SOLEMN ROAD TO REFORM ALBUM REVIEW

恕 (Solemn) is a Taiwanese Metal band from Tainan, founded in 2003. Their musical style combines elements of Metalcore, Melodic Death Metal and Thrash Metal. Their label is Ultimate Music.

In their first releases, the band used the English name Shoo, in the 2009 album The Road to Reform they used the name Solemn for the first time. The first album had a sound combining Metalcore and Melodeath elements. In the following years the band had gigs all over Taiwan and became one of the most famous Metal bands in the country.

Members:

Current

小睿 (Ray Wu) Bass

阿文 (Zac Shen) Guitars

小黑 (Black) Guitars

洪翼 Keyboards, Programming

黃小鈺 (Shiayu) Drums (2011-present)

Tracy Vocals (2018-present)

Past

Coolio Drums

Wendy Hash Vocals (?-2012)

豆腐 (Evelyn Tofu) Vocals (2013-2016)

Track Listing

1. 罪行 (Sin) 03:20

2. 厄日 (Disease) 04:20

3. 冷火雞 (Cold Turkey) 03:17

4. 處決 (Execution) 04:49

5. 肅穆大道 (The Road to Reform) 04:18

6. 地底之境 (Somber Side) 05:00

7. 工廠之死 (Factory Sick) 03:11

8. 逆鱗 (Rebellion) 04:18

9. 饕餮 (Erode) 03:28

10. 決燼 (Terminal) 04:54

Top Faves

SIN / TERMINAL

These tracks are my favorites in the album; the songs displayed an excellent dynamics and arrangements. Its sophisticated and appealing to the ears. The sounding of the song has an elements of Melodic Death metal and Metalcore. The band made a great blending of the two genres on the song. I love the riffs displayed. It is catchy and you will love to bang your head. I praise the vocalist since she have a soulful and angelic vocals when she sings the clean vocals while she’s like a monster when growls. Her growl is perfectly performed.

Honorable Mentions

Somber Side

Drum works are the my favorites on the song it gives more technicality and brings in the heaviness the makes the SOUND good. The relentless chugging makes my ears satisfied listening this. On the other hand, the riffs are perfectly executed as well. It has a death-thrash vibe that gives a darker vibe. It complements AS well with the drum plays.

Rebellion

The relentless guitar riffs ARE the assets of the song, same as with Somber side the song has more with Death Thrash vibe. IT reminds me of Erebos’ song RISE FROM HELL. They have similar riffs. The vocalist growls and the Drum plays works well on the guitar plays. It has a perfect mix that makes your head banging experience better.

Least Faves

The Road To Reform

The technicality on the song is nice, IT displayed a stylish guitar plays and aggressive drum plays. But I am not impressed into the melodies displayed. The band, gives in the heaviness and aggressiveness on the song but didn’t give a remarkable beat that I would love. That’s why on the first few seconds on the song. I don’t bite it.

Rating 3/5

The mixture of Melodic Death Metal and Metalcore were executed well on the song. The band is good on formulating good sounds on the album and overall I enjoyed it so much. The sophisticated guitar plays, the aggressive DRUM plays and the soulful singing and impressive growls on this album make the album great.

You would surely enjoy Wendy’s vocals; she’s good on transitioning from Growls on verses on to clean vocals on the chorus. Zack and Black delivered catchy guitar plays and they displayed their talent very well. Coolio’s drums brings in the heaviness on every song that you can’t stop your head banging. Lastly Ray’s basslines gives soul on every song. Every one of them brings their talents out. In terms of production, the arrangement is excellent. It has a good mixing on every song.

I could suggest this album for the fans of Melodic Death Metal. Especially if you are fan of Arch Enemy, The Agonist, Silent Hell and Mergingmoon. If your fans as well of Taiwan metal, I could say this band should be on your bucketlist.