Customer Reviews

Redefine

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I was a big fan of Scars. It is more or less straight out rock and roll, well written riffs with catchy choruses. With ReDefine, Soil has grown musically in many ways.

Somehow, this album is both heavier and more melodic than Scars was. You can tell the BLS influence here. Songs like "Can You Heal Me" and "Obsession" really showcase what I'm talking about. They are melodic, but really heavy at the same time.

Soil also developed tempo changes that weren't present on Scars. Their timing on certain songs just makes them that much more powerful. Cross My Heart showcases this.

As with Scars, it kicks off with the fist-pounding anthem...in this case, Pride. This is the one that is gonna get you goin really quick...perfect opening track.

The other thing you will notice is the harmony of vocals. Adam did do some vocals on Scars (most notably My Own), but here they take harmony, and it sounds really excellent as he and Ryan's voices are very complimentary of each other.

If you liked Scars, you'll love ReDefine. If you hated Scars, you'll still probably find something to like about ReDefine. If only every band would grow the way Soil did.

Soil hasn't redefined anything on their follow-up to 2001's Scars, but they didn't need to either. Scars was quite an enjoyable slab of hard and heavy anthemic rock, and Redefine does nothing more than tighten the pace and focus. Right out the gate, Soil belts out some of the best songs of their career thus far, with Pride, Remember, and Cross My Heart of considerable note. The band starts to lose their touch near the end with filler tracks like Something Real and Say You Will, but the drop in quality is mercifully short as the band kicks back into high gear for the closing tracks. Although music lovers expecting a more varied listen might be a little disappointed, those in the mood for a powerful guitar assault will find all they are looking for in Soil's Redefine.

The first song I heard from REDEFINE was PRIDE, it is on the Madden 2004 soundtrack. That song rocks, so when I had the chance, I went out and bought the CD. I can say that I am totally pleased with my choice. This Cd just rocks, and unlike alot of bands, SOIL doesnt seem to be doing what is popular. The music is hard and the lyrics are good and this album should do real well. My favorite songs from the cd are PRIDE, CROSS MY HEART, SAY YOU WILL, REMEMBER and SUFFERING. If you are a fan of metal or hard rock, then I suggest that you add this disc to your collection. I dont think you will be disappointed.

...And the title pretty much says it all. These guys are going to get labeled as new metal, but this CD just flat out rocks. Redefine is fairly simple, focused, and calmer than Scars for the most part, but it's solid. Definitely one of the top 10 CD's of 2004.

Highlights: "Cross My Heart" is excellent, my personal favorite. The heaviest song on here, both musically and emotionally. It's got great riffs and anger galore, a very dark tone that's different from everything else on this CD. "Pride" opens the CD with a ton of energy, and the energy of this song makes it a good one. First single "Redefine" is next, and it is also a great song. It's fairly calm, but it still rocks hard. Closer "Obsession" is another one of my favorites on here, it's very different, almost progressive. They use acoustic guitar, and piano at times during the interludes of that one, and it's a nice touch. The double bass drumline in the bridge of the song really stands out, and its one of the parts that comes together to make the song excellent. Other good songs include "Suffering", "Say You Will", and "Love Hate Game". But every song on here is good at least. I'd recommend this CD to anyone who likes modern hard rock and metal, cause it certainly does rock. 8/10.

I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Soil, Live in Concert with Static-X in a small venue, and this band is up and coming for a reason. Ryan McCombs is one of the best vocalists out there in heavy metal. His vocals are absolutely clear and on key, filled and fleshed out to full capacity, whether growling, shouting, or crooning.

I have been a fan for a long time and just waiting for Soil to come to the west coast, and I was both impressed and astounded at how well this band meshes their talents together both on their CD's and on the stage. I was skeptical if Soil could possibly top their previous effort, "Scars", because there was not one song on Scars that I did not like. Redefine proves that Soil has

"Pride" is their main single on this album, a heavy and driving piece that sets the tone for Redefine, showcasing Ryan's vocals and giving the listener a taste of the thrumming and chugging beat that the CD holds true throughout its entirety.

"Redefine" has that hard rock sound with a flowing vocal track that makes heavy sound almost mellow, but retains it's heavy rock base. This is the first song that brings in what I like to call the "Railroad Beat", a heavy chugging base of guitar, bass, and drum that literally lays down the tracks for the roughened vocals to travel over, making a very fine ride indeed for the listener.

