Soilwork was originally formed in 1995 under the name Inferior Breed by Bjorn "Speed" Strid (vocals, also a member of Darkane). After recording their first ever demo tape, the band changed name and followed with yet another underground tape, "In Dreams We Fall Into The Eternal Lake". The band tried various labels to release their first full-length and eventually signed to Listenable (Aborted, Immolation). Their debut, "Steelbath Suicide" was eventually released in 1998.

"The Chainheart Machine" was recorded in 1999, and gained the band more respect as they were able to tour with bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Dark Tranquillity and Marduk. After this revolutionary release the band signed a deal with Nuclear Blast and released "A Predator's Portrait", followed by "Natural Born Chaos" in 2001.

The band's sound evolved with every release, eventually reaching a commercial feel that enabled the band to emerge from the underground. 2003's "Figure Number Five" marked the band as one of the most successful former underground swedish Metal bands along with In Flames.