Apparently I’ve never heard a Metal record a day in my life. I imagine the reason being is because theres such small a market for the record buying minority out there to buy this kind of stuff informed. Then again, the relatively seedy reputation of its community pioneers doesn’t exactly help either. From Alt/metal Genre benders Linkin Park and Limp Biscuit, to more conventional innovations of the past like Pantera and Metallica, the genre’s remained quite resilient, regardless of the resurgence of the “Head And Shoulders” movement of the boy bands of the early Twenty-First C.
One the more charming success stories of those underdog releases though is Linkin Park fiscal competitors, Chicago 4-piece ‘SOil’. SOil’s early claim to fame came in the form of a certain placebo called ‘one of the most the critically acclaimed debut Heavy Metal album’s of 2001’. Entitled “Scars”, the eponymous debut sold over one million units and spurned several metal friendly radio hits, among them classic nerve-affirming stompers like “Redefine” and “Halo.”
But fame has its symptoms. Helming sold out live shows across the country, SOil gained a reputation as one of the promising acts in all of the Heavy Metal cosmos. However, after numerous lineup changes proceeding the departure of lead singer Ryan McCombs(who left to join Drowning Pool) in 2004, SOil reunited with McCombs in 2011 full time for a glorious sold out 10-year anniversary tour, subsequently recording a new LP. That album, the oh-so appropriately titled ‘Whole’, is being billed as a return to form from the relentless mosh heading pandemonium of the debut album ‘Scars’. So how does it measure up?
Well. From the moment you hear McComb’s trademark schizophrenic exclamations over the ravishing staccato picking of Adam Zendel’s lead guitar on “Loaded Gun” and “The Hate Song”, you can tell by the seamless timing on the tune that you’re in for something special. And lead single “Shine On” shout resentful and preach just as true and omnipotent as anything Jessie Jackson Sr. could write on a cold day in small claims.
“But seriously.” Every track, every arrangement on this album is seamlessly bled into a craft. Its obvious that somebody loved this record. In fact, SOil play this album with an ungodly ferociousness, a fruit of passion that longtime fans have been longing to want for. As a newcomer, I strongly suggest you take on “Whole” first as a foundation piece. Building a familiarity with a Genre band like SOil will enable the bulk of what you’re in for ring a little truer. If you’re a veteran, then odds are you already know where you’ve been and where you’re going anyways. And what are the odds of that.
Robin Kale – robinne.gilmore@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/SOiLmusic
http://www.soiltheband.com
