Soil are back with a new vocalist and a sort-of new sound. Overall, this album does exactly what it says on the tin, really. If you want heavy guitars, gruffly melodic vocals and pounding groove, then Soil have once again delivered on this, their 3rd album.
But - and it's a sad fact that there's a but - True Self doesn't quite live up to expectations. Scars (2001) and Redefine (2004) were flawless examples of a talented band blending the groove and grunge of Alice In Chains with heavier metal elements of Metallica and Machine Head (in my opinion). Ryan McCombs, the previous vocalist (now with Drowning Pool) had the perfect voice for the type of music they were producing - gruff but not too gruff, melodic without being too pop or commercial. Soil's new vocalist, AJ Cavalier is equally talented, but different. When he actually sings, he hits it perfectly, but his growls sound a little too generic.
"Last Chance", for example, sounds like the mid-point between old Soil and Machine Head, only lacking the panache and punch of either. The title track and "Give It Up", on the other hand, sound excellent, with melodies creeping back to the fore, utilising a good amount of weight without compromising on accessibility (something bands are sometimes prone to doing).
The second half of the album is the more melodic and 'commercial' half, with AJ using more melodic, yet still gruff vocals. First song "Fight For Life" is a little flat, which initially made the album a disappointment. It grows on you, though.
So, ultimately a good album, only I think they could have done a bit better. Musicianship is still very high quality, and the band sound tight as ever. But, it has left me eagerly anticipating what the new Drowning Pool are going to sound like...
Powerful, crunchy, gruff and accessible.
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