For some years I have been wondering how I would describe the sound of a typical European Metal band. Well, with Solemnity “Opus Barbaricum” I found it. The most outstanding feature is the use of Classical Music in the writing of the songs. This use, thought, might lay hidden from laymen ears, however, there is the melodic vocals and some guitar interventions. The typical European Metal is much more melodic than its likes. Another idea is that the melodic vocals lines are always in contrast with strong guitar features from powerful riffs. Following this same idea, there are always singalong chorus as Accept love. The ones one follows without even noticing. Needless to say Accept are a great reference.
Alright then, here come Solemnity with “Opus Barbaricum” after a long hiatus. The band was formed in the winter of 1998 and began gaining recognition through energetic live shows and a strong visual aesthetic influenced by classic horror imagery. Their early recordings helped them build a dedicated following within the European heavy metal underground. A first demo release in 1999 introduced the band’s dark and epic sound, combining powerful vocals, traditional heavy metal riffing, and dramatic lyrical themes inspired by horror literature, mythology, and fantasy. This seventeen track album is all about the aforementioned plus some tracks that I could only understand as inspired on the band’s premise as “Meat Evil Steal (A Barbecue Symphony in B minor).“
I would say Solemnity sound as a slow Hammerfall. To some extent, a comparison with Sabbaton serve us right. Of course, I think this would be a surly simplification, but it serves right to give my dear child of the night an idea of the music in the album without having to listen to it. Add to that more melodic as the ballad “Freya” tells the fan.
There is, though, a feeling that does not rest in peace. As the press release says “[a]fter several years of inactivity, the band was officially declared disbanded in 2018. However, unreleased material from previous recording sessions continued to circulate among fans, keeping interest in the band alive within the heavy metal community.” Does that mean “Opus Barbaricum” is compilation of unreleased material? Well, as the devil is in the details, I have to concur with it. “Cheesecake Commando“? Hm… Another burning question. Is that a girl at the cover? So sorry, sometimes I do not deal well with some material I receive.
Solemnity “Opus Barbaricum” will be released on May 15th via Solemnity Music / Hofa.
Track Listing:
01. Nightmares From The Neighbourhood
03. Meat Evil Steal (A Barbecue Symphony in B minor)
04. Empire In The Underground
05. Escape From The Matrix
06. Freya
07. Cheesecake Commando
08. The Sleeper
09. Bitch With The Bow
10. We Willl Shine
11. Storm Of Steel
12. The Dragon
13. Drums of War (Resistance)
14. Idiocracy
15. Gladiator
16. The Way To A Fortunate Wedding (by Henry VIII)
17. Frozen In Time
Watch “Meat Evil Steal (A Barbecue Symphony in B minor).” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!