Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, hard rockers SOiL formed in 1997 and came crashing on to the scene with their major heavyweight label debut album, ‘Scars’ in 2001. Widely considered by many to be the bands finest hour, the record featured such hits as the relentless opener “Breaking Me Down”, an unconventional ballad at its best with “Unreal” and the undisputed colossal classic, “Halo” to name but a few. Today, SOiL prepare to celebrate their 20th anniversary with the release of their greatest hits, ‘SCREAM: The Essentials’; a collection that catalogues the bands two decade spanning career with a fine balance of the tracks fans know and love as well as some surprises and rarities that will raise the hairs on the arms of those who consider themselves die-hards.
Loud, thunderous and unapologetically in your face, all these serve as accurate depictions of the bands core sound. From the opening moments of “Halo” to their sophomore record ‘Redefine’; an effort which played with the band’s sound while retaining those core qualities, with each release SoiL have kept it fresh, interesting and exciting. None more so than when, with what up until now was their latest effort, they released ‘Whole’, a record that, on its best day, could stand toe to toe with ‘Scars’.
[metalwani_content_ad]
While ‘Scream’ demonstrates examples of the bands humble beginnings, it also presents fans with material of a far more fresh nature. This comes first and foremost in the form of their latest release and the records opening track, “Gimme Some Lovin'”. Originally making its on screen debut as a rhythm and blues piece in the cult classic film The Blues Brothers, SOiL have re-imagined the song, putting their own personal touches to it, and in doing so have brought it into a 2017 hard rock styling. Ryan McCombs has expressed that, vocally, “it was a bit left field for me, but with the added touches we put on it the song fell right into place”. These added touches were only heightened by guest vocalists lending their talents to the track; those such as Lindy Gabriel (Gabriel and the Apocalypse), Cristina Feliciano (Oblivious Signal) and guest keyboardist Jake LaCore of Gabriel and the Apocalypse also, all came together and put their stamp on it. But if lending talents on a single track failed to get the gears turning, then what follows certainly will.
One of the elements that separates ‘Scream’ from your average greatest hits is that it showcases not only the bands most known material, but also the songs that demonstrate their idiosyncrasy. “Shine On”, despite being a leading single for ‘Whole’, unfortunately rarely sees the light of day when it comes to being included in the set lists. And yet it remains such a prime example of the powerful driving force that is SOiL, but it doesn’t stop there. The rhythmically captivating “Way Gone” alongside the greatest middle finger to your run of the mill break up ballad “The Hate Song” both serve as prime examples of this, too, as do the floor filling giants that are “Breaking Me Down” and “Unreal”, all of which can be found here. With that, we explore some of the other qualities that see this collection stand far left of the pit so many greatest hits find themselves in and, ultimately, causing them to fall by the wayside.
Throughout the record, there is an underlying “lest we forget” sentiment that may see a divide in opinion amongst fans, but only in some instances. When vocalist Ryan McCombs, at one point, departed from the band and found his place as the front-man for fellow rockers Drowning Pool, his shoes in SOiL were filled by A.J Cavalier. A tip of the hat where respect is due, as Cavalier may have had some part in keeping the band alive, releasing two records with the (then) remaining members, a period marked here with the inclusions of “Like It Is” and “Lesser Man” among others. However, he was not the true voice behind the band, nor was he the right size to fill those shoes, making the return of McCombs and his voice that can and does level any venue he projects it in, all the more welcoming. In addition to this, and exclusive to this record, the band include an acoustic version of “Can You Heal Me” which they recorded with and in the home studio of the late, great Dimebag Darrell. In the same vain of remembering those no longer with us, an alternative version of “Give It Up” with vocal duties shared alongside Wayne Static of Static-X sits among the track-list, as does a haunting rendition of “Rusty Cage” by Soundgarden, a nod to the recently passed and universally appreciated Chris Cornell.
If all this wasn’t enough, “Broken Wings (El Chupacabra Version)” from an early EP, “Road To Ruin”, and the bands renowned set closer and pumped cover of Ram Jam‘s “Black Betty” from 1999’s ‘Throttle Junkies’ all make an appearance. “Pride” from ‘Redefine’ with both a studio and ‘Re-LIVE-ing the Scars. In London’ version of “Halo” further aid in filling out the twenty tracks for twenty years best of.
[metalwani_content_ad]
So what constitutes a greatest hits? It would be all too simple to compile a collection of the most popular songs of your career. Instead, SOiL, in their current lineup of Ryan McCombs (Vocals), Tim King (Bass), Adam Zadel (Guitars) and Mitch Gable (Drums), went a step further. ‘SCREAM: The Essentials’ marks some momentous occasions while demonstrating the band’s uniqueness and strength, all the while paying respect to the past, the fallen, and to all things SOiL. In an age of the “This is the End but We’re Already Planning a Reunion” and glorified greatest hits tours, this collection stands out among much of the rest and is exactly what it says on the tin. A list of essential tracks to mark their twenty year career, making ‘SCREAM’ an essential part of any fans collection. Here’s to another twenty of one the best hard rock bands around.