It’s about time we got a new Soilwork record. And when did the hot bass player join the band? … Oh, wait a minute. sorry.

Only a few notes into the Nuclear Blast debut by Sonic Syndicate, it’s easy to see how I could have gotten confused. Among certain circles, Sonic Syndicate will lose credibility almost immediately because of the way they got the deal. They were the winners of the label’s contest for new bands. There must have been a whole lot of Soilwork fans voting, because most of this record consists of rehashed numbers from Figure Number Five and Stabbing the Drama.

To the band’s credit, they do it well – even though they require two vocalists to do what Speed can do by himself. The record is enjoyable enough if you pretend it is a new Soilwork record. The riffs are solid, the melodies catchy and the songs are memorable. When you remember that it isn’t Soilwork, though, it will probably spoil the experience.

There are a couple of songs here that break the mold. The ballad “Enclave” it sounds like a standard rock radio ballad that you can hear everyday. “All About Us,” a pure metalcore number, is slightly more interesting though it doesn’t quite develop into the song you want it to.

Otherwise, it’s an exercise in Soilwork worship, and newer Soilwork at that. If you really loved Figure Number Five and Stabbing the Drama and want something similar to hold you over until their new record comes out later this year, Only Inhuman might fit the bill. If you’re looking for originality, look elsewhere.

[Visit the band's website]

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