Solstice – To Dust
Solstice – To Dust
SPV
Release Date: 08/04/22
Running Time: 41:00
Review by Paul Hutchings
8/10
Having been part of the initial wave of Death Metal that surged through Florida, Solstice released two now revered albums in the first half of the 90’s: “Solstice” and “Pray”. A combination of Death and Thrash Metal, both albums carved a niche in the pantheons of Death Metal for eternity. Having gone their separate ways (founders Rob Barrett and Alex Marquez having already left to form Malevolent Creation after Solstice), it was something of a surprise when in 2009 a new, reformed line-up that included drummer Brian Harris (Foul Stench, later had a stint in Firewind and who is in print on YouTube comments saying that he was on this album as a hired gun – his performance is stellar, regardless), alongside guitarist / vocalist Christian Rudes, guitarist Dennis Munoz and bassist Garret Scott.
The Result was “To Dust”, 41 minutes of blisteringly heavy Death Metal that contains bruiser after bruiser with a cover of Cynic’s ‘Extremes’ included for good measure. Unrelenting from the opening bars of ‘Black’ through to the concluding ‘The Whisper’, this is an album for connoisseurs and newcomers to the band alike. The riffs are brutal, and memorable, the vocals of Rudes demonic and yet enunciated to a level that is distinguishable whilst the engine room of Scott and Harris is tighter than a Yorkshireman at the bar.
The more you listen to “To Dust” the more you appreciate the driving bass that Scott administers throughout. Diving deep into the body, sending shock waves rippling through the listener with the guttural vocals corrupting the vital organs, sending them into a state of paralysis. There are time changes a plenty, sitting comfortably with more straightforward assaults that ripple through the brain with relentless energy. Even ‘The Whisper’, which one might think would bring a calmer conclusion to the album denies you that, instead bringing a final onslaught that spares nothing.
With most tracks coming in between three and four minutes, there is ample opportunity to get stuck in. Check out the ferocity of ‘Swarm’, with its pulsing vitality, punishing riffing and overall face melting approach. ‘Honest Human Emotion’ throws forward some of the best soloing on the album, the twin guitars blisteringly good in harmony as they race across the pummelling below.
Solstice are one of the most influential bands in the Floridian Death Metal scene and ‘To Dust’ sits amongst the classics. If you’ve never heard this, then just ensure you are sitting securely, for once play is pressed, you’ll be in for hell of a ride.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Black
02. To Dust
03. Honest Human Emotion
04. Sovereignty
05. Swarm
06. Moment of Clarity
07. Passionless
08. Extremes
09. Impressive Technology
10. The Whisper
LINE-UP:
Christian Rudes – Vocals, Guitar
Dennis Munoz – Guitar
Garret Scott – Bass
Brian Harris – Drums
LINKS:
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