Band: Coldworker

Title: Rotting paradise

Label: Relapse Records

Distribution: Rough Trade

Release date: 19/05/2008

Review: CD

Shortly after Nasum passed away, Anders Jakobson wanted to form a new band, somewhat in the vein of his former one. Together with (ex-) members from Ruin, Phobos, Carnal Grief and Relentless, Anders started the band Coldworker. At the end on 2006, a first full length was recorded, called The Contaminated Void, which did satisfy my ear drums with lust and pleasure. It might have been one of the strongest debut albums that year, that’s for sure! Afterwards, some line-up changes took place, and the band performed at several European festivals with bands as Arch Enemy, Misery Index and Dew-Scented. Last Winter (2007-2008), Coldworker recorded a second full length at different locations, which got mixed and mastered by Mister Dan Swanö himself, one of Sweden’s most important Death Metal gurus, I guess. While the debut album was a blasting monster, this second full length isn’t that fast whole the time. Still some tracks are lightning-fast, yet several pieces are more mid- to up-tempo this time. Besides, the Nasum-influences are still present, yet Coldworker has evolved towards a band with an own face. The Death Metal approach does sound both Swedish (probably also due to the influence of Dan Swanö) and trans-European and this might be considered a very positive evolution to reach a wider audience, I guess. Personally I preferred the debut album, yet Rotting Paradise is one of the best Swedish albums this years up till now, that’s an evidence.

83/100

Ivan Tibos.