I'll say right off that these guys are one of the more interesting metal bands I've heard recently. The songs are well written, well played, and most of all, a lot of the riffs have a good sense of groove going on, and they establish this right from the start of their new album, MMVI.
This Bay Area band gets things off to a rip roaring start with the track "Dropping Names," which begins with a searing barrage of guitars and slowly works it's way into your brain. The two guitarists have obviously played together for some time, because their two styles on this track complement each other quite nicely with rigid, angular riffing in one speaker, and mesmerizing echoed melodies in the other. The rhythm section is also solid and tight, and the vocals change up styles quite a bit, from screamed/shouted vocals to more clean, melodic passages sometimes reaching into the upper ranges.
The seven tracks on this album are all pretty strong, although the fourth is some kind of acid-damaged metal tribute to Elvis that features a sample of a woman talking about making Elvis peanut butter and banana sandwiches. It's a short, two minute number that effectively splits the album in two, offering a bridge between the slower and more melodic number "Train Rolls Without You" and the upbeat dissonant riffing of "Regeneration." The sixth track reminded me a bit of what I've heard from A Perfect Circle, without the vocals or the slick over-polished feel of that band; just a mellower 3/4 waltz feel with good lead guitar work. They close with "Don't Let It Bring You Down," which reminds me more of the heavier radio-friendly acts of the '90's like The Deftones than the dirtier more aggressive numbers earlier in the disk. The cello they end the album with is a nice touch.
These guys blend a lot of styles together and cover tons of ground throughout the course of their album, so I have to say that I didn't always like everything they tried. Some of the backing vocals seemed a bit cheesy at times, but my complaints are few and far between. This is a solid album from a band that's obviously put in their time and continues to develop by evolving their sound.
I can see fans of Mastodon's latest disk getting into this one, as well as fans of more mainstream metal acts like Shadows Fall or Lamb of God. They steer into nu-metal realms at times, and usually this would bother me, but they manage to avoid the tired cliches of that genre such as the super down-tuned seven string guitars and rap rock rock vocals. All and all, this disk stands out for what it is - a solid slab of melodic metal and hard rock performed by a band with a willingness to experiment a bit without sacrificing the listen-ability and of their songs.
It's hard to believe it's been four years since Californian (Oakland) based Scorched-Earth Policy last released any new music (2002's independently released E.P. Salvage Nothing), but once again the quartet (Comprising of vocalist/guitarist Mark Lamb, guitarist Carlos Santiago, bassist Terry Goss and drummer Lance Lea) have put together another stunning collection of original tunes for their fourth effort MMVI. Once again joined once again by noted co-producer/co-mixer Thilo Fehlinger (Exodus, Skinlab, 40 Grit), Scorched-Earth Policy have once again delivered another seven track effort that shows the progression the band have made over the last four years.
The opening track Dropping Names is the first to show the contrast between Lamb's vocals and the now departed Richard Perot (Who featured on Salvage Nothing), with his delivery adding a little more raw aggression to Perot's subtle melodic style, while on the musical side of things, the track drifts from straight out progressive thrash, with a touch of a stoner like groove heard in places. There's no mistaking the thrash like influences on the driving Heartland, but it's the small moments of groove (Not to mention the searing solo around the half way mark) that really make the track stand out from the tried and true formula of most, while the laid back Train Rolls Without You completely turns things around with its easy going heavy rock groove, melodic vocals and infectious melodies.
Obviously recorded in an experimental frame of mind, the short Still The King (1935 - 1977) has Lamb butchering (In his own terms) the drum and bass underneath a bizarre tragic tale (Voiced by Goss) around a peanut butter/banana sandwich for Elvis gone wrong (Listen out for the awesome scream around the three quarter mark), while Regeneration returns the E.P. back to the heavier and thrashier side of things with a huge thumping groove provided by Lea on the kit. The instrumental Memorial Day allows Lamb to stretch his abilities on the six strings in tribute to many metal/hard rock legends that sadly passed away over the last few years, while the set is completed with the cover of Neil Young's Don't Let It Bring You Down, which also featured on Salvage Nothing (Under the title of D.L.I.B.Y.D., and featured Perot on vocals). Although identical the version that appeared on their last effort, I assume that its reprisal is due to its appearance on the upcoming metal tribute to Young due later in the year (Through Metaledge Records). Regardless, the reworking still holds its appeal four years later, and fits well within the context of the other songs.
