ALBUM REVIEW: Spectral Devastation – Sölicitör

The influx of old school thrash metal is so constant today you could release a new Speed Kills style compilation monthly without the well ever running dry. Newcomers on the leather and spike clad battlefield, SÖLICITÖR have come soaring out of the booming North American heavy metal revival with their debut Spectral Devastation. It’s a slab of unfiltered speed which instantly makes them standouts within the infinite sea of throwback metal.

Spectral Devastation kicks off in true speed metal fashion with a lightning attack of dual guitars and singer Amy Lee Carlson’s high-end screech. The verses come in full throttle with vocal flares and high notes every other beat. Carlson steps up and commands attention at the forefront of the record, from casually showing off her register to commanding chants and gang vocals which vividly conjure images of a sweaty metal club joining in.

Considering the band were under pressure to get the recording done fast due to touring obligations and at one point being snowed out of the studio, the record’s sound works very well for the high-octane energy they’re trying to capture. Riffs and solos come hard and fast never out-stay their welcome. The production is sharp and just gritty enough to give you the 80s vibes but not so lo-fi you can’t hear anything, which is essential to appreciate Matthew Vogan and Patrick Fry’s endlessly enjoyable guitar harmonies. The pair show off a range of influences from some very NWOBHM fast-paced style stuff on tracks like Leathür Streets and Betrayer to more heavy and thrash/ death focused tracks like Grip Of The Fist and Spectres Of War.

The whole album is a tour of great influences bridged with impressive acoustic performances which do help pace the album nicely without feeling tokenistic. With the production in mind, the one gripe with Spectral Devastation would be that the rhythm section never really gets a chance to shine. Whilst drummer Johann Waymire lays down some great fills and works his way around a varied kit, especially on Night Vision, he and bassist Damon Cleary-Erickson do feel a tad drowned out as a result to the production style. That said they’re miles away from bad performances, but they just take a few listens to pick up on.

Nothing on this debut reinvents the ever-turning wheel of speed metal, the slanted logo and umlauts should have told you that SÖLICITÖR are still firmly rooted to the origins of speed and thrash. But what is on Spectral Devastation is ludicrously fun metal played with a passion for its heritage and a want to bring some new great songs to the table.

Rating: 7/10

Spectral Devastation is set for release April 24th via Gates of Hell Records. 

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