Soliloquium – Contemplations

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SOLILOQUIUM is a Swedish Doom Metal band who, with "Contemplations," have released their second album to the world.  Their sound is very melodic and absolutely dripping with meloncholy.  In essence, their sound is more closely related to bands like  DAYLIGHT DIES and RED MOON ARCHITECT than the more gothic aproach of Doom bands like MY DYING BRIDE or PARADISE LOST.

"Contemplations," stands out because of the band's clever use of clean instrumentation that switches back and forth effortlessely with their more metal aspects; it creates a very dynamic yet chilling atmosphere.  Guitarist Stefan also does vocals and they stand out very well.  Much like the music, he too switches beween dark and light tones; his Death Metal vocals are very deep, his screams are harrowing, and his cleans are wonderful. Mike Watts plays the drums on this release but he also produced it.  His crystal clear production brings out every little nook and cranny the band has to offer while also agumenting his incredibly dense double bass.

The opening track, "Chains," begins with clean guitar but quickly settles in with a nice slab of metallic, sludgy riffs.  The melodies during the stanzas work well with the growls butit is Jonas that steals the show.  Especially during their quieter moments, his bass shines through and really progresses the songs.  During the heavy Doom parts, he is the rock upon which the band stands."Unfullfiling Prophecy" is a crushing blanket of despair that changes much, often times close to when the drums kick up in speed a notch, as if they are a harbinger spreading ill word.

"22" is somber approach to clean instrumentation and half wishpered speach for vocals.  It isn't a bad track, per say, but it doesnt' really go anywhere and it kills the flow of the album.  I can't help but think this one might had made a better intro or outro. "For The Accursed," puts the album back on track with well played acoustics that lead into a truly wonderful melodic guitar lead., one of many that appear throughout this instrumental. "In Affect," is extremely heavy and features ome of the best riffs on the album.  The tempo is slighty faster but features enough clean passages to keep in the most cynical Doom fanatic (such as myself) happy.  Towards the end of the song, hauting clean vocals illuminate the song's framework.

The last track, "Wanderlust," features Stefan really giving is all for his vocals for they are tortured indeed.  Musically, this song is the most one closely related to Death Metal but still has enough crushing power to keep it from being too extreme.  Despite some pacing issues, this is yet another solid Doom record for 2018

Songwriting: 8
Originality: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 8