Wow, this is pretty surprising. The band name and simple, punkish black and white graphics depicting war scenes and cops in riot gear, along with song titles like "Politics" and "Privileged", threw me for a loop because as opposed to punk of any sort this is really heavy, catchy rock with just the right amount of melody, tempo variation aplenty, and some great raspy singing.
There are some extremely brutal grooves and rhythmic passages that ever so barely touch on what could be considered nu-metal here and there, especially in tracks like "Politics" that sort of bring to mind recent Biohazard with a more melodic post-hardcore tinge to some of the chord progressions, but really for the most part this is just rockin' in the heaviest sense of the word.
The songs are really catchy and memorable, and I'd have to say pretty original as well. They're drawing from a vast palette of influences, because portions of "F.I.N.E." even remind me of Alice in Chains or something along those lines, continuing in the melodic/rhythmic vein but putting a little bit of reverb on some of the vocals and letting the rhythm section do a lot of the work, etc.
And combine those styles with a healthy dose of southern fried sludge, then toss in the use of some samples here and there and, well, you probably still won't get the picture but I don't know how else to put it! I guess it sort of sounds like newer Machine Head would sound if those guys could write a solid rock song to save their fuckin' lives.
The tracks are from two different recording sessions, as the CD combines two previously released EP's, so the production between the two sets is slightly different, but thankfully the majority of the tracks come from the stronger session. The bass tone is always dead center, pounding away amidst layers and layers of guitar work, and the drums sound fine. The vocals rest right in the heart of the mix with everything else, which also helps add to the effectiveness of the material because nothing overpowers.
The lyrics range from more personal issues such as those mentioned in "Denial" or "Come Clean" and the social commentary of tracks like "Target Market".
This definitely isn't for everyone, but it's pretty damn good. From a songwriting standpoint things are sounding alright to these ears, despite the fact that not one song clocks in at less than 4:30 (with most over five minutes) I don't really find myself getting bored. And yeah, there's definitely a bit of a radio friendly aspect to this, but at the same time it's the kind of shit you'll probably never hear on the radio. An odd situation indeed. Check it out if you're curious.[Notable tracks: F.I.N.E., Denial, Beat Back the Wolves]
I believe this is the first release of SCORCHED-EARTH POLICY under the license of a record label. This self-titled release is a combination of the two EPs the band has released so far as self-financed independent releases. Those EPs are "Tones Of Ambivalence XCIX" and "Bootcamp 2000".
Since I haven't heard the original songs, I can't tell how much they have changed or ameliorated them. But what I can surely tell is that SCORCHED-EARTH POLICY, coming from the Bay Area, do know how to play a good mix of metalcore, straight-forward metal, of the US school, and SPIRITUAL BEGGARS.
The music, despite not being innovative, is really in your face and with cool riffs. The production is a bit fuzzy but this doesn't prevent you from listening with pleasure the whole album. A really good debut album. We wish them good luck on their next step. They are worth it
You never know these days. I figured, with a name like Scorched-Earth Policy, black and white ruins and cops on the cover, and released by Rage of Achilles, this must be some sort of post-crust insanity. To my dismay, this is a much more musical affair.
Part Pantera, part Machine Head, part Danzig, part Alice in Chains, part Soundgarden, a bit of Pearl Jam, a bit of Stuck Mojo (on "Politics"), and a total Monster Magnet tibute/rip-off (on "F.I.N.E." and "Privileged"). Sounds messy? It's not. It flows about, joyously posing its power-stoner-rap-grunge-testosterone metal muscles.
But, what is this doing on ROA? I've grown to except materials that are way more experimental and harsh from the label. The only bits to come across as fresh are the awesome in-between song samples. And, indeed, "F.I.N.E.", emerging like a driving, intoxicating desert monster. Magnet. And the closing two minutes of the album, starring someone quoting Ozzy's "shoot,shoot," from 'Suicide Solution' with some choirboy on top. I'm confused.
Bay Area boys Scorched-Earth Policy may be capable of summoning up the same dirgy spirits as prime Soundgarden (or Disturbed at the very least), but essentially this is old school metal.
And it's strangely refreshing to hear a band similar to the legions of chugging buffoons we worshipped back in the late '80s.
