ALBUM REVIEW: Solace – Venues
Things have changed a hell of a lot for VENUES since the release of their debut Aspire with the addition of a new guitarist and vocalist. With the worst of times behind them, their second record Solace looks to be a step up from their first effort.
Razorblade Teeth is a fantastic opener to display everyone’s talents. It’s the most encompassing track to demonstrate what’s to come, a nice synth inflection here and there, bouncing choruses and a great sense of dynamics between the bridge and the breakdown. The big, booming growling vocals feel thick and heavy from Robin Baumann, while the clean vocals aren’t hidden and slowly introduced, they carry loud and proud. It’s clear from the off that the new additions are a massive success, with Lela Gruber carrying a huge vocal range like it’s nothing, and new guitarist Valentin Hahnemann blistering through as if he’s always been a part of the band. Founding members Dennis and Constantin maintain an excellent basis for all the new members to get in line with, with respectively technical rhythms and tight string work as always.
There’s definitely been a shift towards a more metal style with some influences from bands like PARKWAY DRIVE sounding clearer than ever on this record. It’s great to hear a dedicated direction VENUES want to head towards, with some notable moments that nod to what might be in store in future. Whydah Gally is possibly the stand out moment of the record, bringing in some massive symphonic elements to the overall riffs and a great dynamic in it’s harsh vocals that really pushes things to the next level. Its hardcore moments do feel the most bold and confident as well, and the chorus is a real ear worm.
You can still catch a sense for some of the more pop-inspired ideas from their last record. Catchy tunes like Rite Of Passage and Into The Fire allow for a more glossy, well produced sheen of their work to show through. There’s a great amount of definitive crowd-pleasing moments; dual guitars, sweet screaming solos and a great balance between clean and growled vocals. Plus, there are plenty of melodic call backs to catch your ear, without losing the edge that the band are trying to push towards. There are some big moments that those not so inclined towards metal could appreciate- some real smooth musicianship, swinging guitars and soaring cleans to really balance those classically brutal vocals.
Uncaged Birds is good fun, feeling youthfully defiant and displaying with some passionate guitar work ringing over the heartfelt vocals. The song writing overall feels very sentimental or personal, with songs like Our Destiny also a very positive message and a brightly, aggressive instrumentation is a real pump up for your own sense of worth.
It’s really great to see a band come back from the brink and to try their hand at new things as they find themselves. However, while the main bulk of tunes working really well. Down Below has an almost LAMB OF GOD edge to the instrumentation in the versus, while seamlessly becoming a little more symphonic through the chorus. All this fits together pretty well, but a goes a little left field with a short rapped section in its final moments. It’s an inclusion that nu-metal fans might appreciate, but does come a little out of nowhere and doesn’t necessarily sit with the rest of the sounds in this record.
Other elements that do work however, are Shifting Colors and Deceptive Faces that hold a strong synth element akin to CROSSFAITH or some BRING ME THE HORIZON. That’s not to say that Solace ever pushes to full-on metalcore stance, but rather dips in and out of these elements to elevate the sounds they adopt from other genres like post-hardcore, groove metal, and classic heavy metal. Generally on this album, there is the right amount of technical, as well as interesting vocal arrangements and chugging riffs that beef everything up that balances everything they’re playing around with.
Mountains is a pretty progressive feeling song to end Solace with. Wailing guitars throughout soar about the growls and harmonise with the clean chorus. The blistering bridge is pretty insane, and a real highlight in what super tight rhythm and passionate musicianship can create.
Solace is definitely a step up for VENUES from their debut, with the overall tone feeling heavier, the choruses are catchier, the confidence in their work evidently stronger than ever. They’re not afraid to have fun and play around with that they want to be, and haven’t lost their passion. In fact, they’ve found a new, fresh approach that will please old fans and bring in the new.
Rating: 7/10
Solace is out now via Arising Empire.
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