REVIEW: Solarcycles - 'Ethereal Storms' EP

Solarcyles are a folk metal band from the Netherlands who incorporate Celtic and Scandinavian influences giving them a very alluring and interesting sound. The band describes their music 'an esoteric journey propelled by forces unable to behold'. They formed around five years ago and released their debut EP 'Ethereal Storms' in 2017, I didn't have the pleasure of hearing the EP back when first released but I'm very glad they were bought to my attention now...

Intro and opening song 'Hold On To The Sun' is short but impactful being atmospheric and setting the scene for what lies ahead and transitions wonderfully into 'Setting Sun' which blazes to life with fast guitar licks reminiscent of Nightwish instrumentally. We are graced with alluring vocals from Sascha Van Der Meer to accompany the lively folk instruments that are skilful and enchanting as the vocals throughout, this is a very enjoyable and ambient experience.

'Seven Spheres' opens on a blissful note before soaring guitars and instruments take hold and offer a beautifully crafted extremely melodic folk metal track which has everything you could hope for and will make you forget all you worries and concerns.

'Blood Moon' is sublime and captivating and is longest offering on the EP which you can simply get lost in as it flows along and progresses elegantly with yet more divine and beautiful vocals from Sascha.

Final track 'Clouded Stars' is dynamic and keeps things diverse with the addition of contrasting harsh male vocals to accompany the stunning clean vocals, making a powerful and strong one to end on, especially with another hard-hitting solo, it packs all their best elements into this final offering and features everything you would want.

'Ethereal Storms' EP is very appropriately named with the title embracing the sound wonderfully, it is blissful and endearing with a nice balance of airy optimism tinged with a darker gloomy current, making it a perfect listen to suit any mood. This is excellently composed folk metal at its peak and is a joy to listen to, it will be exciting to see what Solarcycles releases next.

You can buy "Ethereal Storms" at:

Solarcycles' website

Amazon

iTunes

Deezer

Check out the video for 'Setting Sun' below:

For more on Solarcycles:

https://www.facebook.com/solarcyclesband/

https://solarcycles.bandcamp.com/

Comments

SOULFLY/CAVALERA CONSPIRACY Guitarist Marc Rizzo, Set To Release Rotation March 30th Via Combat Records

SOULFLY/CAVALERA CONSPIRACY guitarist Marc Rizzo has set the release date for his new LP ROTATION, in stores March 30th via Combat Records/EMP LABEL GROUP/AMPED in North America, and COMBAT/SPV in Europe. ROTATION is the 4th solo release for Rizzo, following 2004’s COLOSSAL MYOPIA, 2006’s THE ULTIMATE DEVOTION (both released by legendary shred label SHRAPNEL), and the independently released 2010 LP LEGIONNAIRE. Produced by Chris “Zeuss” Harris (Hatebreed, Soulfly, Rob Zombie, Chimaira), and featuring cover art by Melody Myers (Escape The Fate), ROTATION is a blistering showcase of Rizzo’s pummeling eclectic diversity, showcased on album tracks including “Spectral Intensities”, “Thrash Boogie”, and title track “Rotation”, combining Rizzo’s penchant for pummeling, low-end riffs, with thrash-intensive leads and heavy Latin flavor. Check out an album teaser featuring “Spectral Intensities” below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4pU91aaGeY Originally a member of New Jersey lat...

DEVILDRIVER Reveals Part One of New “Outlaws ‘Til The End” Interview Series

Globally renowned, chart-topping band DEVILDRIVER recently announced the upcoming release of their highly-anticipated full-length album of outlaw country-gone-metal anthems, Outlaws 'Til The End. The monstrous collection of savage metal interpretations will be released via Napalm Records on July 6, 2018, and pre-orders are available now in multiple formats via http://smarturl.it/OutlawsTilTheEnd-NPR with more format options coming soon. This week, DEVILDRIVER is pleased to reveal the first of several segments of a new interview commentary series supporting the release of Outlaws 'Til The End. The first segment, titled "Intro to Outlaw Country", features members of DEVILDRIVER as well as album guests Randy Blythe of Lamb of God, Lee Ving of Fear, Hank3, Wednesday 13, Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory and Brock Lindow of 36 Crazyfists discussing their personal introductions to the outlaw country genre and how it has influenced them as musicians. In the video, Faf...

