Scorched-Earth Policy "Salvage Nothing - 2002 Demo" CD
[self-released]
Here's a great demo from this California band that picks up where their last self-titled CD left off with plenty of diverse heavy rock drawing on influences that range from pummeling sludge/doom to tasteful grunge (don't cringe, I mean it in a good way) and straight ahead rock 'n' roll, as well as some subtle post-hardcore and industrial influences and things of that nature. The vocals are all over the place from forceful singing, to shouting, to speaking, etc. Samples are often used at the beginnings or ends of tracks, which is fine, but I would definitely like to hear them integrate those textures into the actual compositions more often, because it adds another interesting dimension to their music. The songs are pretty damn good, though. I'm really surprised that these guys are still without a label, because there's so much potential here. "Oblong" is very rhythmic with some awesome dissonant riffing and tons of added percussion just before the solo that sounds pretty fucking cool (plus the Buddy Rich sample at the end is a real winner). "Dissatisfaction" shifts back and forth from calm and dark to a strong rhythmic groove that's got a good rockin' tempo to it, and I also dig the layering of the guitar parts and the excellent vocal patterns. They even close out with a fuckin' Neil Young cover! "Don't Let it Bring You Down"! And it's not that bad at all! In fact, despite the fact that I am not a fan of Neil Young, this rendition is actually pretty damn good. The production is very nice for a demo, and this sounds better than their previous work. Everything is dense as hell, but very clear, and the mix is pretty even as well, so nothing is overpowering, the bass has some room to roam around, etc. As always there are some minor adjustments that could be made, but nothing worth mentioning in this case. The CD comes packaged in a plastic sleeve with one flap for the booklet and one to hold the CD, and everything is printed in black and white and yellow. Aside from some band photos the imagery seems to consist of odd scientific equipment or experiments. I like the lyrics, they have a nice flow and are just open enough to leave room for interpretation: "I caught a blind man staring at me the difference is obvious that exactly nothing is a mystery to me analyze the topic that we have chosen to be an infant unto us all it seems we're busting the seams evading the dreams that won't let us be give it a name now and push it far away then match the answers to all of the wrong questions..." I must say that visually this does leave a little to be desired, though it is just a demo... but musically they're still on the right track, and hopefully they'll start getting proper support in the future. Imagine a slew of unlikely candidates like Clutch, Neurosis, and Alice in Chains ganging up in a fistfight against Black Sabbath, Quicksand, and Machine Head. I know, I know... it doesn't make sense. But it's pretty good shit. (7/10)
Running time - 32:52, Tracks: 6
[Notable tracks: Oblong, Frozen]
Scorched-Earth Policy - http://www.scorched-earthpolicy.com

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