The Moshville Times - Album Review: Solar Sons

Dundonian heavy rock trio Solar Sons recently added their sixth studio album to their booming discography. Altitude, mixed and mastered by Jamie Gilchrist at Nameless City Sound is an impressive exploration of cosmic groove rock honed through over a decade of relentless single-minded dedication. This album explores unity, having an optimistic outlook and sharing that positivity through music. Having recently been signed to Argonauta Records, it’s no surprise this album is full of positivity and excitement for the future. For fans of The Sword, Mastodon and Green Lung (a band the Sons have previously supported).

Secreted amongst the hard-hitters and mystical melodies lie two instrumental tracks. The introductory “Sky High” and half-way breather “Midnight”. The former sets the pace for the album, like a fanfare before a procession this song gives an insight into the depths of creativity and polished sound the album promises. Whilst the latter allows the listener to stop and breathe-in the preceded testament and cools the blood in preparation for the journeys untread.

In second is the titular track “Altitude”. With a jaunty main riff divided by playful noodling Solar Sons establish early their vendetta for feel-good grooves. Euphoric guitar solos rip through the track, never over-played or incongruous, every note helps to build up the energy and atmosphere that carries through the whole of the album. The lyrics detail escaping from the city and the need to keep moving on. Whilst in another context this might come across as morose, the riffs keep the feel light and the constant reference to the ‘altitude’ gives the impression the song is showing the movement away from the dreary past and metaphorically moving upwards in spirit whilst physically riding up into the mountains.

“Shooting Star”, for me, makes the entire record. With thunderous drums supporting a muted riff rumbling away beneath the surface. Everything about this song screams Solar Sons; the celestial subject matter, the ripping solo and the often imperceptible nuances that all weave together to define their distinctive sound. Perhaps the heaviest track of the album with a slamming beat carrying the song behind haunting vocals that fill out the sound masterfully.

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Following is “Head First”, a counter to the previous track’s ferocity; this song winds from high to low and back again with surgical precision – one minute you are swaying and blithe and the next you find your brain aches from conflict with your skull.

Closing out the album, “O.G.” begins with a sleazy low tempo riff before the rest of the band fall in for the album’s climax. This 10-minute mammoth track includes a quad-riff sojourn that piles on top of itself, each riff transitioning effortlessly into the next, taking the song higher and higher, ascending the mountain into the stratosphere. Finishing off with an otherworldly solo, the conclusion of this record has a confidence about it. It exudes the knowledge that the tales told and the music performed is the greatest example of the Solar Sons’ prowess to date.

Since the release of their first album in 2016 (The Great Blue Divide) Solar Sons have leaned into a variety of influences all whilst retaining their signature groove. At some points more prog heavy and at others introducing straight double-kicks that evoke a more death metal-like quality. By album three (Subliminal Criminal) the psychedelic aspects are assured and the individual playing of each member becomes more celebrated, taking breaks to allow each other room to explore and define their sound. This culminates at the release of their penultimate album Another Dimension, full of intricate lip-curler riffs and headbanger sections not a single song on this album doesn’t live up the quality I’ve come to find with Solar Sons. The band have been churning out sonic ear-porn for over a decade and with Altitude now bringing it all to a head it’s no surprise that Solar Sons are beginning to get the recognition that they deserve.

Altitude is a feelgood album unique in its uplifting perspective and sanguine outlook – a frame of mind evermore necessary in modern times. It explores the power music can have on an individual; it’s 43 minutes of silence from the rest of the world that does you good for having listened to it. Take the time to wonder amongst the planets, listen to Altitude and revel in your sonic travels.

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