so well..
You're stuck you can't remember, The light is turning dim, You're trapped although you've been there, A thousand times before.
Just pick one and make it all come through infiltrated and fucked up for years and now it just suddenly turn to you in a second, in no time rise up, get up, stay up, fed up with the brand new sensation I'll bring back what's mine No, sense for sanity No, sense for clarity No, sense for dignity just ask once and it's coming straight to you -overrated and blinded by fear insperation turns to dust as you've had your share rise up, get up, stay up, fed up with all the illumination I'll take back what's mine No, sense for sanity No, sense for clarity No, sense for dignity
And I say (now gimme your best shot) wait a lifetime to pull it off and I say (is that all that you've got?) wake up in no time in blow it off...
No use for frustration, if you can't get through and you think your pride will do to get to your spot rise up, get up, stay up, fed up with the brand new sensation No, sense for sanity No, sense for clarity No, sense for dignity No, sense for empathy No, sense for sanity Will stop you now...
(repeat chorus) Now gimme your best shot (repeat) (repeat first verse)
Call it liberation or frustration, As it hits like a bomb Tearing you apart as you're first in line, Entering the zone Watch how it runs, a nerve wrecking resistance Watch how it burns, a venomous script's getting formed You've traveled a long way to get here And now it's waking you up.. Waking you up Walk straight for a final solution Walk straight, don't you be so cold Walk straight with a clear resolution I'll state my case and never turn Watch how it runs, watch how it burns And it's all a deception Break it and learn, there's no return For a presence like mine.. You've traveled a long way to get here... It's getting all so clear now, all the Things I know An elapse of conscious progress will last forevermore My courageous insanity follows An infinite time I'll be attaching the world On my shoulders Without a look inside Inside Walk straight for a final solution Walk straight, don't you be so cold Walk straight with a clear resolution I'll state my case and never turn Walk straight for a final solution Walk straight, don't you be so cold Walk straight with a clear resolution
Can you please remind me where the fuck I've been cause I can't find it out you see so return me to a vital place from a distant observation corrosion of emotions is how you block your state from scratch to relevation it's all been there, bleeding for someone to dare Extension of deception, brings you to your final collapse am I really an exception?
Is that your only entertainment (spoiling your desire) to blow your minds on a one-way track From a distance...
Building knowledge out of flexible existence hunt for adrenaline is staggering grand lack of emotions you'll never face conclusions, you'll get what you want am I really an exception?
Is that your only entertainment (spoiling your desire) to blow your minds on a one-way track I tell you a lie and you make it a statement (sleeping in denial) You're all wasting the time of your lives
Cold and crawling, you made it back fear is selling and you're one with the fact Counting the days for rebirth lost once again and how it hurts
I'm facing a trauma, it's crawling inside Don't walk that line, don't take that ride Conclusions will show me the sweetest pain Don't walk that line, don't take that ride... What I can see now, I don't want anybody else to see It doesn't matter somehow, what It does to me
Feel how the journey's jut begun Heading for disaster Formed through the night and it's all mine...
The game is easy to me to just play It steals the day, it steals the day Dividing the image in possible ways It steals the day, it steals the day And I can't move at all now And I can't move at all now What I can hear now, I don't want anybody else to hear It doesn't matter somehow, what It does to me
(repeat chorus)
Just pull me out, I have nothing to fear In front of my eyes, Never to leave What can I see now, I don't want anybody elso to see It doesn't matter somehow, what It does to me What I can hear now, I don't want anybody else to hear It doesn't matter somehow, what It does to me
I came here to justify, Such a thing would never cross your mind. Those scars that you wear, Seem like they lie and they won't disappear. Once again you will cross that line, Without reflection. Filthy and denied. Information: Dead to the nation.
B: Manic L: Cynic I: Auto N: Matic D
Whatever happened to your mindf**king system? It's all so shattering, shattering to the core.. Watch that halo grow, On an everlasting lane. Such an animated pleasuredome, Doomed to carry infected flames.
If possible, just turn the page Ad all you'll see remains the same I wish I could blame it on a Face without a name In the centre of the place I hate There's no escape that's what they say without a name... I've vanished since the anger came
Bitterness, sums up the truth I swear And I won't dread my time
I won't leave today... As long as I can take the worlds you'll stake No matter how the hell i make The desperation go away without a name...
Bitterness, sums up the truth I swear And I won't dread my time Meaningless and unsincere Hold back those tears, rewind
Come to the point with an illsuion It's there but it's not a revolution You'll bare what is not you are responibility All that is left of what you used to be
Slowly slicing foward, into the flesh. Incentive ways to enter the night. Reality turns it back on you, A chance to get through. Burning, brighter than the sun, Searching, to summon the suspicion. It's getting harder to see, Searching, for the killing ignition, To fulfill what you need. So, is it time to let it go? All the pain that you have owned? Unleash the crimson rebellion, You'll never see, what I can see. So, is it time to let it go, All the pain that you have owned? Revoke the burning ambition, As you dispise reality. The enemy's sleeping slient, in your head. He's not there to get you through. Of all the bastards that ever intended to make you lose, This is the one you can't fool.