What makes Soil by Soil notable?

Upon its release, Soil garnered significant attention within the underground metal community, leading to tours with notable bands like Kittie and ill Niño. The album helped shape the nu metal landscape of the late '90s and has since been recognized for its influence on subsequent bands within the genre. Soil's self-titled debut album arrived in 1997, marking their entry into the nascent nu metal scene just as the genre began gaining traction. Following a series of local performances and an EP release, this album established their sound and identity, setting the stage for their later successes.

Soil works well if you're into raw energy for short bursts, headbanging anthems for gatherings and melodic hooks with aggressive tones.

How many songs are on Soil?

Soil has 5 tracks, running approximately 20 minutes.

Soil

Soil · 1997

20 min · 5 tracks · hard rock

A raw fusion of aggressive riffs and melodic hooks that captures the angst of late '90s alternative metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Broken Wings — The opening track sets a powerful tone with its dynamic blend of heavy guitars and introspective lyrics, effectively showcasing the band's signature sound.
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Same Ol' Trip — This track stands out with its catchy chorus and relatable themes of disillusionment, embodying the struggles faced by many in the era.
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Yellow Lines — With its intricate guitar work and emotional depth, this song highlights the band's ability to fuse aggression with melody, making it a fan favorite.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

47 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

Soil's debut EP showcases solid songwriting and production, capturing the essence of late '90s nu metal.

What we noticed

The opening track features a heavy guitar riff that sets a raw tone, while the second track introduces melodic hooks that contrast with the aggression.
Each song maintains a consistent mid-tempo pace, with dynamic shifts in intensity that highlight the emotional weight of the lyrics.
The final track employs a slower tempo and atmospheric elements, creating a sense of closure that differs from the preceding tracks.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

raw energy for short bursts
headbanging anthems for gatherings
melodic hooks with aggressive tones
steady progression towards resolution

Maybe skip if you

prefer lengthy, immersive albums
seek soft, calming sounds

Where this album fits

Career context: Soil's self-titled debut album arrived in 1997, marking their entry into the nascent nu metal scene just as the genre began gaining traction. Following a series of local performances and an EP release, this album established their sound and identity, setting the stage for their later successes.
Stylistic neighbors: Mudvayne· Disturbed· Korn

New to Soil? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Broken Wings 4:21
2 No More, No Less 3:09
3 She 3:31
4 Same Ol' Trip 3:56
5 Yellow Lines 5:07

What to play next

Listen next

Throttle Junkies

1999

Full Soil discography Where to start with Soil Artists like Soil

alternative metal hard rock nu metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata