You'd think with all the healthy-looking people and stylish furniture, there wouldn't be so much aggressive metal coming out of Sweden, yet bands like Soilwork continue to pour out of the nation's gates on a regular basis. Soilwork has been active for a decade, and continues to evolve, with SWORN TO A GREAT DIVIDE showcasing more melody and polished vocals and production. Far from selling out, the band still punishes eardrums with their heady blend of death and alternative metal. First single "Exile" features a serpentine guitar line and gloomy, Alice In Chains-style melodies, but they're still representing European-style power metal in songs like "Breeding Thorns" and turning on the heat with stuttering, abrasive riffs on the title track. Without sacrificing power, Soilwork has added atmosphere and variety to their sound.