Artist: SOLSTICE
Album: NEW DARK AGE REMASTERED (CD)

Year: 1998/ 2008
Media type: CD

The black hearted alchemical brotherhood of SOLSTICE were joined together in 1990.

Releasing three cult demos between 1991 and 1993 before completely revamping the line up, guitarist RICH WALKER was then joined by LENNAERT ROOMER (Drums), GIAN PIRAS (Guitars), LEE “CHAZ” NETHERWOOD (Bass) and SIMON MATRAVERS (Vocals). In January 1994 SOLSTICE signed to CANDLELIGHT RECORDS and released their debut full length in the summer entitled “LAMENTATIONS”.This was swiftly followed by a full 14 date UK tour with Sweden’s COUNT RAVEN and a 30 date European tour with ANATHEMA.

1995 saw the band recording the “HALCYON” mini album, which was eventually to see the light of day on Italian label GODHEAD RECORDS as a CD, and BLACK TEARS RECORDS (UK) as a limited 10” vinyl EP, before its release though, Lennaert relocated to his native Holland in the Autumn of 1995, thus forcing the band to seek a temporary replacement, and in the summer of 1996, GIAN PIRAS left to join CRADLE OF FILTH whilst vocalist SIMON just disappeared without a trace.

Undeterred, RICH WALKER recruited bassist LEE NETHERWOOD’s old bandmate RICK BUDBY on drums, and after a brief spell auditioning different vocalists, SOLSTICE roadie MORRIS “Moz” INGRAM was appointed the full time vocalist.

1997 saw the band unleash their legendary “DRUNKEN DUNGEON SESSION” rehearsal demo tape. From this, they were quickly signed by MISANTHROPY Records and 1998 saw them record the milestone “NEW DARK AGE” album. Released to critical acclaim in early 1999!

After 2000’s tour of Germany and England (Which included an appearance at both WACKEN OPEN AIR and the UK METAL INQUISITION Festivals) the band began to compose new songs for their third full length, however by 2002 after playing at the HOA festival in Hamburg, it became apparent that there was some dissatisfaction from the other members, so rather than split the band, RICH WALKER chose to leave to follow his own path…..two weeks later, the band split for good. RICH WALKER later returned with the mighty ISEN TORR featuring brothers in arms from both TWISTED TOWER DIRE and DESTINY’S END/FALCON in late 2003.

The legacy of England’s SOLSTICE has remained untouched, and their crown unobtainable…

TRACKLIST:

01. LAMENTATIONS IV
01. NEW DARK AGE
02. THE SLEEPING TYRANT
03. CIMMERIAN CODEX
04. ALCHEMICULTE
05. HAMMER OF DAMNATION
06. THE ANGUINE ROSE
07. BLACKTHORNE
08. THE KEEP
09. CROMLECH
10. NEW DARK AGE II
11. LEGION XIII

Bonus Tracks:
12. THE PROPHECY (IRON MAIDEN-Cover)
13. STORMCHILD (TRESPASS-Cover)

Total Playing Time: 76:47