EP REVIEW: XXV – Solitary

With the sheer deluge of bands arriving on the scene with each passing year it is difficult to ensure you don’t become an afterthought. UK thrash metal heroes SOLITARY have achieved the admirable feat of 25 years as a band and are still as hungry as ever to stake their claim in the thrash metal genre. To mark this illustrious occasion the band have chosen to re-record some of their tracks throughout their career in the form of the appropriately titled XXV which is available now via Doc Records. Will this be the perfect release to help cement their legacy?

Requiem exudes a more polished output than it’s predecessor whilst still maintaining the signature thrash grittiness, the guitars however do feel particularly overpowered by the rest of the instrumentation when the tempo begins to pick up causing some of the intricacies to be lost. The vocals are injected with a raspy melody that didn’t exist previously which adds an extra edginess to the track. The unmistakable thundering bass lines of Within Temptation instantly make their presence felt as jabbing hooks wash over the track. The enticing, groove ridden tempo still holds it’s own after almost 20 years. Sadly Keep Your Enemies Closer feels quite blunt in comparison to the original, the piercing drumming doesn’t have the same impact and kind of blends into the background after playing quite a focal point initially. Impressive solo work runs riot and dispels the early disappointment. As the track progresses the guitars possess a hefty bite allowing for the perfect accompaniment to the frantic sweeping.

Alongside the revisited tracks from yesteryear SOLITARY have also included a couple of live tracks in the form of Architects Of Shame and The Diseased Heart Of Society which adeptly exhibit that their high energy and vocal power effortlessly translate to a live environment. Visions of circle pits swarm into your mind envisioning the ongoing chaos incited by the crowd. Both tracks are received with a rapturous response from all in attendance.

Breathing new life into tracks from deep within a bands history is a great opportunity for new fans to come across them on the various streaming platforms available for this generation. Unfortunately SOLITARY have missed the mark and have not bestowed themselves nearly enough justice with this trio of re-recordings. The mix feels quite flat and doesn’t allow the instruments their opportunity to shine as they combat each other for prominence. The live tracks however are a perfect example of what the band are capable of and will hopefully encourage listeners to delve back into their catalogue and find some material to revisit for many years to come.

Rating: 6/10

XXV is available now via Doc Records.

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