Here’s a pleasant surprise in the middle of summer. I’m always happy to… stumble upon bands that have already made a name for themselves but, for some reason, our paths haven’t crossed until now.
Solarus is one such band. Hailing from Canada and formed in 2015, they’re releasing their fourth album this year, titled “Of Sin And Ruin.” It’s an independent release.
Musically, I’d say they straddle the line between symphonic, power, and djent. They’re led by Sarah Dee’s exceptional vocals, and the material is generally quite heavy, though mid-tempo in terms of speed. The compositions are well-crafted, with choruses that stick in your head easily. A lot of work has gone into this aspect. I also liked that certain ideas are recycled. This doesn’t make the material tedious; on the contrary, I’d say it gives the music an interesting flow.
The album closes with the title track, which—despite being quite lengthy (we’re talking about a 15-minute track)—shows just how well the band has honed its sound.
The only downside for me is the production—or rather, the mix—which puts the guitars way too far forward. I could live with a softer sound on the guitars, and I’d also like to be able to hear more of what’s going on with the keyboards.
“Of Sin And Ruin” is a very good album in its genre. I’ll definitely be checking out the band’s discography, since I believe I’ve stumbled upon a little gem.
Michael Ntalakos
