Album Review: Evil Scarecrow – Silicon Tea (Deadbox Records)

Evil Scarecrow, the beloved UK metal band known for their eclectic mix of influences blended with absurd humour, triumphantly return with their 5th studio album ‘Silicon Tea’. Out on October 1st via Deadbox Records.

What was your first experience of Evil Scarecrow and how much of an impact did it have? For many thinking back now, a smile will have already spread across the face because that is what this band does. They make us smile, they make us laugh, they make us move our bodies (sometimes in the oddest ways), they make us bang our heads, but most of all, they make us happy.

They’ve been making us happy for a long time now, and that isn’t going to change once the wide and varied fanbase wrap their ears around this brand-new album. In fact, there are some tracks on this album that will make the smile seem downright manic, such is the width it will grow too.

Innuendo? In your end-do. No, seriously, it’s Evil Scarecrow and they’re far more entertaining. Capable of referencing serious issues relevant to now but doing so in a tongue in cheek way. Of course, alongside tracks like that, we also have tracks about bad weather at festivals and the challenge of trying to figure out which of your bins is supposed to be put out this week. The real shit, you know?

This might be the most varied Evil Scarecrow record yet. It opens with the excellent Nuclear Fallout Machine Sentience. A song about a sentient nuclear submarine that is on a mission to ‘Ødelegge alle mennesker’ (destroy all people). It’s not the most energetic track, but what it does have is a thumping beat, massive chant-along vocals, sci-fi infused melody, and an old-school hair-raising guitar solo.

Fast and heavy, Shred the Evidence is a delightful slice of speed metal, before the excellent Shoptimus Prime showcases potent anthemic elements via a more melodic approach, without losing its heavy edge. Some great use of synth, a chant along chorus, a strong guitar solo, and clever lyrics, it is Evil Scarecrow at their best. Then, just for fun, here’s a pop-punk infused effort called Green Bin Day. Which, having recently moved into a house that has four f**king bins of varied colour, I can really relate to this now. I told you, varied as hell, and so much fun too.

The middle of the album arrives with a recent classic, Master of the Dojo. A track that was first released back in 2021 and has been a staple of their live show ever since. Isn’t it fun? Isn’t it so damn catchy? Isn’t it so very Evil Scarecrow!? Be under no false illusions, varied or not, the album has their distinct sound and style, and long-term listeners will feel right at home. Especially when epic, harmonised efforts like Release the Krakhen, doomy and dark heavy efforts like Welly in the Mud, and dystopian and funny efforts like Wrath of the Sexbots exist.

This is some really strong music, and it wraps up with a ‘laugh out loud’ brilliant tribute to 80’s heavy metal. It’s The Future Machine and it’s the cherry on top. Evil Scarecrow have done it again, releasing an album packed with bangers, and making us all so very happy in the process.

Evil Scarecrow – Silicon Tea Track Listing:

1. Nuclear Fallout Machine Sentience
2. Shred the Evidence
3. Shoptimus Prime
4. Green Bin Day
5. Master of the Dojo
6. Release the Krakhen
7. Welly in the Mud
8. Wrath of the Sexbots
9. The Future Machine

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