Review by Felix on August 4, 2024.

Actually it's a paradox. You know, I know and everybody else knows that the thrash metal classics have been written in the mid-eighties of the last century and only fools believe that any new output can jeopardize their status. (Nonsensical) lyrics like "No apparent motive, kill and kill again" or "Time to run or fight off the strike of the beast" are eternally embedded in our brains (while they rot, our brains, not the lyrics…). Nevertheless, we (or at least me) are always happy when it comes to a new thrash release that spreads the energetic vibes of the style authentically and remorselessly. Solitary's Embrace The Darkness writes another chapter in the pretty successful British thrash story which is full of great albums like The Force, History Of A Time To Come or the mostly underrated The Ultimate Desecration. The fifth studio full-length of Preston's finest is a quite wonderful kick in the teeth of those who herald the death of thrash metal just to make themselves important. In all honesty, I haven't climbed any eight-thousanders, and my research into a vaccine against the Coronavirus didn't go beyond the (unsuccessful) consumption of various alcoholic beverages in a very short time, but – fanfare right now – I have heard a few thrashers during the last four decades and I can tell you one thing for sure: it is hardly possible to find a thrash metal song which bursts more dynamic and more explosive out of your speakers than 'Bury It Now'. And this piece is just one of the highlights of Embrace The Darkness.

The intro takes us back in time. Lockdown, Corona-hysteria, and all this shit which caused politicians who knew no other parameters than their gigantic fear. An unpleasant feeling starts to creep up your spine and indeed, Solitary focus on the dark sides of our existence again. Their conventionally arranged pieces score with very sharp guitars and honest, natural yet robust vocals as well as excellent and precise drumming, but that’s not all. Inter alia due to an immaculate, direct, and powerful production, massive pressure is unleashed. Catchy parts are not missing and the tempo changes are instinctively set correctly. Solitary act as a very well-oiled machine, they play extremely tight and they don’t beat around the bush. The album does not shine with quantity, but with quality, and of course, this is better than vice versa. I guess only Steve Harris disagrees, at least the last Maiden albums indicate this.

Where does the album leave room for improvement? Well, picky guys may moan about a lack of diversity, but this is exactly something I like very much. Embrace The Darkness is a compact, clearly defined dose of anger. Perhaps some voices will say that the band runs out of ideas at the end. It is correct that 'Filtering Hindsight' does not make an enormous impact, but come on, one only acceptable track is allowed – especially as long as you do not want to challenge the classics and this would be, as mentioned before, a hopeless approach. The only thing I really regret are the different song lists on CD and vinyl. Both exclusive tracks (the swift 'Beat The Bastards' on CD, and the rabid 'Divided And Demented' on vinyl) are simple yet masterfully served. Guess I prefer the vinyl edition, because an own song is always better than a cover song, even though it is one of The Exploited. I am sorry, Wattie. Anyway, real thrashers know what to do: jump head first into this album with its vigorous yet slightly tragic and partly keyboards-supported title track, the mature yet still very aggressive 'Virtues', the shredding guitar lines, and the expressive chorus of 'Beneath The Surface', the infernal 'The Disappeared' and so on. I am truly impressed because I expected a good album, but not an output we can almost consider as a new benchmark for today’s thrash metal. However, this is exactly what Embrace The Darkness is – a modern milestone of the genre that is based on blood and sweat, dedication and defiance.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10