SOLSTICE -

SOLSTICE - HALCYON - GODHEAD
It was two years ago that I read an interview with Solstice in an English commercial magazine. Several months later Jochen of Germany's Mirror Of Deception sent me the band's debut CD. I remember noting that while the vocals were weak, the music resonated the sounds of true epic doom in my ears. Halcyon, the band's new 12" evokes similar feelings. While the music is medieval, grand and closely follows the masters of the genre (i.e. Candlemass), the vocals do not attain similar heights. They are however better than the first album and that is why I prefer this release to the first. Regardless, seeing that Solitude Aeturnus and Cathedral have nearly abandoned doom, Halcyon (featuring a guest appearance by Byron of Bal Sagoth and a cover of Manowar's Gloves Of Metal) might be the epic doom metallers’ best bet. Also keep an eye out for Solstice's new full-length The Dark Age coming this year and featuring a new singer. - Ali "The Metallian"