SOiL. Scream: The Essentials. Album Review

Monday, 23 September 2024 04:32

SOiL. Scream: The Essentials. Album Review

Written by Rick Patterfield

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SOiL. Scream: The Essentials. Album Review

The first official, a non-promo compilation of Chicago modern metallers SOiL features the piece “The Hate Song,” among others. Originally it was released on the studio album Whole (2013), the band's reunion with vocalist Ryan McCombs. And it is very surprising that the harsh musicians did not dare to call the collection Hate Songs: such a title (or, Songs of Hate) would suit this quite monumental collection much more than the somewhat vague and neutral name of Scream.

You probably already think that this introduction will be followed by about 2,000 characters of reasoning about why the author of this review does not like SOiL as well as all modern metal, as in terms of the 90s?

No and no. Despite the menace and inconvenience of the band's sound for the unprepared listener, SOiL's retrospective work is in no way similar to the brutal chants of their overly active colleagues from, say, Pantera, whom Ryan and his band tried to copy at the dawn of their career.

Modern metal from SOiL is a loud’n’(quite) brutal music with a human face and just active life position — and based on the rock tradition of the past, too. The best illustration of this is the only new number from the CD's tracklist, a cover version of well-known standard Gimme Some Lovin' by The Spencer Davis Group (1967).

SOiL - Gimme Some Lovin'

Almost mainstream female backing vocals combined here with Adam Zadel's brutal guitars, Ryan's aggressive roar, and the pounding-tight rhythm section led by SOiL co-founder, bassist Tim King teamed up with various drummers throughout the years (T.J. Taylor since 2017), and the sum is much better than its parts. Well, beyond this piece Scream: The Essentials loses its appeal to mainstream listeners. But no one argues that this CD is almost a purely niche product, designed for fans of SOiL, or modern metal (whatever it means) in general.

It is not intended to introduce a dumbfounded and unprepared listener to quite old and limitedly fashionable substyle — well, we’re not living in the 90s now. That is why the collection is compiled canonically: out of 19 “old” tracks, seven are pure rarities. They could be called bonuses, if they did not fit so perfectly into the overall sound of SOiL and into the concept of an angry ideological message on behalf of the band's musicians.

Perhaps, one new track and seven “old new ones” will not be enough for the fans of the band. But since Scream: The Essentials is designed for a not invisibly small audience, then it’s possible to be happy about it.

The label did everything for you, and you’re relieved of the need to search for SOiL best numbers on separate studio albums. It’s an undeniably reasonable approach for such an aggressive substyle.

SOiL. Scream: The Essentials Track List

1. Gimme Some Lovin' 3:18 (Scream: The Essentials, 2017)

2. Broken Wings 4:18 (Soil, EP 1997)

3. Road to Ruin 2:42 (Throttle Junkies, 1999)

4. Black Betty 2:41 (Throttle Junkies, 1999)

5. Halo 3:19 (Scars, 2001)

6. Unreal 3:18 (Scars, 2001)

7. Breaking Me Down 2:37 (Scars, 2001)

8. Pride 2:47 (Redefine, 2004)

9. Redefine 3:38 2:37 (Redefine, 2004)

10. Can You Heal Me (Acoustic Version) 3:43 (Redefine, 2004)

11. Give It Up 3:04 (True Self, 2006)

12. Let Go 3:52 (True Self, 2006)

13. Like It Is (Alternate Version) 3:34 (Picture Perfect, 2009)

14. The Lesser Man 3:43 (Picture Perfect, 2009)

15. My Time (Kickstart Version) (Whole, 2013)

16. Shine On 3:27 (Whole, 2013)

17. The Hate Song 3:15 (Whole, 2013)

18. Way Gone 3:35 (Whole, 2013)

19. Halo (Live in London) 4:52 (Re-LIVE-ing the Scars: In London, 2012)

20. Rusty Cage 4:27 (Bonus Track. Recorded in 2007)

21. Gimme Some Lovin' (Alternate Version) 2:51 (Scream: The Essentials, 2017)

1. Gimme Some Lovin' 3:18 (Scream: The Essentials, 2017)

2. Broken Wings 4:18 (Soil, EP 1997)

3. Road to Ruin 2:42 (Throttle Junkies, 1999)

4. Black Betty 2:41 (Throttle Junkies, 1999)

5. Halo 3:19 (Scars, 2001)

6. Unreal 3:18 (Scars, 2001)

7. Breaking Me Down 2:37 (Scars, 2001)

8. Pride 2:47 (Redefine, 2004)

9. Redefine 3:38 2:37 (Redefine, 2004)

10. Can You Heal Me (Acoustic Version) 3:43 (Redefine, 2004)

11. Give It Up 3:04 (True Self, 2006)

7. Never Kneel Down (Rise Above, 2023)

8. Raise Your Head (Alive, 2016)

9. To Be With You (Freedom Has No Price*, 2010)

10. Get Away (Alive, 2016)

11. Rise Above (Rise Above, 2023)

12. End of Days (Rise Above, 2023)

SOiL at the ReLoad Fest in Sulingen, Germany on August 16th 2024.

Note from the editor

By the time of the publication of this review on September 22, 2024, SOiL completed two major tours. In March they toured with The Union Underground over the US with the program Back To The 2000’s. In August, they hit the road across Atlantics for the large European tour with Images Of Eden, which included shows at Wacken Open Air Fest in Germany, Brutal Assault Fest in the Czech Republic, a show in Cologne with Butcher Babies. and ReLoad Fest in Germany, concluding the tour on August 16.

During these tours, SOiL performed hit tracks such as “Halo,” “Unreal,” and “Breaking Me Down,” from their breakthrough album Scars, which are featured on Scream: The Essentials compilation reviewed here.

SOiL continues their 2024 touring spree in November by landing in the UK with The Union Underground, (Hed)PE, and Nonpoint.

ABOUT SOiL

Tickets and complete tour info are available at:
https://www.bandsintown.com/a/1358

SOiL is:

Ryan McCombs - Vocals

Tim King - Bass

Adam Zadel - Guitar

TJ Taylor - Drums

Follow SOiL

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Rick Patterfield

Rick Patterfield is a dedicated and experienced music journalist and columnist who specializes in Heavy Metal, Progressive, and NWOBHM genres. His name suggests a deep historical interest in British culture and his Anglo-Saxon medieval heritage.

With a career spanning over thirty years, Rick has contributed to numerous renowned music magazines, websites, and radio programs. He has earned a reputation for his insightful reviews and in-depth interviews with some of the biggest names in the metal scene. His passion for the genre is evident in his work, as he consistently delivers engaging content that resonates with die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

Beyond his written work, Rick is also a sought-after speaker at music festivals and conferences, where he shares his extensive knowledge and unique perspectives on the evolution of heavy metal and its subgenres. He is an experienced host a popular podcasts that delve into the intricacies of metal music, featuring exclusive interviews with artists and industry experts.

Rick's commitment to preserving metal's rich history while championing new talent has solidified his standing as a key figure in the metal journalism community.

Disclaimer:

Rick Patterfield is a fictional character resembling Suley Era Editorial collective.

His avatar image and his story were generated by using Ai and chatGpt prompts for entertaining purposes.

However, all his articles and other editorial and journalistic works are written by real humans, who are members of Suley Era editorial and contributor team with real press and media expertise with real personal insights, and with years of real professional experiences, which is reflected in Rick Patterfield's "bio". Editorial work published on Suley Era website and social media under Rick Patterfield pen name is often a result of collaborative work of two or more journalists.

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