Soul Survivor (Gorefest album)

Soul Survivor is the fifth studio album by the Dutch death metal band Gorefest. It was released in 1996 on Nuclear Blast Records. Marking a stylistic departure from the band's earlier, more brutal death metal sound, Soul Survivor incorporates elements of groove metal, hard rock, and even some alternative metal influences. This shift resulted in a more melodic and accessible sound compared to their previous releases, which initially alienated some of their older fanbase while also attracting new listeners.

The album's production is notably cleaner and more polished than Gorefest's earlier work, further contributing to its accessibility. Soul Survivor features prominent guitar riffs, catchier vocal lines from vocalist Jan-Chris de Koeijer, and more emphasis on mid-tempo grooves than blast beats.

While commercially successful for Gorefest, Soul Survivor remains a somewhat divisive album in their discography, representing a significant change in direction that ultimately led to the band's temporary split shortly after its release. It is considered by some to be a strong example of the band's willingness to experiment, while others view it as a dilution of their original death metal roots. Key tracks on the album include "Freedom," "Forty Second Surgery," and the title track, "Soul Survivor."