Stephen
I was excited about this lil project because I always love Reece's vocal but after several spins, I'm not afraid that 'Solid' is really as solid as I was expecting. The vocal part is undeniably great, and Kronlund's guitar part is also quite amazing, but the problem is obviously on the songs. Half of this album are awesome but half of them are quite average at best, slightly above the middle line actually, but hundreds of other songs are probably as good as them.
'My Angel Wears White' impressed me at the start but I see it's getting sloppy on the chorus. 'Samurai', luckily, clears the smoke and this is the kind of song that strikes you hard and fast and you'll love it instantly. The next ballad, 'Could This Be Madness', is somehow passable. 'Animals and Cannibals' wow-ed me, the chorus is very melodic and infectious, and the riffs are spectacular. 'I Remember You' is an okay power ballad, 'I Would' also could be a monster track, but I'm not sure why would they pick the notes on the chorus, sounds like a mistake to me.
'Edge of Heaven' is another filler I'm afraid but then the best thing come on the last two tracks. 'Magic Pudding' blasted with an amazing riffs with a bluesy feel all over the song and 'The Dead Shall Walk The Earth' leaves me speechless. A very heavy tune and an excellent way to end the album, I really can't think of another song here that fits the role perfectly.
‘Solid’ is a good album but honestly I expect more. This is a decent mix of BANGALORE CHOIR and GYPSY ROSE if you're familiar with those two bands. If they're going to make the second album, hopefully they pay more attention to the songs, leaving out fillers and putting more killers. 75%