Always happy to check out more melodic death metal, Solemn Vision represents an act that hits closer to home for this scribe. This particular act coming from Brooklyn, NY, it’s one of those cases nowadays where if you were given no information about an act and you heard a few snippets of them, you’d certainly name them as a European act – in this case you might go as far to call them a Swedish act with their ability to blend brutality and melody. Thankfully though, they are far from being a case of merely trying to emulate what works in that particular field – something that their sophomore effort, Despite the Rise of the Sun, greatly benefits from.
The specific branding of melodeath that Solemn Vision takes some clear influence from is that of the early Gothenburg days. Don’t expect something more modern and metalcore-y here. There’s a pedigree of melody that stems the merger of death metal and some occasional blackened elements as the band frequently blasts their way through a track. “Avarice” floats effectively in the mid-tempo range for much of it’s runtime, capitalizing on that speed to employ some epic-sounding melodies but also not shying away from some blast-driven speed runs and dips into some acoustic moments. But at the same time, don’t think the band isn’t capable of more. Some tracks swerve more in the progressive direction, such as the almost-waltzing, gentle moments of “On the Eve of Silence,” offering some playful and catchy currents to grapple to in the wake of some heavier, frantic ones. It should also be said that the band isn’t artificially bloating their song times. Despite much of the album hitting the 6-7 minute mark, it never feels like they are directionless or just trying to make the song last longer to ‘gain epicness.’ Instead these more progressive moments flow organically into more guns-blazing melodic death sections of fury. The leadwork can be detailed and take up some space, such as on “Bane and Benumbed,” but it’s so satisfying and well adapted to the track that it feels integral rather than being an add-on.
The fluidity of the progressive moments and raging old school melodeath aggression makes Despite the Rise of the Sun a solid album from start to finish. From the gorgeous melodies to the breakneck tempos, there’s nary a moment that the band doesn’t use entirely to their advantage. Solemn Vision have learned from the strongest of their elders, but still manage to make it sound more invigorated and fresh than a mere copycat. Very much worth checking out if you favor the older, more majestic style of melodic death metal that many disregard in favor of more modern trappings.