Solum is an instrumental side project of Vulkan member Christian Fredriksson, offering Progressive sounds with Heavy traits. The new album, entitled “Avlägsenheten” was released on December 06, 2024 and contains five tracks including an epic suite of over 20 minutes. Three artists take part in the album on bass and drums. The opening track “Grand Enigmatic Wall” immediately shows the musical imprint of the album, with a solid and elaborate rhythm section over which Christian‘s keyboards and guitars weave. A good Symphonic Prog track, fresh and modern with a fine orchestral background and excellent guitar and keyboard work. The rhythm section is elaborate, full of tempo changes, showing good malgaman between bass and drumming. An atmospheric keyboard intro opens “The Disillusionist,” before developing into heavy guitar riffs and a gritty rhythm section. The artist explores Heavy Prog sounds, with retro and modern finding the right meeting point. The sound is dynamic and incisive, developing the theme ij a musical crescendo that culminates in pompous keyboard melodies. Between Symphonic Prog and Heavy, the track shows good ideas that enhance the compositional and performing technique of the artists involved. We are in the middle of the album with “Ephemeral,” the shortest track in duration, still exceeding three minutes. A dreamy intro with acoustic guitar arpeggios then develops into an elaborate prog theme with more delicate traits than the previous one. A pleasant track with a refined and technical bassline, solid and elaborate drumming, and fine and delicate guitar and keyboard interlacing. “Perplextacy” opens with percussive drumming and dark keyboard melodies that characterise the intro. The theme developed by the band is sophisticated with good guitar and keyboard work that duet in solos over a prominent bassline. Very interesting are the tempo changes and the trebly phrasing of the chitrar and keyboards and the bass. A technical and engaging track at the same time, with Symphonic Prog mixing with some Fusion passages, culminating in a fresh and modern sound. An album that confirms what was heard in the previous one, enhancing the artist’s songwriting and the performing technique of the entire lineup. Long instrumental tracks of Progressive Rock with solid and elaborate rhythm sections and textures of keyboards and guitar led by Christian. A recommended listen for lovers of instrumental Progressive Rock sounds between Symphonic and Heavy passages, always keeping the intensity high.
Tracklist
01. Grand Enigmatic Wall (04:48)
02. The Disillusionist (07:41)
03. Ephemeral (03:54)
04. Perplextacy (06:38)
05. Luminance (20:04)
Lineup
Christian Fredriksson (Vulkan) / Guitars & Keys
Simon Frödeberg / Bass
Claes Josefsson / Drums (1-4)
Johan Norbäck / Drums (5)
