Soilwork at the Gramercy Theatre

Björn "Speed" Strid

Melodic death metal band Soilwork formed in Helsingborg, Sweden, in 1995. Originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed its name in late 1996 to Soilwork (meaning "working from the ground up"). Vocalist and founder Björn "Speed" Strid remains the last original member. Three days ago, Soilwork launched its world tour in North America, marking the band’s first time headlining in this territory in almost three years. The extensive trek through the U.S. and Canada, “North American Infinity Tour 2013,” stopped at the Gramercy Theatre tonight.

In the days after hardcore punk joined thrash metal to form metalcore, bands experimented with a variety of sounds, including rap, electronics and even banjos to take the music to the next level. At the Gramercy Theatre, Soilwork was back to basics, however. The band’s guttural vocals and power-groove riffs adopted a more melodic sound and somewhat lighter melodies. While it translated into a more accessible live performance, the sound was unchallenging and sounded like familiar adrenalin-pumping metalcore we have heard many times before. Especially for the moshers, Soilwork’s concert tonight was an enjoyable concert, but not completely unique.