Soil

(Olympic)
by Scott Hefflon

A 20-minute self-titled debut from a Midwestern bunch of hopefuls sprinkled with a few veterans of the heavy underworld. Guitarist Shaun Glass (ex-Sindrome and Broken Hope), drummer Tom Schofield (ex-Oppressor) and producer Brian Griffin (guitarist of Broken Hope) combine forces to create Soil, and hell if it ain’t a force to be reckoned with. While still a little loose in their playing together, and kinda obvious in a few of their transitions and use of effects, Soil makes a very impressive debut. Vocalist Ryan McCombs combines a passionate delivery reminiscent of early Armored Saint’s John Bush (younger rivetheads might prefer to think of Acid Bath if the taste of Anthrax is a little sour), with swallowed enunciation similar to vintage Alice in Chains. While the latter is an obvious influence, perhaps with time, Soil can distance themselves from their roots (excuse the metaphor) and realize the potential they allude to here – one helluva brooding, heavy, chugging metal band.