BEST NEWS EVER: PETER WICHERS BACK IN SOILWORK!
A press release arrived last night after the gates of the MetalSucks Mansion had been shuttered announcing pretty much the best news ever: founding guitarist Peter Wichers has rejoined Soilwork. Wichers had departed to pursue a career in producing, working on such records as the Nuclear Blast all-star Out of the Dark compilation and Warrel Dane of Nevermore’s solo record Praises to the War Machine.
This news is particularly refreshing because without Wichers, Soilwork had been lumbering along as an imitation of its former self. Wichers was always the primary writer and creative force behind Soilwork until his departure in late 2005, so his return should come as welcome news to any fans who thought 2007’s Sworn to a Great Divide was lackluster effort (presently company excluded — I thought Sworn was a passable if even decent effort, but that it lacked that special touch). To make matters worse, second guitarist Ola Frenning quit earlier this year, removing any guitar links to the band’s glory days. With Wichers’ return, his replacement Daniel Antonsson has been let go and drummer Dirk Vervueren’s bandmate in Scarve, Sylvain Coudret, has been tapped for second guitar.
This great news comes just in time for the band’s massive North American headline tour with Darkane, Warbringer and Swallow the Sun! YES! Full list of tour dates after the jump.
Jan. 30 – Rochester, NY – Penny Arcade
Jan. 31 – Detroit, MI – Harpo’s
Feb. 2 – Nashville, TN – Muse
Feb. 3 – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits
Feb. 4 – St Petersburg, FL – Garage
Feb. 5 – Ft Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
Feb. 6 – Orlando, FL – Backbooth
Feb. 8 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
Feb. 9 – Charlotte, NC – Amos Southend
Feb. 10 – West Springfield, VA – Jaxx
Feb. 11 – Philadelphia, NJ – Trocadero
Feb. 12 – Worcester, MA- Palladium
Feb. 13 – Poughkeepsie, NY – Chance
Feb. 14 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock
Feb. 15 – New York City, NY – Highline Ballroom
Feb. 16 – Montreal, QUE – Foufounes Electriques
Feb. 17 – Toronto, ONT – Opera House
Feb. 18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theater
Feb. 19 – Cleveland, OH – Peabody’s Down Under
Feb. 20 – Sauget, IL – Pop’s
Feb. 21 – Mokena, IL – Pearl Room
Feb. 22 – Milwaukee, WI – Rave
Feb. 23 – St Paul, MN – Station 4
Feb. 24 – Winnipeg, MB – Royal Albert Arms
Feb. 25 – Regina, SK – Riddell
Feb. 26 – Calgary, AL – Warehouse
Feb. 27 – Edmonton, AL – Starlite Room
Feb. 28 – Prince George, BC – Soundstage
Mar. 1 – Vancouver, BC – Plaza Club
Mar. 2 – Victoria, BC – Sugar
Mar. 3 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
Mar. 4 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
Mar. 5 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
Mar. 6 – Bakersfield, CA – Dome
Mar. 7 – San Marcos, CA – Jumping Turtle
Mar. 8 – Los Angeles, CA – Key Club
Mar. 10 – Farmington, MN – Gator’s
Mar. 11 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
Mar. 12 – Kansas City, MO – Beaumont Club
Mar. 13 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
Mar. 14 – San Antonio, TX – Scout Bar
Mar. 15 – Fort Worth, TX – Lola’s
Mar. 16 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar
Mar. 18 – Louisville, KY – Uncle Peasants
Mar. 19 – Raleigh, NC – Volume 11
Mar. 20 – Jacksonville, NC – Hooligans Music Hall
Mar. 21 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
Mar. 22 – Baltimore, MD – Sonar
