No matter how cool your band name is, umlauts will make it ten times cooler. Could you imagine Blue Öyster Cult, Mötley Crüe, and Motörhead without them? There’s a lot to be said about those two little dots. They evoke a sense of danger synonymous with metal. Even words that are lame become cool, like solicitor. This is a word I’ve forever associated with zealous bible thumpers, kids selling expired candy for their basketball teams, and other various scam artists who just can’t keep away from my door. Well one blast of Sölicitör’s debut album, Spectral Devastation, is bound to scare off those bastards for good.
Sölicitör features former Substratum members, singer Amy Lee Carlson and guitarist Matt Vogan. I enjoyed Substratum during their brief five year existence. They put out some solid 80s throwback metal, but there was something missing. They lacked that fire which would’ve escalated their status to the upper echelon of the NWOTHM. In their defense, it’s rare for a band to be born with that extra “mmph”. Most bands never find it. The lucky ones reach it years down the line. From the first minute of Spectral Devastation, I couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear. Amy and the boys have finally found “it”!
The album opens with the relentless “Blood Revelations”. This is 5 minutes of old school metal thrashing madness. Amy spits venom with each lyric, striding the line between shouting and singing. Her violent delivery can best be compared to that of Hirax’s Katon W. de Pena and Artillery’s Flemming Rönsdorf. She’s backed by the double barrel shotgun drumming of Johann Waymire, rumbling bass of Damon Cleary-Erickson, and dynamic duo of axe men Patrick Fry and the previously mentioned Vogan. Together, they’re a rough and ready street metal gang: Ready to take on wimps and posers with brute force and maximum velocity.
As Spectral Devastation goes on, we learn that there’s more to this Seattle speed squad than being badass. On “Betrayer”, Sölicitör trades in their denim and leather threads for medieval armor and swords. This song, as well as “The Red Queen” and “Night Vision”, fully captures the glory of the 80s US power metal scene. The hellish shrieks of “Blood Revelations” have now turned into dramatic battle cries, reminiscent of the late Warrel Dane on Sanctuary classics such as “Die for My Sins”. Amy is one of the most talented and dynamic singers/frontwomen in the scene today.
While “Leathür Streets” revisits the fighting spirit of “Blood Revelations”, the remainder of the album channels the classic power/speed formula made famous by Jag Panzer and Liege Lord. I also can’t help but notice the big echoey production. This was a wise choice. This classic sound is associated with some of the greatest metal albums of all time (Defenders of the Faith and Creatures of the Night anyone?). It helped boost fellow NWOTHM stalwarts, Traveler, and does the same for Sölicitör.
After slaying the head of their enemies, Sölicitör rewards us with one last blast in “Grip of the Fist”. This track closes the album in the same bloodthirsty spirit it began. It even features blastbeats and a mosh riff breakdown to boot! If you haven’t snapped your neck by now, it’s not Sölicitör with the problem. It’s you.
In what’s already been a massive year for traditional metal bands, old and new, Spectral Devastation is bound to standout as one of the year’s best albums. Remember earlier when I mentioned that “mmph”? If KISS can “Uh!” all night, and Celtic Frost can “Ough!” all night, then Sölicitör can “Mmph!” all night…or day…or whenever they please. The latter is probably the best option. I wouldn’t want to mess with these metallic rogues.
8 out of 10
Label: Gates of Hell Records
Genre: Power/Speed Metal
For fans of: Sanctuary, Détente, Hellion