SoulThe opening is impressive. “Biological Experiments” has everything you could want in a melodic metal song. It is tribal, marching and has loads of hooks and interesting developments. It’s also trite – “This is the end of the human race” – but it’s compelling and progresses darkly. It’s strongly reminiscent of Amon Amarth in its punch, with a bit of Pain. I liked this Swedish band’s debut album “Reborn” (2007) and all was well with this one.

The melodic march continues. “Architect” drops into a groove. “Behind the Face” features a rolling solo of thunderous proportions. The dark and pungent feel of Hypocrisy becomes more prominent. The title track develops an epic feel as the guitar raises the temperature. A choral feel runs through the back, raising the ambiance. Fire and force combine as the songmanship becomes deeper and sludgier. It’s also remorseless, and this is where this album started to lose its interest for me. I hesitate to call it a melodic clone of Hypocrisy but the more it went on, the more it seemed like that. To be fair, Souldrainer manage to replicate their counterpart’s chilling touch in their chorus lines, none more so than “Turn Your Back”. “I do remember, I know who you are, I’ve seen you before, I don’t care”, goes the line of threat. “For No Other” follows on with its driving, battering, heavy, melodic rhythm. There are some nice guitar touches too. The symphonic start to “Nightmare Abduction” provides a bit of welcome variety before that chasmic thudding tone returns. I can’t deny the dark intensity. The chorus is uplifting if somewhat weak-livered: “I want to wake up because it hurts too much”. It’s hardly fighting talk. At least it’s a decent track. “I Am the One” on the other hand is uninspiring as if Souldrainer have run out of ideas. Sorgestjärna” ends the album punchily but goes nowhere.

In the publicity, it is stated that Souldrainer “build upon the bricks” laid by other Swedish bands. I’m afraid I didn’t detect much difference and whilst recognising good qualities, I didn’t find “Architect” particularly original.

(6.5/10 Andrew Doherty)

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