review by Dee: Solus

Our friend Dee offers her opinion about this Hungarian entity named Solus. Below the review you will find links to more of Dee's writings on music.--MMB

Solus – Solus (Album Review)

Hungary’s Solus send strong, expressive and melancholic signals through a charming black metal/ambient channel. The project is led by an instrumentalist and vocalist who goes by D, and he’s capable of treating our ears to some tasteful melodies. Solus’ self-titled release hit the scene back in 2015, and there’s a lot to enjoy here.

The first track, “Visszatérés,” is like a slow descent into nothingness. Along the way, we meet dim shades of sorrow and despair. The backbone contains satisfying strumming and the pulse of the percussion. A few desperate lamentations give a voice to the melancholia.

“Világok közt vándorló” arrives next. We’re introduced to blast beats and more aggressive vocals, showing the varied tricks Solus has up its sleeve. Emotions are heavy on “Elfeledett utak,” and glorious tones float within the track’s scowling expression.

The beginning of “Az örök körforgás,” sneaks up on your ears with a little mystery and a touch of evil. That’s all right because that’s what we need at that point in this album. The rest of the track parades its low spirit, and it eventually ends up along the outskirts of the next song; you can tell from the start of “Path of Wisdom” that it’s simply delectable. Heavy guitar riffs fall down from a sorrowful place. There is something effective in the drumming, which keeps a steady beat throughout the majority of the song. “Lebegés” ends the album with an experimental mood, creating an abysmal plane. Its presence grows and swallows the listener.

“Solus” is a fine take on the black metal/ambient style. The tough, standoffish personality of black metal is present. At the same time, mists of tone and emotion seem to be longing to spark confrontation. I am infatuated with “Path of Wisdom” (a surefire remedy for life’s miserable moments), and I highly recommend it. Only five other tracks are found on “Solus,” but they leave a lingering impression. Trust something here will speak to the very core of you.

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