In "Can You Heal Me", thrumming guitars and bass back up Ryan's powerful pleading and clear lengthy notes on this driving tune, climaxing with some great hot guitar licks. The lyrics are almost rhetorical, in not necessarily asking the question of can you help me, but rather, in my interpretation, more of a remark that you can't, and that I will have to heal myself. Buy the CD or check their website and tell me what you think of these lyrics.

"Cross my Heart" is one of my favorites on this album. Soil did this live at their concert and there is no way to describe how great it was live. Railroad beat, powerful vocals, a beat you can rock to, or mosh to, and some amazing guitars and bass.

"Deny Me" brings in the sounds of a Sitar, and manages to blend it into a driving, heavy and thrumming showcase for Soil, Ryan's vocals growling and clear and the beat a true headbanging "Can't stop my neck from bobbing" festival of sound. One of the absolute best songs of the CD, a powerhouse tune.

"Something Real" has a dark undertone that separates it from the crowd, an air of angst and longing that meshes perfectly with the lyrics, "I wait for something, you gave me nothing, I wait for something real". A beautiful moment of Ryan singing with only guitar behind him does not distract or take away from the heavy beat of the song. Perfection!

"Say You Will" takes us right back into a heavy driving beat that you will jump around to, not the most notable but still better than the other muck being offered by lesser new bands. "I am the disease in your veins, still, say you will."

"Love Hate Game" is another pounding and driving metal fest, spotlighting Ryan's louder voice and growling shouts. "Love Hate Game, Sinner Saint Same". Fantastic lyrics and a real thrashing dance tune.

"Obsession" will mellow it out about as much as Unreal mellowed it out on "Scars", which means that Ryan will showcase his crooner's voice without sacrificing the metal core of the band. Of a particular interesting and pleasing note, there is some acoustical guitar rifts in Obsession that take on the Spanish intonation, adding depth to the song and highlights to the vocals.

Absolutely stunning, head-banging, "keeping Rock where it ought to be" CD. Go out and buy this if you LOVE rock and metal. Enjoy!!

Soil's "Redefine" is what a hard rock/metal CD should be. Keeping the aggression from "Scars" and infusing it with Alice In Chains and Black Label Society-like melodies, the band remains energetic, but with hooks aplenty. Songs like the title track and "Remember"(a tribute to Drowning Pool singer Dave Williams) sacrifice none of the grit the band is known for, while stepping up the songwriting noticeably. Vocalist Ryan McCombs stands out more, effectively channeling Layne Stayley and Zakk Wylde at the same time. The band sounds supremely confident on "Can You Heal Me" and "Deny Me," switching easily from and eerie dissonant openings to jackhammering rhythm guitars and drums. Soil shows very deftly how a band's sound can evolve and maintain its initial integrity at the same time. Fans of Damageplan and the afforementioned Black Label Society should dig this.

This is definitely one of my favorite CDs. The lyrics are awesome, the music is great. It's one of the few CDs I can play all the way though and not need to skip any tracks.

Ok im going to put it simple for everyone...this album is by far one of the best I have heard, recently or going back through the abums of the past it definately stands out. People who say that "if you liked scars, you wont like this, and if u didnt than this may be the album for you" are so far off base its not even funny. I think that the two cds are different yes, but it is good for a band to b a little different sometimes, and show they can do other things than what they have just become famous for. I have gotten almost all of my friends hooked onto SOiL, and not one of them, or myself, likes one cd more than the other cd. SOiL is all around an amazing band, and if you don't own the albums Scars or Redefine, GET THEM! Cause you are seriously missing out. Trust me you wont be sorry.

Ok some of you guys are right..cept for the one who said that it was only worth one star. If you have no clue of the background of the band or have never heard any older stuff and liked it dont buy it! As I have been down with SOiL since their debut in 97 with their SOiL "Worm" EP. I love this band and have personally met all the members..they put their hearts and souls into this music and I praise them for that. I love this whole cd I love their other 4 cds as well. As for a best, they all rock and if you like this cd i suggest you get the other 4, you wont regret it!
~#1SOiLiTE~

im going through a real rough time in my life right now and its really hard to not just max my car out into a tree but i bought this cd and just listening to it seems to numb the pain its awesome i can just listen to it relax and forget everything great cd great rock love this band see ya