As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Asbury Park's Solace, it's time to delve into their latest offering, 'Fading Failing Ruin'. This fifth full-length album marks a significant milestone for the band, and I, for one, am curious to see how they've evolved and whether they can continue to captivate listeners with their unique brand of stoner metal.
The Evolution of Solace
Solace has certainly taken its time with this release, following up on 'The Brink' from 2019 with a seven-year gap. During this period, the band has undergone some changes, welcoming new members Justin Goins, Timmy Gitlan, and Mike Sica, while guitarists Tommy Southard and Justin Daniels remain the consistent threads.
What stands out to me is Solace's ability to carve out a distinct identity within the stoner metal genre. They've managed to avoid the pitfalls of overdrawn subject matter and generic fuzz tones, which often plague this style of music. Instead, they've infused their sound with a southern charm reminiscent of Corrosion of Conformity, adding a folksy swagger that feels authentic and expressive.
Musical Exploration
'Fading Failing Ruin' takes listeners on a journey through apocalyptic and infernal themes, using ponderous riffs and lengthy tracks to create a hypnotic, southern-fried stoner doom experience. The album opens with 'Spiral Will', a track that showcases Solace's doleful guitar duo and their mastery of slow-burn song structures. The anthemic verses and catchy chorus of this song had me hooked from the start.
'Beyond Below' and 'Malengine the Scaffold' continue in a similar vein, building tension with fuzz-soaked guitars before unleashing slick variations and solos. These tracks demonstrate Solace's ability to create a sense of anticipation and release, keeping the listener engaged throughout.
The shorter tracks, like 'A God Changes His Plans' and 'Culling the Herd', allow Solace to showcase their versatility. These songs have a more upbeat tempo and emphasize the guitar theatrics of Southard and Daniels, who really shine in these moments. Goins' vocals, which draw comparisons to Ed Kowalczyk of Live and Pepper Keenan, add a unique flavor to the band's sound, especially as they focus on controlled pacing.
A Note on Length
One aspect that I found somewhat problematic is the album's length. At 67 minutes, 'Fading Failing Ruin' feels a bit bloated, especially with the 15-minute track 'Wraths Object the Big Fall'. This song, in particular, suffers from a lengthy build-up that fails to justify the time spent. I found myself fast-forwarding through this section on multiple listens, which is a shame as the rest of the song is quite solid.
Final Thoughts
Despite this minor critique, 'Fading Failing Ruin' is an engaging listen for the most part. Solace has proven that they still have plenty to offer after three decades in the game. While the issue of length may deter some listeners, I believe this album is worth a spin, especially for fans of the genre and those who appreciate well-crafted riffs and impassioned clean singing.
In my opinion, Solace has delivered an album that showcases their musical growth and ability to create distinctive, captivating songs. So, if you're looking for some solace in a world that feels like a fading, failing ruin, give this album a listen and let the music transport you to a place of hypnotic grooves and soulful expression.
