Philip Sayce: Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London Review

Recorded across intimate yet charged club settings in Los Angeles and London, Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London captures Philip Sayce in his natural habitat, on stage, plugged in, and fully unleashed. Backed by Sam Bolle on bass and Bryan Head on drums, Sayce makes no effort to dress things up beyond what’s necessary. The focus is on feel, interplay, and the kind of controlled chaos that only comes with years of arduous touring.

Sayce has long occupied an interesting space in modern blues rock. Born in Wales, raised in Canada, and now based in Los Angeles, he carries a bit of each of those influences in his playing. His style leans heavily on the tradition; you can hear echoes of Hendrix and the late-60s blues explosion, but it never sounds like imitation. Instead, there’s a rawness to his approach and a willingness to push things a little further, especially in a live setting.

That instinct is on full display from the opening moments of “One Foot in the Grave.” It’s a forceful, no-nonsense rocker, driven by sharp, aggressive guitar work that immediately establishes the album’s tone. “Once” follows with a more measured groove, leaning deeper into blues phrasing while still carrying that same intensity. Sayce lets the notes breathe a bit more here, but the fire never really dies down.

“Bitter Monday” pushes things forward again, another tightly wound performance where the band sounds completely in sync. Then comes “Peace Machine,” the album’s most expansive moment. At over nine minutes, it allows the trio to stretch out, building around extended, explosive guitar leads.

“Morning Star” keeps things grounded with a punchy approach, maintaining the album’s forward motion. There’s a clear sense of cohesion across these tracks, the kind that comes from a band sticking to what they do best. Still, there are moments where a slight shift in direction might have added an extra layer, even if the consistency itself is part of the appeal.

The closing take on “Spanish Castle Magic” leans heavier than its source material, trading some of the looseness of Hendrix’s original for a thicker, more muscular sound. It works as a closer, giving the album a final burst of energy while nodding to one of Sayce’s key influences.

The production doesn’t try to smooth things out too much, and that’s the right call. It captures the grit and immediacy of the performances, letting the rough edges be part of the experience.

Overall, Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London stands as a compelling live document, driven by palpable energy and tight-knit chemistry. It captures a band fully in sync, playing with confidence and instinct, resulting in a performance that remains engaging and consistent throughout.

The Review: 8/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– One Foot in The Grave
– Once
– Bitter Monday
– Spanish Castle Magic
– Peace Machine

The Big Hit

– Peace Machine