Solstitium
NEW ALBUM:
"MORGOTH"
From northeastern France comes a new band, born from one man's idea but brought to life through the collective effort of experienced musicians. SOLSTITIUM play a riveting mix of '90s death/doom and epic heavy metal, with each song standing out thanks to varying proportions of each style, a wide range of tempos, moods and arrangements. Terms like "epic" and "crushing" get thrown around a lot, but here, it's difficult to find more fitting ones. Only "bone-grinding" might be more accurate for their riffs and sound as their debut album is the musical equivalent of a steamroller. The sound is so thick, you could cut through it with a knife. Yet, thanks to excellent recording and production, every instrument breathes and shines. The vocals are equally impressive, offering both deep, beasty growls, sinister-sounding harsh parts and imposing clean singing. The lyrics, steeped in the worlds of Robert E. Howard and Tolkien, bring heroes, mighty rulers and warriors from ages past back to life. Imagine an unexpected encounter between old PARADISE LOST, BOLT THROWER, CELTIC FROST and GRAND MAGUS on a battlefield, while Basil Poledouris' music resounds through the plains! And we're sure you can spot also RUNEMAGICK, IRONSWORD, old MY DYING BRIDE, NECROS CHRISTOS, epic era BATHORY and DOOMSWORD on the flanks. Sounds intriguing? It sure is!
RELEASE DATE:
July 2024
BIOGRAPHY:
For a long time, the accomplished graphic novelist and illustrator Sébastien Grenier (ATHABAS) from northeastern France - a true disciple of Simon Bisley (Slaine) and Frank Frazetta, here taking care of guitars and songwriting - has been wanting to write and record an album that would encapsulate everything he enjoys in the eighties and nineties metal: a mix between doom, death and epic heavy metal. He began to gather some material that felt more personal and closer to the music styles he loves the most. His initial plan was to record all the music himself and to hire a singer afterwards, but everything changed when he met François (singer in ABDUCTION, ANGELLORE and IMPENDING TRIUMPH). An album slowly but surely started taking shape. When Silvère, bass player of ATHABAS (and COROSTELER and DEFRAKTOR) heard the demos, he immediately wanted in and joined the duet. He then pitched the project to his drummer in DEFRAKTOR, Lethal (who played live with Tom G. Warrior in TRIUMPH OF DEATH and currently is a member of SACRIFIZER, CARNE and DIONYSIAQUE, among others), and convinced him to join the band. And finally, Lethal enrolled his bandmate in AU-DELA, Franck (guitars), to complete the line-up. In only a few weeks, SOLSTITIUM made the switch from humble one man-project to proper band, exclusively composed of skilled and experienced musicians, willing to take it to the next level.
After a few months of intensive rehearsals, the band was ready to record their first album, "Morgoth". They decided to work with the Belgian producer Déhà (WOLVENNEST, DROPDEAD CHAOS, MALADIE and tens of other bands).
When the band submitted their album to Metal on Metal Records, they quickly received an enthusiastic reply and a deal was stuck for the release in late July. The band offers a very personal take on epic metal. Picture a jam session between GRAND MAGUS, CELTIC FROST and BOLT THROWER with early '90s PARADISE LOST for good measure, and it will give you an idea of what SOLSTITIUM is about. They also provide the perfect soundtrack to "what's best in life" according to Conan the Barbarian himself: "to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentations of their women"! SOLSTITIUM is a relentless force moving your way. You've been warned!
GENRE:
Epic Heavy/Doom/Death Metal
ORIGIN:
France (Beltfort), 2022
CURRENT LINE-UP:
François (vocals)
Sébastien (guitars)
Franck (guitars)
Silvère (bass)
Lethal (drums)
DISCOGRAPHY:
• "Morgoth" (2024)
Full-length, Metal On Metal Records