6th April 2023

Review: “Solar” by Below The Stones

A Progressive Metal act from the West Midlands in the United Kingdom, Below The Stones launched their vision of the genre with 2020 demo “Goliath“, bearing no resemblance to the Butcher Babies cut of the same name. Having essentially dipped their toes in the water and tested the temperature the band then dived right in with 2022 EP “Lunar“, a record offering fretless bass and melodic riffs with soaring vocals as the band not only began to push their borders and boundaries but also hit the road. Treading the boards with Kharma, Born Zero and Monastery the quintet have made their mark on the regional scene as their cauldron comes to the boil nicely for sophomore EP “Lunar“.

Odd time signature grooves bring “Heathen” to life before stuccato riff infestations take hold alongside ethereal clean vocals that threaten to derail the train with their eccletic and eccentric nature. However there are filthy uncleans which draw everything together in fine fashion, leaving a fierce and feisty mix with a technical vibrancy and a couple of blistering solos that will leave you wondering what you’ve just heard. The extremes come from all four corners of the Globe and yet, while it sounds like it shouldn’t work on paper, reality is a whole different beast. The bass of “Gross Machines” pops like Ryan Martinie’s in Mudvayne, the dirge laden grooves giving the cut plenty of punch while the vocal sounds like the worship before a virgin sacrifice at the altar of the damned. Another well worked solo, this time a more technical offering lifts the melodic lid before the band double down on the violent uncleans for a demonically brutal breakdown section that you might not have expected given those clean vocal parts. As a band Below The Stones like to keep you on your toes with clever thematics and dynamic approaches, the achingly beautiful piano and orchestration of title track “Solar” reaching cinematic heights as it plays out with a dark elegance in similar style to The Hope Burden. Life isn’t about the destination but the journey and this one is thought provoking and intelligent while also being good fun [7.5/10]

Track Listing