Review by Sheri Bicheno for MPM
Since my young years (not THAT long ago, cheeky!) of coming home from school and wacking on some mix of Nu Metal really quite loud nearly everyday, staying shut away in my bedroom… absorbing every lyric, every rhythm, every beat and every vibe… I think that you have to appreciate that SOiL is a full on plethora in the realms of that nostalgic time for every 90’s/early 2000’s metalhead kid.
Where for a lot of us, that is just plain stating common knowledge, SOiL have continued to keep true to their roots throughout their years on this earth – and as such, as the fully grown (adult?) person I am now, it makes me beam to see that the SOiL machine continues to turn.
On hearing that their brand new release, Play It Forward is a full length album of covers, I have to say I was a little apprehensive. Cover album’s aren’t always my cup of coffee (no tea… also no shade, my friends).
However… listening to some of the absolute banging selection of some of my favorite tracks that are featured on this album, I have to take some part in making it known that SOiL have displayed a pure ability to re-create a wide and diverse catalogue with their own vibe and style – yet… totally different respectively.
On first listening, the late and great Tom Petty’s Runnin’ Down A Dream introduces us to what we can expect coming.
The combination of heavy metal blues and SOiL’s broadening horizons with this offering is right up on that pedestal. If you’re a fan of Tom Petty (as I am) and you’re open to giving this track a try, you’ll need to heighten your expectations. This pretty much applies to the rest of the album, as it’s not your “normie” covers album. The band haven’t tried to micromanage their covers too much.
The first single of the album is Halseys‘ ‘Nightmare’ and it has a touch of an atmospheric intro, smoothing in with simple rhythms and riffs. Ryan’s vocals show us some new ranges in some places, touching upon the softer side to this track.
Watch “Nightmare” here:
I absolutely loved this album’s re-creation of Foo Fighters’ “Monkey Wrench”. Being it my favourite Foo’s track and that there’s a respectful tribute paid to the memory of Taylor Hawkins. This track was always fun and SOiL have definitely done it justice.
The riffs that utterly soak in with the rough and familiar-esque vocals to Black Betty present us with a headbanging rendition of this track like no other version before. Winding riffs and the hard beats that keep true to the rock genre of the original – however – lace it with SOiL’s roots and here you have a harder, thrasher version. A fun listen!
My favourite track on Play It Forward is easily The Ramones “I Wanna Be Sedated”.
As a youngster, I overplayed the original to death, it was absolutely living for this track.
And to be honest, listening to it in a more slower, heavier, metal infused version is both intriguing and well…weird!!
Still laced with the punk elements but then you are abruptly reminded that this isn’t the tempo you’re used to with I Wanna Be Sedated. I’d very much like to see what other opinions this track generates. I still wanna get up and absolutely let loose to this track though. Plus… SOiL’s twist on it means that you’re gonna be taken on a hell of a rollercoaster ride!
In all, I think that fans of SOiL are going to receive Play It Forward and find it pleasantly nostalgic, fun and well anticipated after the long break in between last album “Whole” and this new release. SOiL have made these tracks their own and it’s quite frankly, full of good vibes.

- Runnin’ Down A Dream
- Thunder Kiss ’65
- Nightmare
- No Voices In The Sky
- Snap Your Fingers Snap Your Neck
- Monkey Wrench
- What It’s Like
- I Wanna Be Sedated
- Rockin’ In The Free World
- Unsung
- Black Betty
SOiL are:
Ryan McCombs – Vocals
Adam Zadel – Guitars, Backing vocals
Tim King – Bass, Backing Vocals
T.J Taylor – Drums
Stream the single: https://orcd.co/soil_nightmare
From the album Play It Forward: Pre-order the CD/Vinyl: https://cleorecs.com/store/?s=soil+pl…
Pre-order/pre-save the digital: https://orcd.co/soil_play_it_forward
Connect with SOiL:
Official Website: www.soiltheband.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soilmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soil_official
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/soiltheband