Soil - Play it Forward

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Soil play things forward musically on this release

Soil are a band that have grown on me over time, I have have to admit. It was actually during the lockdowns because of Covid-19 that I started to get Soil more, I think it was because my love of this kind of music grew and grew. Bands like Pantera, Anthrax, Drowning Pool, Down, Crowbar, Corrosion of Comformity, HellYeah, and Seether. So I was excited to hear that Soil where releasing a new album, even if it is a covers album,  'Play it Forward' is a title I can relate to, so I love that they chose it. I can relate to it because before the lockdowns I got hit by a car, and then had another two years of my life taken away because of Covid-19 so I feel I wanted to wind the tape forward and get through the hard times. I don't know if this is what Soil meant by the title of the record, but I would really like to think so.

'Play it Forward' is a covers album, so maybe these are the songs the band listened to during Covid. Ok! I have just read that these are the songs that inspired them over the years, well I think maybe during this time... they got time to listen to them again and decide which ones they wanted to do. Singer Ryan McCombs over these lockdowns did a lot of solo stuff, and I was sad that I didn't get to see one of his infamous intimate shows. Which I was told by friends were amazing, everytime I have seen Soil live I have seen they have the most special connection with their fans. I have to say I was one of these people to recent times that thought Soil where all about their two giant mega hit songs 'Halo' and 'Unreal', but when I really got time to check out the albums I realised they were so much more. The way they mix up Southern Metal, Groove Metal with Heavy Metal, Blues and even Nu-Metal is inspired at times.

And I actually think Ryan's time out with Drowning Pool has helped Soil to be a better band, and I think some of their later albums might be their best work. Lead single of the covers album is a version of Halsey’s' 'Nightmare' has a nice atmospheric intro, which breaks in well put together simple riffs. As a single I like the fact the band have not tried to over complicate the song, and Ryan's vocals have new tones to them in places. Adam Zadel who is an original member of the band, being on guitar since they started way back in 1997. I like the soft moments to the track, that makes it when the vocals are lifted it's more hard hitting. And they make the riffs by Zadel standout even more, it's a really good single to lead the album off with.

I have to say as a massive White Zombie and Rob Zombie fan, I really loved their version of 'Thunder Kiss '65'. Which is amazingly good, you expect covers of your favourite songs to annoy you a little. But this is perfect in every way, and different from the original. It is what you would expect from Soil covering White Zombie, the same with classic Blues Rock song 'Black Betty' which is just amazing. I have actually seen them do this live and it is a fan favourite in their set, they go absolute crazy for this one. So it is the right way to finish off the album, with a touch of Soil doing the Blues. They get a little emotional with their tribute to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins who passed away recently, with their cover of the Foo Fighters' 'Monkey Wrench'. Which has a real 90's Rock Headbangers Ball tone to it, I might actually like this more than the original. This is fun, and makes me think of my childhood. So I think this is a great tribute to their friend, and Taylor would be really happy with this. I would love to hear this on the radio, so let's all campaign to get it played again I think they did release it to their fans online already (But I want everyone to hear It).

But I think my absolute favourite cover that Soil does on the album has to be 'Snap your fingers, Snap your Neck', Wow! this is just so good Prong would be so happy with their version of their song. I really wonder if Tommy Victor has heard it, their version is a little more Rock and Nu-Metal than the original Industrial Metal classic. But I think this is why it's so good, they are not trying to do the same version. They are making it their own, and that is what a good cover is. Another fun song on the record is their cover of The Ramones 'I wanna be Sedated', I think the band had a good time recording this. It really comes out in the recording, a long with a very 90's sounding version of Neil Young's 'Rockin' in the free World' which again takes me back to being much... much younger than I am now. My younger self would kill to get hold of this record, and it would have been in the car for trips to gigs around the country.

I actually not that big a fan of cover's anymore, I think it is because I had heard Marilyn Manson's 'Sweet Dreams' and Marilyn Manson's 'Tainted Love' a little too much. But I think I would buy this covers' album, I wouldn't get bored listening to it. And it would be quite fun to put it on when friends come round, and I think everyone would tell it's Soil covering the songs. Because they have really made it their own, and that has really impressed me. So the last thing I have to say is buy 'Play it Forward', you won't be disappointed.

Review by Dan Devour

Check Out! the Video for 'Nightmare' Below...