Soulbender (album)
Soulbender is the only studio album by the American metal band of the same name. Originally released in 2004, it was re-released with additional recordings in 2014.
| Soulbender | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | May 22, 2004[1] |
| Recorded | 2003 / 2014 |
| Genre | Heavy metal |
| Length | 48:58 |
| Label | Licking Lava Records Rat Pak Records |
| Producer | Eric Janko and Soulbender |
Background and recording
Soulbender features Michael Wilton, founding guitarist of Queensrÿche, and Nick Pollock, former vocalist of My Sister's Machine. The album was recorded at three different studios in Washington: Triad (drums and bass), which also mixed the album, Watershed (guitars), and Slow Time (vocals).[2] This album was co-produced by the band themselves and engineer Eric Janko.[2] It was mastered by Eddy Schreyer,[2] who has worked with artists such as Alice in Chains and Slipknot.[3]
Release and reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Blabbermouth.net | 7.5/10 [4] |
| Jukebox Metal (Soulbender II) |    [5] |
| Melodic (Soulbender) | [6] |
| Metal Temple (Soulbender II) | 7/10[7] |
The album was independently released through Licking Lava Records on May 22, 2004.[1] Steve Newton of The Georgia Straight has described the music on this album being "a tad darker than either of those bands (Queensrÿche and My Sister's Machine) are noted for."[8] Sefany Jones, a contributing editor of KNAC, listed the album among her Top 15 albums of 2004; it came in at Number Two.[9]
Rerelease
In 2014, Blabbermouth.net reported that the band were planning to release Soulbender II, containing four new songs and remasters of all tracks on Soulbender, through Rat Pak Records.[10] The album also included updated cover art. Tony Sison of The Dedicated Rocker Society hailed Soulbender II as a "balls to the wall recording from start to finish."[11]
Track listing
All tracks written by Soulbender.[2]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fix Me" | 4:40 |
| 2. | "Clockwork and Compass" | 3:34 |
| 3. | "Rabbit Hole" | 4:32 |
| 4. | "The American Dream" | 6:43 |
| 5. | "Samsara" | 3:06 |
| 6. | "Prime Time" | 3:24 |
| 7. | "Shoot Poem" | 6:20 |
| 8. | "This Ocean" | 4:07 |
| 9. | "Hunger" | 5:33 |
| 10. | "Three Towers" | 6:59 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Turn Anger Up" | 3:27 |
| 2. | "Shoal" | 6:31 |
| 3. | "Slave To Reality" | 3:35 |
| 4. | "Seraphim" | 6:36 |
Personnel
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References
- "Soulbender Overview". Allmusic. All Media Guide (Roviallflower). Retrieved December 5, 2011.
- Soulbender (liner notes). Soulbender. Licking Lava Records. 2004. 8-25346-12792-7.CS1 maint: others (link)
- "Eddy Schreyer Overview". Allmusic. All Media Guide (Roviallflower). Retrieved July 15, 2012.
- Van Horn, Jr., Ray. "Soulbender-Soulbender II". Blabbermouth. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
- Lye, Andy. "Soulbender II - Soulbender". Jukebox Metal. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
- Roth, Kaj. "Soulbender – s/t". Melodic. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
- Zakolska, Katarzyna. "Soulbender - Soulbender II". Metal Temple (website). Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- Newton, Steve (August 12, 2004). "Soulbender Guitarist Happily Does Double Duty". The Georgia Straight. Vancouver Free Pass. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
- KNAC's Top CDs of 2004
- "Blabbermouth.Net - QUEENSRŸCHE Guitarist MICHAEL WILTON's SOULBENDER To Release New Album". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
- Sison, Tony (September 19, 2014). "CD REVIEW: SOULBENDER II by Soulbender". The Dedicated Rocker Society Music Magazine. All Access Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2014.