The San Francisco connection is an important one, not least because sonically Scorched Earth Policy are half-way between mid-career Metallica and Machine Head, with a touch of East Coast legends Anthrax and a load of sampled dialogue thrown in. But while 'Politics' and 'F.I.N.E.' do a good job of sticking to the blueprint a touch of originality wouldn't go amiss. [Key Tracks: Come Clean, Politics, and Reclusion]
Attention: Calling all major labels, calling all major labels, I think we have a winner! Hailing from San Francisco, SEP are a fairly new band that isn't famous yet, but damn well should be!
What is it about the Bay Area that produces awesome bands? Anyway, SEP plays some heavy groove-laden metal that is best classified as what new Machine Head is shooting for, minus the rap-rock overtones. Let me say that again, this is NOT rap-rock!
Instead of rap, the band deliver one of the best new vocalists to hit the scene in quite some time in the single monikered Miller.
This guys has a damn full set of pipes! Rich, deep, and powerful, itís his voice that truly makes SEP rise above. TOAXCIX is the older of the two discs offered here as it was originally released in '99.
The disc is a great intro into SEPís world of crushing guitars coupled with gruff but still slightly melodic vocals. All 4 songs here are truly kickass, with "Target Market" standing above the other three.
The band's music rarely rises into a tempo beyond mid-pace, but when it does it is one punishing ride! This is some awesome shit right here!
Scorched-Earth Policy are a new acquaintance to the European audience, since they have released only two EPs until now, in U.S.A. only. The five Americans put both two EPs in this CD and released it in Europe through the English Rage Of Achilles record company.
They play a difficult-to-label kind of music. And that's surely good and positive. Firstly, the production is clearly stoner-like, like Fu Manchu or even Kyuss (just a bit). The songs, rhythm based on bass while the guitars are not in the frontline, balance between heavy rock and stoner rock, with a few references to the '90s Seattle sound.
Did I trouble you? Hehe! No matter my description, labeling is one thing I dislike, Scorched-Earth Policy embody in their music all that as well as some nu-metal elements here and there, that make the whole thing richer. It's good music, groovy, with this dark, muddy atmosphere covering it...
For about five years, Scorched-Earth Policy has been foraying into the depths of metal. This sampler CD features selections from a European release (self-titled, 2001) as well as upcoming material currently being worked over in the studio.
The two CDs give a broader sense of S-EP's developing sound, but it also becomes quickly apparent that S-EP's earlier release is already a very well developed piece of music. Their sound is epic, using aggressive dynamics and manic guitar parts like the running riff in "Reclusion" yet S-EP is not choked by machismo.
There's definitely a focus on the craftsmanship of these songs, not just brute force. This two-guitar band takes advantage of the extra ax and creates a layered sound, incorporating dissonant drones over riffs bursting like machine guns. It's refreshing to hear a band take two guitars and treat them as separate instruments instead of running one guitar idea in stereo.
This approach helps strengthen the accents and allows the music to transition more smoothly. Not only that, but anything heard on the CD will be heard live; the harmonic accents and artificial harmonic squeals aren't lost from studio to stage. On the whole, the band changes their tempo, meter, and all manner of song structure, giving the songs life without letting the feeling of the song get away. This cumulative complexity belies the group's effort to create a diverse sound within the framework of good heavy music. Many of the riffs are reworked through the course of a song, but tight bass and drums keep the guitars anchored. They incorporate lots of imaginative samples - some kitschy, some twisted - that provide another dimension of musicality to this band's sound. As for differences between the two CDs, the band seems more comparable to Corrosion of Conformity and Prong in the earlier release. Tool seem more influential on some of the later songs with S-EP's adventurous guitar solos. Be waiting anxiously for their next release, which will include five originals and a Neil Young cover.
This is a Bay Area band that I have to admit I had never heard of but I am glad that I have now. This is a four track EP.from 1999 that arrived along with "Bootcamp Demo 2000" and is a more hardcore influenced version of Rage Against The Machine to put it simply.
Obviously there is more to this band than just a slightly nastier version of RATM, but this seems to be the audience that SEP are aiming for.
And more power to them because with material like this they deserve to be recognised.
- 7/10, Aversionline.com, December 2001
- 7.5/10, Metaleagle.com, Greece, July 2002
- 6/10, Avi Pitchon, Terrorizer Magazine, October 2001
- KKK/KKKKK, Kerrang Magazine, England, October 2001
- 4/5, Waspman, Metal-Rules.com, September 2001