CHELSEA Announce First Batch Of ‘Mission Impossible’ Tour Dates

Punk legends CHELSEA have announced the first set of dates on their ’Mission Impossible‘ tour, starting at the Undercover Festival in Margate on April 14, 2018. 14/04/2018 UK- Margate, Undercover Festival 20/04/2018 UK- Coventry, Arches 21/04/2018 UK- Preston, Continental 16/06/2018 D-Stuttgart, Goldmarks 17/06/2018 CH-Bern, Rössli 18/06/2018 I-Torino, Blah Blah 19/06/2018 I-Bologna, Freakout Club 20/06/2018 I-Milano, Ligera 22/06/2018 CZ-Písek, Podčarou 23/06/2018 CZ-Ostrava, MC Barák 24/06/2018 SK-Kosice, Collosseum 25/06/2018 PL-Warsaw, Poglos 26/06/2018 PL-Wroclaw, D.K. Luksus 27/06/2018 CZ-Teplice, Knak Club 28/06/2018 D-Dresden, Chemiefabrik 29/06/2018 D-Berlin, Cassiopeia 30/06/2018 D-Düsseldorf, The Tube 13/07/2018 UK- Brighton, Prince Albert 14/07/2018 UK- London, Underworld The bands long awaited and highly anticipated new album ’Mission Impossible‘ was released on Westworld Recordings in October 2017. Undercover Festival takes place at Dreamland, Margate on Apri...

Back On Earth Release NEW EP & Music Video

Back on Earth hit the scene again with melancholic yet lyrically edge cutting "Brand New Day", title track of the brand new EP, featuring Richmond based Telltale, who's had previous support from Pop Punk's Not Dead on Spotify. With "Brand New Day", Back On Earth are going to cut it straight after a few years writing music and are set to gain fans all over the world. The track, which is a follow up to "Heroes" and "Somebody Else", is set to anticipate the new EP which was released on November 20th. Check out the video below: Tracklist 1 - Brand New Day feat. Telltale 2 - Back Home 3 - Until Tonight 4 - Somebody Else 5 - Heroes 6 - Until Tonight (Acoustic) https://www.facebook.com/wearebackonearth https://wearebackonearth.com/

SMALL TOWN TITANS' Viral Bluesy, Hard Rock "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" Topping 2020 Christmas Playlists

York, PA heavy rock band Small Town Titans' incredible rendition of the classic "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" is fast becoming a Christmas standard! Showcasing the trio's bluesy, heavy influence and front-man Phil Freeman's phenomenal range, “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” went viral in a matter of days in November, 2018, leading to charting on various Billboard charts including Holiday Digital Song Sales, Rock Digital Song Sales, Emerging Artists, while reaching #5 on the Next Big Sound chart. The song also reached #2 on the iTunes Rock charts, only being surpassed by Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. So, if you're ready to throw off 2020 and get into the Christmas spirit, add this exceptional cover to your playlist! "Our cover of this classic is a gift that keeps on giving for us and we're grateful for an era where songs are easily available to be covered. It's all thanks to Ben's (guitar player) insistence on making more content and our m...

SETTLE YOUR SCORES' New LP 'Retrofit' Out Now via Mutant League Records + The New Video "Broken Heart Scenario"

Cincinnati, OH pop-punks Settle Your Scores have released their new album "Retrofit" via Mutant League Records. The band is also debuting a nostalgic new video for the track "Broken Heart Scenario." Vocalist Christian Fisher says, "The Broken Heart Scenario video is living proof that it was never a phase. We wanted to capture the visual elements of 2005 emo music videos accurately, but with a humorous twist. This video is a salute to all the elder-emos out there. Stay true, and lay your eyeliner on thick." Check out the video for "Broken Heart Scenario" below: Stream/Buy 'Retrofit' Here: https://orcd.co/retrofit "Retrofit" vinyl includes a limited 12" vinyl pressing + multiple apparel designs which each reference tracks from the album. Vinyl Pressing info: Blue Splatter: 150 Blue Marble: 350 'Retrofit' reunites the five-piece with producer Nick Ingram at Capital House Studio (Hawthorne Heights), who previously...

Mad About Rock

Search This Blog