Soilwork — The Panic Broadcast

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

13 years ago today, “Panic” was “Broadcast” around the world!

On this day (July 2) in 2010, Soilwork released their eighth full-length album, “The Panic Broadcast” in Europe via Nuclear Blast (July 13 in North America).

The album marks the return of long-time Soilwork guitarist and founder Peter Wichers, who also picks up the role as the album's producer (though Wichers would leave Soilwork again in 2012).

When asked about why he left Soilwork and what prompted his return prior to the recording of “The Panic Broadcast”, Peter Wichers said;

“I was completely fried from touring. It was just way to much for me to handle. It was nine months of touring and they ended up doing five more months after I left. That was it for me. I kind of needed a break. I just wasn't cut out for that much touring.

When we started talking about me coming back, me and Bjorn [Soilwork's vocalist] were writing stuff on the side for a side project and they had a line-up change and after that, they extended an invite to come back. I thought about it, and I said I wouldn't want to do the same kind of touring as before, and everyone was kind of on the same page. Knowing that, and just the way that Soilwork is going to be run now, coming back is definitely a different story now than it was before. Everyone is a little older and a lot of the guys have families back at home so, obviously everyone doesn't want to be on the road all of the time.

I missed being onstage and the guys. I think that we still have a lot of creativity to write another phenomenal record. Also, my wife is very supportive of me coming back. She said, I think it's a shame that you should be cooped up in the studio all of the time, when you like to perform. Having my wife as a support, it was a pretty easy decision. Even though touring is always hard no matter how little or much you do it. I'm glad to be out here, we're having a good time and everyone is getting along perfectly "

The album also features the debut of new guitarist Sylvain Coudret who replaced longtime guitarist Ola Frenning in 2008. Mixing was done at Fascination Street studio in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Paradise Lost, Bloodbath).

Commenting on Bogren, Bjorn “Speed” Strid stated; “I feel that Jens Bogren, who mixed the album, has done an outstanding job at getting all the details through. I feel it's very important since there's so many elements in our music that creates a unique touch.”

Background:

Musically, this album found the band moving back more to their speed-laden, melodic death metal roots, though the already present alternative and metalcore sound still remains. In an interview with SuicideGirls.com, Wichers spoke about what direction the band might take musically with its next album. "We talked about maybe taking a little bit of a different approach for the next record," he said. "Having me and Sylvain back in the band, I think that we're probably going to try to do stuff that might be a little more technical. We want to keep the element of the catchy chorus but at the same time maybe have bit more guitar solos than on “Sworn to a Great Divide” and also let Dirk [Verbeuren, drums] get more space on the record for drumming. That was one of the things I think that 'Sworn to a Great Divide' was lacking a little bit. It's a good record but I think that with such talented musicians the next album definitely needs to have more performance." Peter Wichers also stated that this album will have more blues elements than previous albums and even said that one of the riffs for 'The Thrill' was inspired by a bluegrass riff.

Lead vocalist Björn Strid confirmed February 18, 2010 that the drums for the album had already been recorded. He also confirmed the names of six tracks: "The Thrill", "Late for the Kill, Early for the Slaughter", "The Akuma Afterglow", "Let This River Flow", "Where Angels Fear to Tread" and "Two Lives Worth of Reckoning". The complete track listing was revealed on April 8.

Commenting on the Album and working with Wichers, vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid said:

"I was on the phone with Peter [Wichers, guitar] and I couldn't help getting flashbacks from when we started the band, the feeling of getting your hands on the master of the first album and the kick it gave us and not being able to stop talking on the phone about it.

So am I being a bit nostalgic here? You can bet your life I am. It's been a long time since I got such a kick out of listening to a SOILWORK album.

I took a walk in the rain for two hours yesterday, deciding the song order and I didn't care at all that I got absolutely soaked.”

On May 17, 2010, the band released "Two Lives Worth of Reckoning" on their MySpace.

"Listening to this album is like being run over emotionally by a dumptruck and then being pulled up at the last second by a euphoric feeling that will lead you into tranquility.

Sounds pretentious, doesn't it? It is, but it's real." — Björn "Speed" Strid

Critical Reception:

The NewReview gave the album a 4.0 out of 5 and stated "Soilwork is the kind of band so ahead of the curve they have the keys to the asphalt paving machine. “The Panic Broadcast” is another in a long line of Soilwork albums crammed full of Metal goodness and makes you sorry you fell for cheap, trendy trash."

According to Nielsen SoundScan, “The Panic Broadcast” sold around 5,257 copies in its first week of sales in the United States. The album debuted at No. 88 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it their highest-charting album in their entire career at the time.

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “The Panic Broadcast” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-panic-broadcast/1456927427

Click this link to listen to “The Panic Broadcast” via Spotify: The Panic Broadcast https://open.spotify.com/album/5zcR5OgSxqbe9YoULJwDTp

Click this link to watch the official music video for “Deliverance Is Mine”: https://youtu.be/aiOa61327WA

Click this link to watch the official music video for “Let This River Flow”: https://youtu.be/JRd5OJ2p3pw

Click this link to follow Soilwork on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soilwork

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

Soilwork — The Panic Broadcast

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