It
has been a 16 years period of silence and suddenly there is an EP of legendary
doom band Solstice. Candlemass, Trouble and Solitude Aeturnus are always
mentioned when they talk about the founders of the doom genre, but this Solstice
should be added to the list also.
With only 4 songs of which 2 are instrumentals, we are not really spoiled, but
fortunately the 2 tracks with vocals are over 9 minutes long. New singer Paul
Kearn has an epic and very powerful sounding voice. The instrumental opener has
some Maiden influences after which the song "I Am the Hunter" shows the style we
know from the past. Epic sounding doom, with great riffs. I would describe their
music as a 50/50 mix of Trouble and Candlemass doom and a NWOBHM sauce.
Fans of their early work, will be pleased with this EP. The only thing you have to
live with is that the full length album will take some time, meanwhile you have
to get by with this EP.