Detailed Reviews [Solstorm - 2019 - "II"]

Prolusion. Norwegian band SOLSTORM was formed back in 2008, and following the release of their self-titled EP in 2009 and the following self-titled full length debut album in 2011 they gained a reputation as a fine band exploring doom metal and related types of music. The album "II" is, as the title indicates, their second studio production, and the album was released in the fall of 2019 through Norwegian label Apollon Records.

Analysis. While the band's historical tie ins to doom metal and the more bleak related categories of metal is firmly in place also on this production, from my perspective Solstorm has become a band rather more expansive and expressive than being just that as of 2019. We get the doom-laden monumental riffs here and there true enough, and in some of the compositions this aspect of their expression is something of a foundation as well, but the greater totality is a much more widespread and broad spectrum of musical excursions. One ongoing detail throughout just about all of the songs are undercurrents of textured noise waves, often fluctuation at that, adding a distinct noise rock touch to the proceedings, one that may or may not be described as cosmic as well in some places. Textured overlays of the kinds we find in post rock and post metal bands is something of a staple throughout as well, and the structure of many of the songs isn't what one might describe as all that conventional either. Bleak ambient interludes, transitions and passages is a part of this totality too, at times so bleak and oppressive that they touch base with a venture such as US based Gridfailure - and on a side note to that it would have been really interesting to hear what Solstorm and Gridfailure might conjure together if they ever decided to collaborate. Bleak, expressive and fairly challenging music is the end result of this, with the mainly distantly placed vocals emphasizing the bleakness of it all, in whispered, croaked and shouted modes of delivery, often combining the aspects of the latter two in what I'd describe as croakshouting. As far as my own perceptions go there are creations here where the band doesn't quite manage to keep my attention, and while they never become boring or predictable I feel they do loose momentum here and there, and some of the dominant instrument motifs weren't quite my cup of tea. A vital band at their best though, and at least in mood and spirit they remind me ever so slightly of Norwegian cult band Munch as they came across on their self-titled debut album way back when.

Conclusion. Solstorm's second album "II" is a creation I feel will have something of a niche appeal. The niche in question will be people with a general taste in bleak, dystopian music, and those who know they will appreciate a band blending ambient sections with noise rock, post metal and doom metal I guess. Possibly with some industrial undercurrents as well.

Progmessor: May 2020
The Rating Room