Apologies to the Solitary Boys, this has been sat in my inbox for way too long….. but better late than never as Mat Price checks out the latest release from the UK Thrash Veterans…

The Preston pugilists come out swinging with round five.

As you may (or not) be aware, I’ve recently enjoyed an interview with Solitary’s frontman Rich for the UKThrashers Youtube channel. Then, put a stick in the spokes by asking a dumb question during one of their live Q&As, which was, thankfully, taken in good humour and faith.

It would seem only fair that I should put on my grown up trousers, and treat this album with a level of respect. Reviews for Embrace The Darkness may well have been published before this one, but I wanted to wait until I got my CD copy at their gig at the Cart and Horses in London first. Thus ensuring the full ten tracks are ingested.

(I should mention that the vinyl version replaces their cover of The Exploited’s Beat The Bastards with an original track, Divided and Demented.)

 I won’t waste any more time. It’s the album we’re here for. We start with the intro track, IXII-XII-MMXX. Needless to say, they’ve added a sense of poignant realism that separates it from the usual intros. I’m not usually one for album intros. But this is the best I’ve heard since Irish electro punk project Meryl Streek’s, 796 album opener, The Start, which feeds into the song, Fall Of Grace, Perfectly.

Like that, Solitary’s first track proper (and the title track), follows the intro full of intent. This is the foundation on which the album sits and its footing is sure. The song is almost melodic death metal in its execution, it is bold and anthemic, striding from the speakers with its mission made clear. It strengthens their innate ability to pen introspective lyrics that have reflective, instead of shock, value.

The real shock, though, is Rich’s vocals at the start. They are guttural and give a real ‘whoa’ moment before he settles into his trademark style. Also, the pads and strings on this song adds a layer of depth that allows Solitary to show how broad they are willing to go to emote some gravitas. I’m also pretty sure they appear very subtly on other tracks, but that may be just me…

Settle Scores The Old Way opens with a cracking lead guitar legato that directs us toward a breathless thrash anger anthem, while Virtues is the closest thing to a breather that this album will have, with its mid tempo stomp. Although, it does not let up on heaviness at all.

I could carry on with a track by track analysis, but that would deprive a listener of the experience that Solitary has curated. I will say that you get a lot to take in in just over half An hour run time.

It is an album that does not let up at all. The anger and aggression is palpable, and the songs are tight, concise and engaging. Each song stands alone, yet they fit and complement the overall listen. Production wise, the album is top notch.

The more traditional method of drum recording has paid dividends. There is an urgency beaten into the songs via Royston’s kit that stands out, while Garath keeps everything solidly planted with his bass work. More so on this album, it matches his energetic stage presence to a tee. Andy’s Lead guitar is a pure masterclass of thrash metal virtuosity. Although the solo work is outstanding, he just cannot stop there. Throughout the album, he is adding depth and nuance to Rich’s surgically precise rhythm parts throughout.

With so many stars shining so brightly on the album, it’s hard to pinpoint the brightest, but the lyrics always ensure the course is set and true. Blunt and to the point, with the topics and stories being told fluidly. By the time the final song, a total beast of a cover of The Exploited’s Beat The Bastards finishes, You are left as breathless as attending a gig.

 (Speaking of which. It would be remiss of me to not complete a trilogy of articles by providing a live review. Keep an eye on UKThrashers for that one, if you would be so kind.)

Anyway…

Overall, this is a serious thrash album, with elements of The Haunted and Testament entwined within their own style and vibe. Solitary have never been ones to do the thrash tropes of beer, pizza, or movies, theirs is music above that sort of thing, but I cannot stop having fun listening to the tunes offered. Embrace The Darkness is the sound of a band who know exactly where they stand and what to do, working with a producer who knows exactly what to get from them.

Solitary ‘Embrace The Darkness’ is out now in all the normal places!!