Solitude Aeturnus
Beyond the Crimson Horizon (CD) 1992 Roadrunner
Solitude Aeturnus have become a true cult band by now and one of the biggest names when it comes to modernday tradional Doom. They are one of the guardians of traditional doom-metal in a time dominated by death/doom bands. They are highly underestimated by most modern death/doom fans and if you are one of those I can't urge you enough to check this band out and especially this album. 'Beyond the Crimson Horizon' is one of the best albums Solitude Aeturnus released. Grinding guitar riffs, extremely solid rhythm section and Robert Lowe's absolutely stunning (clean) vocals. It is uncompromising heavy, yet melodic at the same time. This is truly doomy ear candy! While perhaps for modern standards not that heavy anymore, I would still like to classify this as one hell of a heavy album. Superb! Praise! Bravo!	1. Seeds Of The Desolate 2. Black Castle 3. The Final Sin 4. It Came Upon One Night 5. The Hourglass 6. Beneath The Fading Sun 7. Plague Of Procreation 8. Beyond... Approx. 43 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Adagio (CD) 1998 Massacre
"Look what your god has done to me", the first lyrics from the song 'My Endtime' best describe the general feeling of this album. Solitude Aeturnus is perhaps the most underestimated Doom band that is still around to this day by newer fans. With R. Lowe's unique clean vocals and their more 80ties oriented sound (production wise it's fully up to modern-day standards!) they have been largely ignored by most new doom fans. And if there is one thing this album proves it is how unjust that is! This because'Adagio' in my eyes is close to being a masterpiece. Of course one does need to enjoy this style of traditional doom, but I can hardly think of a better album to get started. The music sounds powerful with its heavy old-school riffs and together with R. Lowe's vocals and great lyrics create a tight sounding album. Track titles like 'Days of Prayer', 'Believe' and 'Personal God' hint at how important the topic of religion is in the lyrics; most of the songs seem to deal with a loss of faith. The cover of Black Sabbath's 'Heaven and Hell' also fits well in with the rest of the album. It's just a shame that so many new doom fans have passed this great band and album up. If you are one of those people I urge you to at least check this album out in your local record store. "Living in a pretend world of happiness. My painted face melts as I recede into my own reality - into my hole".	1. My Endtime 2. Days Of Prayer 3. Believe 4. Never 5. Idis 6. Personal God 7. Mental Pictures 8. Insanity's Circles 9. The Fall 10. Lament 11. Empty Faith 12. Spiral Descent 13. Heaven And Hell Approx. 63 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Alone (CD) 2006 Massacre
This is the new studio album of the Texas Doom Metallers Solitude Aeturnus. Their last studio album entitled 'Adagio' was released eight years ago and since then they were in total silence. It is a fact that many things have changed during all this time, in that the band had gone through some really difficult times. But, they have managed to remain alive and kicking and have finally offered to us their long waited sixth album. Nine new tracks are included on the new album plus a bonus track in its limited digipack edition. So let's make a reference to each song: 'Scent of Death' is the first track of the record and it is simply a Doom Metal anthem, one of the most epic, dark and mysterious compositions that the band has ever written. This song is simply the ideal choice to be the album’s opening track. The trademarks of the song are of course the crystal clear vocals of Robert Lowe and the great twin guitar job of both John Perez and Steve Mosley: nothing more and nothing less than magnificent and dark main riffs and leads based in eastern musical forms. Mentioning the vocals of Robert Lowe, I have to point out that they sound in perfect condition and form, much better comparing with the vocals of ’Adagio’ back in 1998. ‘Waiting for the Light’ is not that slow (compared to the previous anthem), it is in mid tempo featuring for one more time, some magnificent riffs and lead themes. The dramatic epilogue of the song is of course its stronger element. Robert Lowe’s vocals are drawing black soundscapes, creating a dramatic epilogue as the song gets slower and slower… If someone had caught the band on stage in their recent shows in Europe, where they played three songs from the new album, or have downloaded the demo version of ‘Waiting for the Light’ that was available for some time online, then ‘Blessed Be the Dead’ is actually the first “new” Solitude Aeturnus song to hear: a gloomy track, covered by a strange melodic mist. You would get into the background of the song even from the very first tune. The lead guitar themes and once again the vocals are the strongest elements in here. ‘Sightless’ is the faster song of the album. Built in an almost Power Metal basis, this song is the ideal choice for someone that is not aware of those Texas Doom Metal Gods’ music. It is almost sure that if the DJ of your favourite metal club decides to play a track from ’Alone’, this track would be ‘Sightless’. An ideal song for live shows as well (‘Scent of Death’, ‘Waiting for the Light’, and ‘Sightless’ were the three songs the band have performed live in their recent European shows in April 2006 - long before the album was even recorded and released). Back to the song description, it is catchy and memorable, featuring a heavy as hell rhythm section – the same goes for all the songs of the album, but the rhythm parts of ‘Sightless’ are really strong. Mr. Lowe sounds even more obscure and angry in here…great tune for sure. ‘Upon Within’ follows, and our journey to the strange, dark world of the new Solitude Aeturnus album goes on, deeper and deeper into the sorrowful vortex of Doom Metal; we are slowly ‘Burning’ and we like it. Yes ‘Burning’ is the title of the next song based on a strange, obscure and heavy background of black melodies; for sure songs like this are difficult to describe using typical words. Even the order of the songs on the album has a specific meaning; they have been put in a certain order to give the listener the feeling of a unique journey with its strong and calmer moments. Yes, this journey still goes on, and as I was hearing the next song entitled ‘Is There’, I got the feeling that the listener is driven slowly into a musical crescendo… Well, I was right… ‘Tomorrows Dead’ would drive the listener to a total catharsis. The mourn of the damned that begs for a little more piece of life is trapped in the haunted melodies of this anthem. Just listen to the way that Robert Lowe SINGS in here and you would understand what I mean. ‘Essence of Black’ is the ideal epilogue of this record, slow and painful melodies are driving the listener to the end of this journey, in a strange gloomy way. The limited digipack edition of the album includes a bonus track entitled ‘Embraced’: a 10 minute long Doom Metal song with a little old fashioned touch in it and an obscure felling in the vocals. A word must be written about the great front cover and the artwork of the album that fits perfectly with the general mood of the music. A masterpiece: that is the new Solitude Aeturnus album. The vocals of Robert Lowe, the guitars of John Perez and Steve Mosley, the rhythm section of James Martin (bass) and Steve Nichols (drums), everything is a strong piece for a perfect Doom Metal puzzle, the puzzle of ’Alone’. This album is the strongest proof that mournful Epic Doom Metal is still alive and has great pieces of art to offer. Mentioning the production of the album I must point out that ’Alone’ is very well produced and it is for sure the best Solitude Aeturnus album as far as sound quality and production. As far as the music, which is of course the most important thing in here, I would simply put this record next to the other classic releases of the band. In my opinion, ’Alone’ is one of the stronger and most inspired Metal albums released so far during the 00s. It is the mournful anthem of all those who carry the flame of Doom Metal inside their souls. It is the black sun of our eternal midnight. Just listen to this album and you would understand my point….	01. Scent of Death 02. Waiting for the Light 03. Blessed Be the Dead 04. Sightless 05. Upon Within 06. Burning 07. Is There 08. Tomorrows Dead 09. Essence of Black 10. Embraced (bonus track in digipack edition) Approx. 60 minutes (standard)/71 minutes (digipac).
Reviewed by: CountRaven