Sick Of It All

Scratch The Surface (EastWest)
by Paul Lee

This is unbridled fury served straight, no chaser. Scratch The Surface (EastWest) oozes with the nastiness and aggression of the badlands of NYC as only true hardcore outfit Sick Of It All can serve it up. Forget the rediscovery of punk; hook into the true school of hardcore to let fly your pent-up (or obviously seething) aggressions.

SOIA’s leap from independent labeldom to the majors hasn’t tarnished their power one iota. Scratch The Surface would make the most solid of foundations buckle under its intensely produced assault (and SOIA are responsible for the entire production of Scratch). They prove that it’s not whether you rewrite the annals of music history, but that you play with passion and integrity.

Yes, the basic roaring guitar with minor-chord changes, rumbling bass licks and jackhammer drums are all there, but SOIA do it so damn well. Singer Lou Koeller (with brother Pete on guitar) growls his pissed atonal vocals rivaling the great Rollins. Not a single guitar solo rests within the grooves (or 0s and 1s of the CD), there are just unrelenting power chords. Songs like the slightly over two minute track, “Goatless,” and “Farm Team” are brief and brutal and don’t let up. “Step Down” has a more anthemic punk feeling to it, with a chorus to be chanted by the masses.

Sick Of It All are no slouches in this world of too many slacker bands. Their lyrics reveal the intelligence and convictions that they have regarding our twisted and decaying world. For all their rage, SOIA remain positive and sticks to their collective guns. Scratch The Surface is a testament to the concept of positive anger and damn good music.