Let there be no doubt, Solitude Aeturnus hasn’t got the most successful career so far. The band was formed in 1987. Many personal problems within the band, problems with labels and such, made it impossible for the band to make a successful career. From 1987 to 1998 they only released five albums. After 1998 the band members all went their own way, some successful and some not. It wasn’t until now that they came together again, to create a new album: Alone.

 

The music can best be described as slow and heavy, epic doom metal. Providing dark melodies, as well as strong dynamic rhythms they have managed to put together another typical Solitude Aeturnus album, which some fans and sceptics doubted due to the long hiatus. Within the doom metal genre Candlemass has always been considered as one of the leading bands, being followed very closely by Solitude Aeturnus. And although they may never become bigger and better than Candlemass, with this album they come, once again, pretty close. The dark atmospheres fit the lyrics perfectly. While singing about sorrow, pain, agony and solitude, singer Robert Lowe gives a nice addition to his vocals with some sublime use of dynamics. The rhythmical dark guitar chords, played by John Perez and Steve Mossely, and the slow, powerful drums, Steve Nichols, make sure everything sounds tight and clear. Eventually, the melodical guitar solos give the finishing touch to Alone.

 

Who ever would have thought Solitude Aeturnus were going to fade away silently… you’re wrong! They are back and the only thing that probably is on their mind now, is to continue their new path with success, and forget the last difficult years.

 

I think it’s reasonable to conclude that doom metal fans can be happy because they have some new music to please their ears with. But I must admit it, I don’t think that this is something that will be loved by non-doom metal fans. I think it’s just one of the genres you like or you don’t. So if you like Candlemass, earlier Solitude Aeturnus or other doom metal ands, definitely give this one a try!