Look out for that left field label Kalubone Records, because they are about to smack the crap out of you with a release heavy enough to break your back. The band is Oil, the album is Refine, and the metal is just what you wanted to hear!
This is Oil's second release, a follow up to their self titled album, which you may have caught a glimpse of from the 2000: The Second Coming Comp. CD where they were represented with the song 'When No One Cares.' Truthfully I didn't like that song at all. So I can honestly tell you that if you did hear that song either on that comp or another, and were turned off by Oil, you have to put that behind you. You OWE it to yourself to give this band another chance, with Refine they surely make up for any lost ground!
From the first chords to start pouring out of this CD you realize that you are in for a ride that is just heavy. The band ranges from slow thick grooves to speedy metal leads, to huge crunching parts that beat you to the floor. As you may know the lead vocalist of Oil (Ron Rinehart) is the former vocalist of secular metal band Dark Angel. His vocal style is very similar to Eternal Decision's vocals, gritty low end not engaging in a growl, but singing with lots of power and emotion. Riot vocals are used in a few places and man I just dig it when they are done in that old thrash style. Don't get me wrong this music does not sound dated at all, the band did very well bringing this music up to date. In addition, a couple of places have vocals that trade off to a high pitched Extol type vocal, this comes suddenly and without warning. The only complaint I can find with this release is the drumming. Not that it's bad because it's not, however it just doesn't stand out. When music gets this heavy you really get to the point where you want some blazing drums to finish off the obliteration, and more often than not on this album we get clean time keeping with an over abundant use of cymbals. There's more crash than boom you could say. So really I guess I'm saying I don't care for the drummers style more than anything else.
Lyrically this band is so on top of things it's not even funny. There's not a track on this CD that doesn't in some way proclaim God's love, show how God can heal your wounds, about the struggle of the Christian walk, and so on. Metal heads wake up this is a release that simply refuses to go ignored. Don't miss this one!
9/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #83Reviewed by Doug Van PeltOne of California's most promising metal bands is back with its second album. Wasting no time in staking its musical claim, Oil rips into "Divided," with muscular vocals riding comfortably above chopping riffs and double bass drumming. With "Waiting There," the riffs and groove only get bigger and heavier. All ten songs serve as body punches from the band to audience. They just don't slow down.…Art for the Ears 2000Reviewed by Marco PovervestThis is the new CD of the band that features Ron Rinehart, formerly of speedmetal monsters Dark Angel. Refine contains ten uncompromising heavy thrash tunes. Don't expect fast stuff as Oil focuses on heavy plodding riffs and the characteristic roughness in the voice of Ron. He sounds raw, almost snarling, and yet some of his screams are quite high. The songs feature guitar-solos while the band…The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Scotty TeemsThe impact of adult conversion experiences can be profound. Energy and zeal embody impassioned and immediate lifestyle changes. That kind of newfound glory--berthed from former Dark Angel frontman Ron Rinehart's recent salvation--is felt throughout Refine, the debut from southern California's Oil. Power metal in the most classic of ways, Refine is fast and furious, ripping through ten tracks of…Similar sounding releases
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