ALBUM REVIEW: Solar Flare – Shell Beach

Hungarian progressive post-hardcore band SHELL BEACH have been admirably building their stock profile, acquiring various festival slots as well as supporting ENTER SHIKARI. They are hoping to harness this experience and pour it into the freshly released Solar Flare which is now available via Wild Thing Records. Will this effort help them take that next step?

Dismembering Games hits you with a powerful scream to welcome you to the party. The variation between crunchy heaviness and uplifting melody gets this release off to a promising start. Absolution possesses a floaty, graceful presence akin to the stylings of DEFTONES. The technical intricacies begin to shine through with the accompanying guitar work. Sit back, relax and let the captivating smoothness of Hero wash over you. When the more aggressive elements come to the forefront they provide a sharp contrast.

Love Craft – House Of Death picks up the pace with a sturdy, confident stride. Bursts of fret gymnastics will be sure to grab your attention. Interlude is exactly what it says on the tin, a chilled moment of contemplation that opens the door for the punchy vibrancy of Feeble Glory. Additional rounds of flamboyant riffing are impressively executed. Hooks aplenty and an alluring chorus section, what’s not to like?

Miracle Misdemeanor brings an enticing tempo to the table. Snappy drum beats and a vocal performance crammed with emotion take centre stage. Black Hole’s My Horizon opts for a more cinematic soundscape. The subtle tones flow seamlessly to provide an element of gentle escapism. In comparison, the mood of Hydra isn’t quite so bright and cheery. Dealing with sentiments of inner struggles and turmoil to provide more poignant subject matter.

My Devil And More has plenty of twists and turns in store to keep you guessing; bouncy melodies with a dosage of heavy flourishes. Agitation Divine feels like experiencing deja-vu, like you’ve already passed that black cat once before. It idly passes by, not necessarily adding anything fresh or inventive. Olyan Szépek Voltunk doesn’t dispel any of the previous disillusionment as SHELL BEACH decide to close proceedings with a cover of Hungarian artist and late father of vocalist Pal Somlo, Tamás Somló. Whilst it is a fitting tribute, it may come off to some as a little self-indulgent and may have been more appropriate as a solo release.

Solar Flare shows a lot of promise but there is a distinct disconnect between its components. It doesn’t feel like a cohesive body of work and somewhere along the journey, it loses its spark. It is riddled with indecision, like SHELL BEACH are casting their net across too many genres without finding a way to unify them. Such as shame as the talent is evident but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

Rating: 6/10

Solar Flare is out now via Wild Thing Records.

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