Absolutely stunning album that elevates blackened death metal with proggy influences to another level. Huge riffs solar fire solos and fantastic sounding mix…Harsh and melodic sections are arranged into a kind of sonic alchemy..And the chamber instruments and horns only deepen Solemn’s intoxicating spell. Beyond interesting ideas, this record is a collection of killer and catchy compositions. I will be shocked if Solemn isn’t among our top of ‘24. Endless listening will not be done In Vain 🔥

A stunning album of signature Meliah Rage riffs only far more melodic and intense arrangements. “History will tell” may be my favorite Meliah Rage song of all time. Heavy, catchy, and the lyrics are powerful and strikes the metal heart of any thoughtful head banger 🤘🏻

GRAVKVADE often hover in fully realized ambient funeral doom—complete with somber synth strings and horns— eliminating all Skepticism(s)…But before you catch your breath, you are pummeled into sublevels of DSBM. A potent brew of utterly despairing and dispirited funeral blackened outsider extremity to savor.

Mike Munro is one of the most underrated in metal. His singular voice made Meliah Rage’s “Kill to Survive” a lasting favorite in my collection. Nearly 40 years later, Munro’s mastery is on full display on this record. Coupled with the legendary Steel Assassin NWOBHM song craft and fantastic lyrical themes of fallen soldiers, epic stories of the Gilded Age, and Poe’s classic story, Kingdom of Tyrants exceed all my expectations. “Architects of Power” is massive epic metal of the highest order.