Solbrud is back at work.
Founded in 2009 in Denmark under the name Gargoyle, the band released three albums before playing and recording an exceptional live show in a water tower. In 2024, Adrian Utzon Dietz (guitar), Tobias Hjorth Pedersen (bass) and Troels Hjorth Pedersen (drums), accompanied by their new vocalist David Hernan (guitar/vocals), announce the release of IIII, their fourth studio album, on Vendetta Records.
Ole Pedersen Luk (vocals/guitar, Afsky) still composed and recorded some parts before his departure.
The first part of the album opens with Hvile, the longest composition, which first reveals an intriguing yet soothing clean sound before letting the majestic saturation accompany the haunting march into darkness. The track retains its airy approach, gradually building in strength before welcoming the startling howls and some grandiose orchestration, creating a stark but incredibly well-managed contrast, whether at full speed or in the slower, Doom-laden passages, such as the final that leads us into silence, followed by the rawer Tåge. The sound remains anchored in heavy, lethargic patterns that develop dissonance and ghostly harmonics before suddenly bursting into flames on a virulent final blast that rushes us into Når solen brydes – Del I: En undring vækkes i mit sind, a short track that gently introduces the quadrilogy. The fury explodes from the very first moments of Når solen brydes – Del II: Mod afgrundens flammehav, a much more violent second half that doesn’t forget to let keyboards give it an epic touch before slowing down, then adopting a much more contemplative approach. Once we’ve caught our breath, the band attack again with a lively rhythmic pattern complemented by some female backing vocals, then the sound continues with Når solen brydes – Del III: For evigt – for altid – forandret, letting the oppressive atmosphere revive under the storm. The riffs are once again darker and more brooding, adding to the melancholy of the plaintive cries complemented by the transcendent leads that carry us through to Når Solen Brydes Del IIII: – En Ny Tid For Mig Står, the last and slightly brighter part of the quadriptych, where the musicians come together to create a more soothing atmosphere.
They then move on to Ædelråd, the first track of the second part, which gradually drowns in chaotic dissonance before the drums kick in, quickly followed by the visceral vocal parts. The rhythmic pattern finally breaks down to allow quietude to take a more prominent place, but it is in turn disturbed by a few more surprising elements before darkening once again to sink into madness and let the surges of energy carry us through to Sjæleskrig and its unexpected influences. We find almost Jazz roots in the first leads, strengthening the ataraxia before it is smothered by the cloud of saturation that follows our progress to En Ild Som Tusind Sole, which starts with its ominous notes, followed by the build-up of massive riffs. Fury and lulls take turns to punctuate the composition with its intense touches of despair, then Aske unveils its enchanting intro to create a caesura before in turn surrendering to ferocity with a menacing, eerie sound, populated by touches of DSBM. The track offers little respite before giving way to Postludium, where Post-Black roots howl one last time in the background of this ultimate instrumental composition, which perfectly closes the album.
Although very long (over an hour and a half), Solbrud has turned IIII into a veritable landscape of desolation, where the few touches of quietude are constantly invaded by fury and darkness. If you give it a chance, the album is bound to draw you into its intense, macabre universe.
95/100