The only disappointment to be really found with MMVI is something that's completely out of the bands hands, and that's the music industries complete lack of foresight in hearing talent when its clearly blasting away in front of them. I honestly can't recommend Scorched-Earth Policy or MMVI enough other than to say check it out. They were one of the more original sounding and genuinely genre free acts within the underground scene for years ago, and the same can be said today.
- Justin Donnelly, The Metal Forge.com, September 2006I've been waiting a long time for this. Scorched-Earth Policy is one of the most revered acts in NorCal, but it hasn't been easy. With critical acclaim for their four previous demos came varying degrees of turmoil and the necessity to change vocalists twice. So here we are with their latest demo and their latest vocalist switch, and now its guitarist and mastermind Mark Lamb taking over those duties. He fits the mold well, bearing a strong resemblance to vocalists pass, though lacking a bit of the charisma that comes from being able to concentrate solely on vocals. Musically, the material is strong, and while not as immediately memorable as past efforts, they grow on you over time.
"Heartland" stands in particular, a scathing social commentary with a type of heaviness not heard from these guys for years. They stretch out a bit too with "Train Rolls Without You," a track which could find them a spot on alternative radio. Also included is the Neil Young cover "Don't Let It Bring You Down," originally released on their previous demo but included here, since the tribute album it was intended for never materialized. It's something of a new era for Scorched-Earth Policy, and if there is any justice in the world, it will finally bring them the widespread recognition that they are long overdue for.
- Dave Pirtle, Zero Magazine, October 2006
It's not just the band's name. Scorched-Earth Policy also have a cover that screams crustpunk, plastered as it is with black and white photos of modern day insanity. It's surprising therefore to find that "MMVI" is a distinctly rock/metal affair. If that sounds disconcertingly vague, then it's because the band's sound is not especially easy to put a label on - not that it's staggeringly original or anything, but they draw from a wide range of influences. Rooted in modern urban thrash metal, there are also hints of Tool, Pantera, Neurosis and classic rock to be found here. The highlight of the seven songs is arguably the most commercial, "Train Rolls Without You", an emotive and vocally lush cut that adds a sizeable dose of Soundgarden to the proceedings. Elsewhere? A SunnO)))-like soundscape with a monologue about Elvis and a rocked up cover of Neil Young's "Don't Let It Bring You Down".
- 6.5/10, Dayal Patterson, Terrorizer Magazine - Issue #151, December 2006
Since 1997, California's Scorched Earth Policy have been establishing themselves among the passers by as an independent support act that's more than ready to receive their due. This debut full-length is no less of an argument. The group's mixture of bay-area ash and hardcore is less bullying than, say, Pro-Pain, but forwards similar political diatribes while carrying a largely adequate production and variety in their performance. _MMVI_ carefully alternates between the raging tempo and slow budding groove with soulful vocal delivery attached to each. Among the more peculiar tracks on _MMVI_ is a cover of Neil Young's "Don't Let It Bring You Down" and several treks upwards as songs like "Train Rolls Without You" recall Seattle's Alice in Chains, snippets of Sabbath not far behind. It's an outdated approach that here signals a plain sincerity in their work, but I think their most promising work still lays in that more aggressive domain. Seven tracks on pro-CD.
- 6.5/10, Todd DePalma, Chronicles of Chaos.com, November 2006
Top Ten S.F. Bay Area Metal albums of 2006
Number 4 - One of NorCal's longest running acts came back strong after numerous delays in the recording and release of their latest EP. The only thing keeping this one from ranking higher is the 2-3 throwaway tracks that show a different side to the band but sound quite out of place amongst their usual chaotic grooves.
- Dave Pirtle, Zero Magazine, October 2006