Release
date: April
12th
2019.
Label: Cursed
Tongue Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Coiled
Light
– Tracklisting
1.The
Living Tide
2.Personal
Levee
3.Ground
the Fire
4.River
of Grass
5.Conduit
6.Coiled
Light
7.Nebulas
Members
John
Crouch
Nora
Rogers
Eddie
Sanchez
Review
They
say “Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder” and that can be said
for Solar Halos and their epic new album – Coiled Light. This is
the band’s first album in five years and one that will be released
by the cool folks over at Cursed Tongue Records. I’m a huge fan of
Solar Halos debut album
which was released back in
2014 and on sadly
missed record label Devouter Records. It ranked as one of my
favourite albums of that year.
Solar
Halos are a Psychedelic Doom Rock/Metal bands with elements of Heavy
Sludge and Stoner Rock woven into their heavy sound. The band are
influenced by a wide range of different bands across a different
spectrum of musical genres. However Solar Halos still have a heavy
and stylish Psychedelic edge of their own.
Opening
song – The Living Tide – soon springs to life with a heavy
pulsating psychedelic doomed out sound before Nora’s vocals appear
which add a slightly caustic approach and offers a reflective Doom
based vibe. The music moves comfortably at its own pace that soon
gives way to a heavier style of Sludge/Noise Rock progressive riffs.
The gloomy atmospherics show that Solar Halos are a different band
compared to their debut album. As the band are more direct with their
music.
Second
song – Personal Levee – offers a more personal song from the
band. As the lyrics are quite heartfelt and emotional in places.
However, the music is an atmospheric and gloomy experience with the
layers of Psychedelic and Spaced Out Doom Rock having a soulful
groove to them and having a complex rhythm to them. The song is one
of the standout tracks on the album and one that leaves you wanting
more.
Third
song - Ground The Fire – is one of the heaviest songs on the album
with Solar Halos playing a more Sludge/Doom Metal driven sound. The
song can be quite cold and distant in places but it shows how Solar
Halos have added more emotional depth to their music since their
debut album. Expect a nightmarish trip into the darker
side of Solar Halos.
Fourth
song - River Of Grass – opens with an ambient and drone based riff
that soon expands to a heavier gloomy psychedelic sound. The song is
perhaps the bleakest and heaviest song held on the album. The lyrics
and vocals once again demand your full attention. The song ends with
psychedelic and ambient drone sounds leading into the next song.
The
other three songs on the album – Conduit, Coiled Light and Nebulas
– carry on the heavy Space Rock theme that Solar Halos build their
heavy music upon. The atmosphere can be quite intense especially on
Coiled and Nebulas. The music is rich and quite varied compared to
the first half of the album.
The
production is first rate and gives Solar Halos music quite an epic
feel especially with the heavier Sludge/Doom Metal parts appear.
Coiled Light becomes more of a cinematic experience and that’s down
to both the fantastic production and musicianship held on the album.
Coiled
Light has quickly become one of my favourite albums this year and I’m
not afraid to admit that the album will be in my Top Five Records of
this year. It’s simply that good.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks to Niels at Cursed Tongue Records for the promo. Coiled Light will be available to buy digitally on April 12th 2019. The Vinyl will be released via Cursed Tongue Records in May 2019.
