Soilwork

Emerging in the late '90s from a scene populated by pioneering metal acts like In Flames, Arch Enemy, and Dark Tranquillity, Soilwork were instrumental in infusing punishing Gothenburg-style death metal with European power metal majesty. Debuting in 1998 with the uncompromising Steel Bath Suicide, the group hit their stride in 2005 with the release of their metalcore-leaning sixth full-length effort, Stabbing the Drama, which saw them crystallize their sound and helped break them overseas. Subsequent efforts like Sworn to a Great Divide (2007), The Living Infinite (2013), Verkligheten (2019), and Övergivenheten (2022) continued to beat the drum of both melody and might, solidifying Soilwork's reputation as one of Swedish melodic death metal's most versatile and venerable exports.