Birmingham, UK based Experimental/Post-Rock outfit Solars published the official video for the title-track from their debut album “A Fading Future” out on September 06, 2024 via Ripcord Records. Watch the video through the YouTube player below:
Stream “A Fading Future” on all major streaming services!
Building from three promising EPs comes Solars debut album “A Fading Future.” Tightly knit from seven blistering and dynamic tracks, Solars present an energetic workout for the ears – a galore of choppy drums, off-kilter rhythms, chunky riffs and textured guitar leads. The Birmingham, UK based instrumental Post-Rock and Metal quartet have crafted a fine tapestry woven from blood, sweat and tears. A fulfilling listen that expertly balances high action musicianship with dreamy and sombre passages, exploring varying levels of looming fear, self-depreciation and personal woe.
“A Fading Future” opens with the familiar and treasured voice of beloved biologist and BBC broadcaster David Attenborough on “Holocene,” warning us of the potential doom our civilisation imminently faces. His words come backed with a swelling of gloomy bass and explosive guitar riffs, adding weight and drama. As the title suggests, Solars are critical of times ahead as we move into a civilisation wrought with division, conflict and environmental destruction. Just as crucially, the quartet also express their fears of a society increasingly controlled by technology, artificial intelligence and screens. But “A Fading Future” isn’t just another Orwellian warning of times to come, as Solars are also looking inwards at their own fears and inner turmoils, turning personal hardships into a force of creativity and catharsis.
Though the themes expressed may be Heavy, the contrast comes in just how immediate and lively these instrumentals are. Solars burst into life with an explosion of volume, bright textures and wild interplay across these energetic riff workouts, with second track “Retrograde” setting a precedent for the sound and force of the whole album. Fast, choppy drums, frenetic riffs, surprising tempo changes and thumping groove-laden bass. “Doomscrolling” is Solars most accessible track; a real face-melter built from chugging palm-muted riffs that escalate in tension and intensity with classic sounding guitar licks along for the ride, culminating in a thrashy maelstrom of techy guitars and punishing drums. The title track and album centrepiece “A Fading Future” is a slight calm, favouring melancholic clean guitars, yet loses none of Solars fiery musicianship. Here the band sail across a lengthier track-length bringing out their Progressive Rock influences along the way. Lead single “A Hill To Die On” and “Inertia” prove that Solars are a musican’s band capable of awe-inspiring tight interplay that never lets up. Solars conclude “A Fading Future” with their most personal, emotive and reflective song “Ablation,” inspired by the sad dissolution of a marriage and all the feelings and changes that come with it, ebbing and flowing in their sonic tide. Solars are certainly not your classic definition of Post-Rock – never relying on tried and tested crescendos – but instead reaching the most exhilarating and epic moments straight away and maintaining them. This is an album where you can feel the blood and sweat splattering into your stereo speakers.
“A Fading Future” will be released on Vinyl, CD and Digital formats on September 6th through Glasgow based label Ripcord Records – a positive force in the world of Post-Metal and Experimental Rock and home to the likes of Ba’al, The Grey, Vnder A Crvmbling Moon and more. The album has been preceded by lead single “A Hill To Die On.” Solars have proven themselves to be an exciting live staple around the Midlands and across the UK. The quartet have shared stages with the likes of Raging Speedhorn, InMe, Hundred Year Old Man, Copse, Blanket, Pijn, Alpha Male Tea Party, PolyMath and more. With the release of “A Fading Future” and partnership with Ripcord Records, Solars aspire to take their choppy riff assault to wider audiences and stages.
Purchase “A Fading Future” here:
Ripcord (CD) // Solars (Vinyl)
Tracklist:
01. Holocene
02. Retrograde
03. Doomscrolling
04. A Fading Future
05. A Hill To Die On
06. Inertia
07. Ablation
Lineup:
Chris Neal / Guitar and Programming
Keiran Roberts / Guitar
Andrew Lee / Bass
Jack Jeffries / Drums and Samples
