The Bay Area's Scorched-Earth Policy have returned with yet another four song offering of their music. Sounding even more mature, convincing and better than either of their last two discs, the quintet is sounding prime here as they blast through a batch of new tunes. Continuing their marriage of accessible songs with hooky elements and an all-out barrage of metallic aggression, there's no denying their power and performance and I believe the band could appeal to both older and younger fans. One thing that sets the guys a bit apart is that the drumwork is quite a bit busier and more tribal in it's percussive accentuation which really drives the music yet gives it a groovy, uplifting vibe. I believe the guys already have an offer or two on the table so I'm thinking we should see a national full-length from Scorched-Earth Policy later in the year.
- Marco Barbieri, Ill Literature Magazine, June 2001
Brilliant!
- RockHard Magazine, Germany, January 2001
Having liked their last offering titled "Tones of Ambivalence XCIX" [CoC #40], I was excited to hear what new sounds the band was going to push for with the new "Boot-Camp Demo 2000". Just how would it stack up? Well, it is safe to say that the band's latest batch of material is a powerful set of strong, highly balanced songs with steady rhythms and heavy guitar riffs. Some definite Bay Area influences are apparent, as the band rifles through such killer numbers as "Come Clean" and the heavy "Politics". The band no doubt is painting their take on society with each number, but it is kind of cool how they have managed to stay heavy and deliver numerous messages with their music. Tight, fast and in need of being signed, Scorched-Earth Policy is the real deal when it comes to thrash/speed metal. It seems the Bay Area has struck again. Support SEP!
(4 / 5)
- Adrian Bromley, Unrestrained Magazine/Chonicles of Chaos Webzine, Toronto, Canada, January 2001
Leave it to Oakland's Scorched-Earth Policy to follow up their 1999 demo EP, Tones of Ambivalence XCIX, with another quality outing. Formed in 1997, the quintet delve further into their influences offering hard rockin' tunes with plenty metal of crunch and a tinge of bong rocking escapades.
Driven by meaty riffs, smart samples and quality Sacred Reich-esque vocals, S.E.P. hammers out four quality songs that were inspired by the likes of Orange 9mm, Helmet, and Earth Crisis. Perhaps the most diverse tune here, "F.I.N.E.", is also the most personal and introspective of the bunch. Halftime snare blasts help a chugging riff ride Miller's nice pipes through a story about finding yourself. It's here and on the set closer "Reclusion" that Miller also shows the satiny side of his voice, which teeters between Alice in Chains' Layne Staley and Pantera's Phil Anselmo. The dual axe attack of M. Lamb and C. Santiago - solos floating over start-stop riffs - also has "Reclusion" setting off a trippy flavor. "Come Clean" is reminiscent of early Voivod and Snapcase with it's high note guitar intrusions aiding the deep rumble of chunky riffs.
Also refreshing about S.E.P. is their seemingly subtle attention to lyrical themes and concepts. Main lyricists Miller and Lamb gently approach issues: "Fuck all these politics and cliques/You get down/you stay down/You work hard and pave your own ground/Separate, liberate yourself from the ignorant", they sing in "Politics". In addition to the obvious talent of S.E.P., outstanding production quality places this demo far above the rest in this month's batch. S.E.P. is clearly ready ready for some action - like signing to a decent label.
- Dylan Gadino, Metal Maniacs Magazine, October 2001I love this band. This is high quality demo material, from its professional packaging (love the soft-cover plastic CD cases) and presentation to the quality of the recording, songwriting, and musicians' performances. Scorched-Earth Policy, from Oakland, CA (home of my beloved Raiders!!!), definitely have that Bay Area Sound. Which one, you ask? The Machine Head/Skinlab one (and not the Testament/Forbidden or Exhumed/Impaled versions). Vocalist John Miller (formerly of Wardance, which also featured Exodus' Gary Holt and Tom Hunting) is just plain excellent, with his ability to inject a bit of Stayley and Hetfield into his Flynn-worship. The lyrics to tracks like "Politics" and "F.I.N.E." are standard yet powerful, and the rhythmic delivery of the vocal patterns really enhances their impact.
The production is also killer, with the recording done by Thilo Fehlinger (Skinlab, 40 Grit) and the great Neil Kernon (Judas Priest, Queensryche, Nevermore) mixing a couple of the demo's four tracks (including the aforementioned "F.I.N.E.," which is at times reminiscent of Skinlab's "Second Skin" yet probably more commercial, and is the album's clear best track - love the higher-pitched vocals at the end as the track fades out, wished they'd push that direction further). Which begs the question. These guys seem nice enough, having written a friendly, professional-looking letter to go with the packaging. Their material is exceptionally well-presented. They are connected enough to be working with Neil Kernon and have band members who've recently been in bands with former Exodus members. Their 1999 effort received favorable reviews from Metal Maniacs, Ill Literature, Chronicles of Chaos and Enslain. Can someone explain to me why they remain unsigned??!!!?? If anything, it is a sense that this sound might be a bit played, although they do display enough of a measure of their own originality to make me think they're past that accusation. Anyway, this is an excellent effort. If I was to score this based on my own tastes, I might give it a four, simply because it is so evocative of the Machine Head/Skinlab thing. But then I remind myself: this is an unsigned band! This isn't the latest release from Roadrunner or Atlantic records. These guys aren't playing the Ozzfest in the summer of 2001. And they should be. So, as a demo, this one has to get the top score. (5 of 5)
- Metal Judgment Webzine, New York City, December 2000Scorched-Earth Policy are an oddity, a band who defy classification, yet one who are extremely sharp and focused with a bruise inducing form of cut-throat metal. Like some kind of shape shifter, their sound can bring to mind Alice In Chains and Soundgarden but rather than feeling grunge inspired, they are guided by grinding percussion and a touch of new metal along the lines of Disturbed and acts like Machine Head, Stuck Mojo and Unjust. Yet despite sounding like these bands occasionally, they never become a copycat act and instead have a potent brand of musical vengeance all their own and thankfully they are more than talented enough to dish it out accordingly.
