𝗚𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁 — 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿 (1996)

intothewellsabyss
Jun 12, 2023
3 min read

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

27 years ago this month, Gorefest declared “Freedom” with the Death N’ Roll infused “Soul Survivor”.

On June 10, 1996 Gorefest released their fourth full-length studio album, “Soul Survivor” via Nuclear Blast.

Background:

Prior to the albums release, Gorefest had revealed that they wanted to drastically expand upon the musical changes they had applied in “Erase” (De Koeijer declared in some interviews that he even had thoughts about taking singing lessons). This would be confirmed in 1996 with the heavily Rock influenced sound on “Soul Survivor” – a total departure from their roots even showing traces of pop.

Overview:

Just five short years after the bands debut “Mindloss”, the Dutch Death Metallers unleashed “Soul Survivor”, an album similar to what Carcass had created in “Swansong”, something that many have referred to as Death N’ Roll.

In a nutshell; Boudewijn Bonebakker, Gorefest’s lead guitarist, had taken the lead as the band’s main composer, and having a deep love of the classic 70’s Hard Rock era, had bled that into the core of the band’s music. What transpired was a dirty little sound that many like to call… Death N’ Roll. Yes, my friends, Death N’ Roll. A term that Death Metal purists had created to degrade Death Metal bands who started adding Rock elements into their sound (and is now a term of endearment). “Because, we just can’t have that now, can we!” I say, “while the hell not!”

Alright, back to all seriousness. While “Soul Survivor” was by nature, a Death N’ Roll album, a shred of the old Death Metal aesthetic was still present. This was in large part due to vocalist Jan-Chris De Koeijer’s quasi-Death growls. De Koeijer fits in quite well, singing (or graveling) over these 70’s infused riffs with a groove-laden charge. The band also recruited pianist Rene Merkelback on keys to add to the classic 70’s atmosphere.

Throughout “Soul Survivor”, you’ll hear an array of influences from a bygone era (I’ll let you figure out those influences for yourself), yet somehow it still sounds like Gorefest. The songs on “Soul Survivor” are catchy, groove-laden and upon listening you’ll soon find yourself grooving along to the beat of each track. Boudewijn (guitars) also seems to take a few cues from Bill Steer (Carcass/Firebird) in the lead guitar department, using vibrato and bends to add a lot of feel and dynamics into his guitar solo’s.

Many Gorefest’s fans of the early days scoffed and winced at the dramatic change in the bands sound, but as with Entombed’s “Wolverine Blues”, Carcass’ “Swansong”, and even Pungent Stench’s “Club Mondo Bizarre”, I embraced this new direction and thought of it as a natural progression in the evolution of the band.

But, fear not all ye die hard traditionalists, there are a few tracks on here to sooth your savage hearts, namely; “Demon Seed”, and “Blood Is Thick”.

So, what the hell are you waiting for? Rip that mutha and groove!!!

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “Soul Survivor” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/soul-survivor-chapter-13/1460470945

Click this link to follow Gorefest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dutchdeath

Click this link to watch the official music video for “Freedom”: https://youtu.be/bDGiq6F-eR8

Click this link to watch the official music video for “Soul Survivor”: https://youtu.be/N0EcW36q534

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells