South of Sanity stands with those truly talented bands that self-produce and avoid conforming to anything for the sake
of popularity. Though the guys don't aim to sound like anyone but themselves, they have a healthy dose of popular influences that can easily be heard
in the music. "Down" contains a raw, under-produced sound tinged with an aftertaste - like the crunch Phil Anselmo adds to "Would" when singing with
Alice In Chains.
"Can't Be" seems tighter in its production meaning that buried or frizzy quality sounds clearer. The lyrics also come across tighter and a bit
better written, but that doesn't mean I like "Can't Be" more than "Down." The songs showcase different qualities of this diverse band. Also, I don't
pretend to know much about the 'right' notes and I couldn't point out what scale or key a song is in, but I know what I like and what sounds right to
me. The way the solos rip through the spaces between the choruses in "Can't Be" temper anger like a fist fight in a mosh pit. The phrase, "No I can't
be your ticket out/cuz I'm not in the plan/oh I can't be your everything/cuz I've only just begun" captures that peaceful hope the Carpenters brought
the nation in banking commercials with a fiery, modern twist that audiences will quickly relate to and fall in love with…as they fight their way out
of most pits.
"False Hope" edges on the anger that all South of Sanity's songs examine with a growling pre-chorus that unleashes into the chorus with sustained
vocal integrity; the "pretty" rides the tail of an evil growl which makes this song hardcore and consumable.
South of Sanity submitted for our Metal Music feature for Fall 2008, but I wouldn't necessarily call them "metal," but metal-inspired with a
melodic sound and clear vocals reminiscent of Alice In Chains. Don't get me wrong, these guys can rock and play great licks, but in a grunge sort of
style more than hardcore, thrash, or black metal.
The lyrical ideas range from dark ideas of black angels' invitations to Hell in "Burn" to the kind of soft-hearted angel calling a friend away from
pain in "River."
The initials S.O.S plays on different meanings to the listener like a sense of purgatory between finding the strength to go on with a hard life and
throwing it all down for a mosh pit to consume.
The quality of escaping a tedious wait like a life spent striving toward greatness while never knowing just when recognition will come focuses in
the song, "Diamonds". Lyrics like, "and it's not my choice to make for if you live or die/ I don't have any answers please don't ask me why/ Cuz I
am just your messenger" show how in tune South Of Sanity stays with thoughts of making this life memorable and being joined along the ride.
"Hey baby welcome to paradise…don't throw it all down the drain"
South of Sanity would certainly rock a local venue or entertain the drive to work while played on the radio. The riffs stay smooth and still tear it
up at times, but the main benefit is the melody in the vocals which cascades often in sweet soloing. It's more than "A Roll of the Dice," it's the
energy and passion of creating an outlet for all. Because "the faces fade away but tomorrow brings another day" - from "Somber."