Fast paced growling vocals melt into throaty wails that keep the intensity levels roaring rather than providing a cool off period as melody is used more aggressively here than most bands. Various change ups are also in play, making each vocal excursion retain
strength and not feel flat or repetitive after a few listens. Resilient and fiery, this band effortlessly combine the traditional yet fast paced aspects of metal ala Stuck Mojo, but rather than rap they prefer vocal structures that sound like the middle ground between
metalcore and grunge and as such their fierce dynamics constantly charge at the listeners eardrums like a stampede of provoked rhinos. Of course the aggression isn't all the band have under their belts as there are a few almost space jam/stoner rock inspired psychedelic moments, but they are by no means slackly done and do not need the assistance of drugs to help bring out the their allure and intricacies.
When it all boils down to it though, this band have what it takes to get the energy high and although the mainstream might not be ready for such a brazen combination of old metal meets new, you can bet there will be a ton of old school metalheads who could definitely be helped brought up to speed with the assistance of this bands explosive aural mortar of a demo. The four tracks contained here are bone crunchingly heavy and thrive on diversity, while still being pointed and deep. It may take a bit for Scorched-Earth Policy to gain momentum as they aren't your typical run of the mill metal band, but with a bit of luck we might be in for one serious loss of habitat worldwide sometime soon.
This band has been together for a while and it puzzles me why they don't have a recording contract yet. If you look at the flood of awful untalented geeks into the scene nowadays it's even more surprising! Different from last demo and there's definitely a strong evolution going here compared to previous work. Think of Skinlab and Machine Head/Pissing Razors style riffs but with much more emphasis on song structure and a very good vocal delivery from Miller. Strong guitar work, very nice hooks and altogether a band that delivers.
The songs are a perfect mix of metal/grungy influences and some very fine arrangements all over. You can hear the band has spent some time working on these songs and I'm about 100% sure that, with the right people behind a release they could do very well. Just a little more rawness on the guitars and a packing punchy sound on the drums and this will knock you off your feet any day. Excellent!
- Concrete Web, Belgium, February 2001
Today's demo review comes from Oakland, CA. The band is called Scorched-Earth Policy and they bring to the table what they call the "Bootcamp Demo." From the depths of San Francisco Bay, rose this hard-corps quartet back in 1997.
With two EPs already under their belt; 1998's "Insurrection," and 1999's "Tones of Ambivalence XCIX," produced by Grammy award-winning producer Neil Kernon (Judas Priest, Queensryche, Nevermore), Scorched-Earth Policy has ignited the flame and has gained the attention of several college/independent radio stations in the US and Europe, as well as many of my fellow reviewers. In March of 2000, Scorched-Earth Policy entered Trident Studios with veteran engineer Thilo Fehlinger (Skinlab, 40 Grit) to lay down the four blistering tracks that comprise "Bootcamp 2000." In fact, Neil Kernon was so impressed that he offered to mix a few of the new tracks. The band was started by guitarist Mark Lamb and drummer Lance Lea. Rounding out the entourage are vocalist John Miller, who once was in Wardance, an offspring project of Exodus members Gary Holt and Tom Hunting, ex-Bonecrusher guitarist Carlos Santiago and bassist George Astin. With the pertinent bio info out of the way, let's spin the disc.
Leading this brutal metal massacre is "Come Clean." A surefire pit igniter, the listener is bombarded by Miller's hardcore rant and a two pronged guitar attack. SEP blends both old and new styles of metal. The vocals definitely sound new as does one guitar whilst the other sounds more like Exodus and other Bay area thrash kings. Even though they are loud and noisy, I hear some good fretwork going on with the second guitar as well. Up next is a dual vocal foray called "Politics." Initially we hear two vocalists singing the same words in different voices. One higher and the other much deeper and menacing. Heavy guitars aren't scarce here as SEP cranks out some righteous string breakers. "F.I.N.E.," continues along the road well trodden drawing influences from the likes of Sevendust, Machine Head and even "Soul Searching Sun" era Life of Agony. This offering is more melodic even in its heaviness.
Lastly is "Reclusion," starting with some ditty of a blues sample or something, it picks up tremendously, reverting back to Miller's Lajon Witherspoon meets Layne Staley rasp. The guitars even invade the territory of prog metal for awhile, adding a whole new dimension to this onslaught. As a whole I really liked this demo. Miller's vocal ability did extreme justice to this guitar driven invasion as SEP showed us
how draining "bootcamp" can really be.
More goodies from the San Francisco Bay area is this five-piece underground trophy. I was blown away by this four-song demo/CD with riffs out the ass, skank, mosh and
aggressive to prog-metal shifting in the songwriting.The kind of result you would get if you took some Stuck Mojo, Sevendust, Life of Agony , Fear Factory and Machine Head--throw them in a melting pot! The band alone has been getting serious feedback since their beginning in '97, and I saw so many great reviews, it made me wonder, but the critics are right, these guys are just phenomenal! Try it out yourself; you won't be disappointed!
- Jason Savage, KNAC.com, November 2001
- Wayne Klinger, Ballbuster Magazine, Louisville, KY, December 2000