Soulfly have gone through some changes that's for sure both musically and member wise and the releases continue to regularly appear. Despite my continued persistence with the new album Archangel the band certainly haven't won me over with this one. While watching the accompanying live DVD it just highlighted that the songs of the past are indeed better. Sure there have been other heavy albums along the way such as Dark Ages and Enslaved but Archangel just doesn't grab you like those previous Soulfly releases. Once again main man Max Cavalera's son Zyon is on drums and really he isn't one of the most engaging or exciting drummers that Soulfly have featured on their albums but that will hopefully change with experience. The heavier styles of metal continue to influence the band as does religion given the artwork and some song titles/lyrical content.
As openers go the cheesy "We Sold Our Souls To Metal" is not the greatest choice that's for sure though the better alternatives aren't exactly prevalent. Proceedings do improve with "Archangel" as it hits hard while the grooving "Sodomites" and the slow and potent "Ishtar Rising" are album standouts. "Live Life Hard!" has guest vocals by Matt Young of King Parrot which it really could have done without, and only serve to detract from what had the potential to be a good song one that is also not helped but some rather average lyrics. "Deceiver" has a energetic performance from the group as the riffs are promptly dispensed and features a compelling slower section. "Mother Of Dragons" is a easy to skip, this is followed by three bonus tracks on the special edition though the first is a blink and you'll miss it clocking in at ten seconds, "Acosador Nocturno" is an alternate version of "Deceiver". Instrumental and continuing on the tradition of Soulfly titled tracks is "Soulfly X" and this one is so good that it shouldn't have a been an extra and actually reminds partly of Opeth's "Closure".
Archangel has been out for a while now and honestly I have given it more than a fair go but my opinion hasn't changed as this is easily my least favourite Soulfly release to date. Yes there are some tracks that are worthwhile but not enough for a whole album. Savages the previous Soulfly album like it predecessor Enslaved and their others have that appeal that entices you back, I struggle with Archangel to do just that.
Track Listing
1. We Sold Our Souls To Metal
2. Archangel
3. Sodomites
4. Ishtar Rising
5. Live Life Hard!
6. Shamash
7. Bethlehem's Blood
8. Titans
9. Deceiver
10. Mother Of Dragons
11. You Suffer
12. Acosador Nocturno
13. Soulfly X
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