Solitude Aeturnus - Alone
Massacre

file under doom metal

Vera: One of the most prominent American doom metal bands, who gathered a lot of respect during the nineties with everywhere exulted outstanding records such as ‘Through The Darkest Hour’ (1994) and ‘Adagio’ (1998) suddenly appeared on the scene again this year. It started with a European tour in Greece, Germany and Italy in Spring 2006, meanwhile they persistently worked on this comeback CD and the band played at several festivals like Keep It True and Bang Your Head.

We are talking about Solitude Aeturnus, the traditional doom metal band from Texas who decided to take a sabbatical after their concerts supporting their latest album in my collection (‘Adagio’), so that the members could focus on their own projects. It took more than a year and it ended up being many years. Exit Solitude Aeturnus, so it seemed…

But “never say never” is an appropriate adage here. In the renewed doom collective one can find – fortunately – still founder, composer and guitarist John Perez. Vocalist Robert Lowe is still there too, that is why vocals on ‘Alone’ are familiar and clean, but not too high pitched. Steve Moseley has switched from bass to second lead guitar. New are bass player James Martin and drummer Steve Nichols who must be a lucky guy now that he has conquered a place in his favourite band (being a huge fan of the band for years).

What does Solitude Aeturnus sound like anno 2006? Familiar, but yet very organic. This was not always the case in the past with their slightly bombastic sound. Mark you, I still love all of their previous albums too, but this is just a magnificent doom metal album, recorded according to nowadays standards in metal and you can hear that. The transfer from the past to now has passed the test. And the new-written material is awesome, very awesome. Just take the nearly ten minutes long opener ‘Scent Of Death’. Ponderous doom riffs are present, powerful, clean vocals too, but it does breathe! It is solemn, but emotional as well. It is imperturbable, but almost psychedelic too by the oriental timbre in the brilliant lead parts of Perez. ‘Waiting For The Light’ is less epic, with fierce guitar skills. They do not get stuck in a narrow structure of monotonous riffs, for there are many influences of classical heavy metal in their songs. Just listen to the Iron Maiden alike intro of ‘Essence Of Black’, which is the nearest approach to a semi-ballad by its sensitive vocals and delicate guitar runs. We even hear some double bass drums in ‘Sightless’, this track is pure heavy metal. Or the screams of despair in ‘Blessed Be The Dead’… first-rate class. Doom isn’t accessible? What about the catchy chorus in ‘Tomorrows Dead’? In brief, the music of this band draws from the entire rock history.

You ask a few adjectives? Solemn, devoted, intense, gracious guitar skills, involved in the emotional things in life but no atrabilious lyrics without any hope, played in a staggering way without focusing on ability itself. You suggest to mention some bands that crossed my mind while listening? Forsaken (because of the positive energy bubbling up in me when I hear this), Candlemass (what they have reached with the fickle Messiah Marcolin, must be possible for SA as well), Dead Soul Tribe (thanks to the massive spirituality). You do not have to look for death metal vocals, this is traditional doom metal in the archetypical Black Sabbath tradition, created with heart and soul by experienced musicians. And fortunately they did not loose their ability to write marvellous songs. The holy fire still burns… welcome back Solitude Aeturnus!

Rating 94/100 (details)

http://www.eternalsolitude.com