March 19, 2026 – In a recent interview with Super Cool Radio, Tim King, the bassist for the veteran hard rock band SOIL, provided a comprehensive update on the band’s recording sessions for their first collection of new original material since the release of their 2013 album, "Whole." The band has dedicated a significant portion of the past two years to this endeavor, culminating in a near-complete project poised for release in the coming months.
King elaborated on SOIL’s recent activities, stating, "We did a U.K. and European tour in the end of 2024, and we pretty much took all of 2025 to write new music. We went in the studio, recorded new music. All that’s almost done. We’re going to go back and finish up a couple of songs. But new music is almost ready to go. We’re talking probably a couple months, and we’re gonna be setting up a release schedule for that." This dedicated period of creation marks a deliberate shift from their touring-heavy schedule in previous years, underscoring a focused commitment to generating fresh material.
The announcement of new music arrives after a period of renewed live activity. Following their extensive 2024 tour across the United Kingdom and Europe, SOIL is gearing up for a robust touring schedule in 2026. King detailed these plans: "We didn’t tour at all in 2025, so we’re making up for it here in 2026. [We’re] going out with our buddies in NONPOINT for a small little USA run. There’s a couple of sprinkled headline dates that are in there. And then we’re going to be hitting a lot of the great festivals this year, like Sonic Temple, Louder Than Life. We’re going back to the U.K. We’re actually in the works of setting up some more USA dates as we speak, and we’re gonna give the announcement for the new material, the release date for that." The inclusion of major festivals like Sonic Temple and Louder Than Life signals the band’s continued relevance and appeal to a broad rock audience.
A Shift in the Creative Process: Embracing Digital Collaboration
A notable aspect of SOIL’s recent creative output is the evolution of their songwriting methodology. Traditionally, the band relied on in-person collaboration within a rehearsal space. However, logistical challenges stemming from the geographical dispersal of band members necessitated a significant pivot.
"We definitely changed it up," King explained when asked about the differences in their writing and recording process. "Our original way that we always wrote, just because of how long we’ve been around, is sweating it out in the rehearsal space. Somebody would come with a riff or an idea, and we’d start building around it and see if we had something. We had the dry eraseboard up and we’d start cataloging songs and record ’em on the boombox. As we got around, into Pro Tools and stuff like that with a little setup."
The paradigm shift occurred with the widespread adoption of remote collaboration tools. "But this time around we did everything by Zoom," King revealed. "Cause me and Adam [Zadel, SOIL guitarist] still live in Chicago where the band was originally based, but everybody else is scattered. So we did a lot of Zoom writing, which was very new for us. We’d never done that before. We did a lot of trading back and forth with music and riffs and ideas and things like that. So it was definitely a new experience for us. And then, when we got in the studio is where everything, all the pegs started fitting into the proper holes. It’s, like, ‘Okay, we’re all together. We all know where we’re at.’"
This remote approach, while unconventional for the band, ultimately proved successful. The transition from digital idea-sharing to in-person studio refinement allowed for the seamless integration of their distinct musical identities. King emphasized the importance of their signature sound: "Me and Adam have very specific tones, so I came with my bass that I’ve recorded on every album except for our very first album, ‘Throttle Junkies’. I came in with that, came in with my effects and stuff like that, that I use on every record. It’s my SOIL sound. I basically didn’t give any leeway. I said, ‘I want this, I want that, I want this and that,’ and plugged it all in, did it, all that. And the producer’s, like, ‘Yep. I see what you mean about the SOIL sound. It’s right there. We’re not changing anything.’ And Adam uses his Kemper, which is a programmable amp. He just walked in with that, which looks like a deranged lunchbox, and plugged it into the control board, and we were good to go on tones. We definitely have our SOIL sound, so to speak, which we kind of just came in like a bowl in a china shop and said, ‘Here’s what our sound is, here’s what we’re using,’ plugged it in, and it worked again."
Recording Location and Historical Context
The new material was recorded at Sienna Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, a facility with a rich musical lineage. Formerly known as Quadraphonic studio, it is situated on Music Row, a historic hub of the American music industry. This choice of location adds another layer of significance to the band’s latest creative chapter.
SOIL’s recent discography showcases a consistent output of both new recordings and re-interpretations of their established catalog. In 2023, the band released "Restoration," a collection of studio re-recordings of their most popular hits. This project served to reintroduce iconic tracks such as "Halo" and "Breaking Down," both originating from their critically acclaimed 2001 album "Scars," to a contemporary audience. "Scars" itself was a pivotal album for SOIL, achieving significant commercial success and critical recognition, solidifying their position in the nu-metal and alternative metal scenes of the early 2000s.
Prior to "Restoration," SOIL released the album "Play It Forward" in August 2022. This release featured interpretations of songs that had inspired the band members throughout their careers, offering a glimpse into their musical influences. Before that, in September 2017, the band issued "Scream: The Essentials" through Pavement Entertainment and AFM Records. This retrospective compilation celebrated their 20-year anniversary, incorporating early recordings, alternate versions, and new mixes, providing a comprehensive overview of their evolution.
The Dual Role of Frontman Ryan McCombs
Adding another dimension to SOIL’s current landscape is the continued involvement of frontman Ryan McCombs with DROWNING POOL. In March 2023, it was announced that McCombs had rejoined his former band, DROWNING POOL. Importantly, this reunion does not signal a departure from SOIL. McCombs is reportedly committed to fronting both bands concurrently, a testament to his dedication and the enduring appeal of both projects. This dual role allows fans to experience his distinctive vocal contributions across a broader spectrum of his musical endeavors.
The strategic positioning of this new material within SOIL’s broader career narrative is significant. Following the successful "Restoration" project and a period of extensive touring, the delivery of original songs represents a forward-looking step. The integration of modern remote collaboration techniques with the band’s established sonic identity suggests an artistic evolution that respects their heritage while embracing contemporary creative workflows. The forthcoming touring schedule, encompassing festivals and club dates, indicates a robust commitment to bringing this new music to their dedicated fanbase.
The implications of this new material extend beyond just the band’s discography. For the hard rock and metal genres, the continued output of established bands like SOIL is a vital component of the scene’s vitality. Their ability to adapt their creative processes while retaining their core sound demonstrates resilience and a commitment to artistic growth. Furthermore, the successful implementation of remote songwriting for a band with a long history suggests a potential blueprint for other established acts facing similar geographical challenges. The music industry, in general, is increasingly recognizing the viability of distributed creative teams, and SOIL’s experience provides a practical case study. The anticipation surrounding the release date and the accompanying tour will undoubtedly be met with enthusiasm from their global fanbase, eager to hear the latest chapter in SOIL’s ongoing musical journey. The band’s commitment to maintaining their distinctive "SOIL sound" while exploring new creative avenues promises a compelling and authentic listening experience.