Soulbender is the only studio album by the American-Canadian metal band of the same name. Originally released in 2004, it was re-released with additional recordings in 2014.

Soulbender
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 22, 2004[1]
Recorded2003 / 2014
GenreHeavy metal
Length48:58
LabelLicking Lava Records
Rat Pak Records
ProducerEric Janko and Soulbender

Background and recording

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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

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Blabbermouth.net7.5/10 [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

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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

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All tracks written by Soulbender.[2]

No.TitleLength
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
Soulbender II bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
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

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  1. ^ a b "Soulbender Overview". Allmusic. All Media Guide (Roviallflower). Retrieved December 5, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Soulbender (liner notes). Soulbender. Licking Lava Records. 2004. 8-25346-12792-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ "Eddy Schreyer Overview". Allmusic. All Media Guide (Roviallflower). Retrieved July 15, 2012.
  4. ^ Van Horn, Jr., Ray (21 November 2014). "Soulbender-Soulbender II". Blabbermouth. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  5. ^ Lye, Andy. "Soulbender II - Soulbender". Jukebox Metal. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  6. ^ Roth, Kaj. "Soulbender – s/t". Melodic. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  7. ^ Zakolska, Katarzyna. "Soulbender - Soulbender II". Metal Temple (website). Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  8. ^ Newton, Steve (August 12, 2004). "Soulbender Guitarist Happily Does Double Duty". The Georgia Straight. Vancouver Free Pass. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  9. ^ KNAC's Top CDs of 2004
  10. ^ "Blabbermouth.Net - QUEENSRŸCHE Guitarist MICHAEL WILTON's SOULBENDER To Release New Album". Roadrunnerrecords.com. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  11. ^ Sison, Tony (September 19, 2014). "CD REVIEW: SOULBENDER II by Soulbender". The Dedicated Rocker Society Music Magazine. All Access Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
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See also

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