It is always a pleasure for me to be able to listen to and review the work of Solstice, a band that I appreciate very much and that for me is one of those that most succeeds in bringing freshness to the Prog genre. In recent years, the band has been particularly prolific and productive, offering a new album. Titled “Clann,” it was released on April 04, 2025 via ProgRock.com’s Essentials and contains five long tracks including the final epic of over 13 minutes in length. The tracklist opens with “Firefly,” which we enjoyed as the first single taken from the album, and which immediately immerses us in the band’s musical atmosphere. A fine blend of violin and keyboards drives the sound, intertwining perfectly with Andy’s guitar and the solid, elaborate rhythm section. The expressive and dynamic vocals add quality and a melodic touch to the sound as always. The instrumental sections enhance the band’s choral sound, enriched by the delicate, technical and refined guitar solos. Second track and second single from the band, “Life,” also accompanied by a beautiful video with footage of the band, always very engaging in their appearances. The band’s classic style is permeated with fresh, modern sounds, maintaining those atmospheres of engaging refrains and more elaborate verses and instrumentals. The tempo changes are an added value, allowing the band to evolve the theme of the song with fine symphonic phrasing in a choral crescendo. “Plunk” is an elaborate piece that takes us to explore the different facets of the band’s sound, with a funky rhythm section. The vocals are dynamic and incisive, alternating perfectly with the instrumental sections, with Andy’s guitar coming to the fore in the second half with a prolonged pathos-laden solo intervention. A granitic sound characterises “Frippa,” alternating rougher and more incisive passages with symphonic openings, keeping the intensity always high. A solid and elaborate rhythm section, hypnotic guitar work and refined violin solo inserts enrich the track. The vocals are incisive in the verses and more airy and melodic in the choruses, always giving that extra something. The album ends with the epic suite “Twin Peaks,” named after the well-known TV series, a track over 13 minutes long. A delicate intro with the lead violin plunges us into listening to this excellent track that concentrates within it all the essence of the band. The intensity is always very high, in a constant crescendo that mixes the band’s most dreamy and melodic traits with technical and elaborate passages. The band brings us back to the great tradition of the 70s, with that touch-personal that only over 40 years of activity can give. An absolute masterpiecewhich concludes an equally excellent work by a band that is a staple of Progressive Rock. Once again we have the pleasure of listening to and reviewing the work of a band that continues to offer albums of absolute level. Compositions that enhance the band’s technique and ability to create songs that are engaging, melodic and technical at the same time. A recommended listen for lovers of Progressive Rock sonroities, with that unmistakable touch that only this band can give to their sound.
Tracklist
01. Firefly (06:23)
02. Life (06:33)
03. Plunk (05:26)
04. Frippa (05:54)
05. Twin Peaks (13:49)
Lineup
Andy Glass / Guitars, Backing Vocals
Jenny Newman / Violin
Pete Hemsley / Drums
Jess Holland / Lead Vocals
Robin Phillips – Bass
Steven McDaniel / Keyboards
Ebony Buckle / Backing Vocals
Dyane Crutcher / Backing Vocals
