DIGGING STUFF UP: Solace - 'Further'

R.I.P., Jason.

SOLACE
’Further’
MeteorCity Records (2000)

There is usually no big need for excuses to dig an old album up for this feature aside from something like “I looked at it on my shelf and felt like it”, but unfortunately this rememberance of the Solace debut full-length today was encouraged by the worst possible news coming out of New Jersey - lead vocalist Jason L. passed away, so this is at the same time a go-listen-to-it-right-now and my own way of paying homage to a kickass singer. Fortunately the memories are all good and the music more than holds up today. Solace appeared at the exact right time for a doom band when they put this album out. Having formed essentially out of the remnants of Godspeed (whose solitary 1994 full-length ‘Ride’, released on Atlantic Records, was also pretty awesome), they really nailed what was most exciting about the doom and stoner scene that was finally getting big in terms of exposure, and not just something for the Sabbath, Pentagram and Saint Vitus nerds to worship while hidden by thick clouds of smoke. The thing is that, while appealing to the stoner and rock’n’roll crowd, Solace were always very clearly a metal band at heart. And while it was easy to have a little success with something like this around the beginning of the century by just aping old Sabbath riffs and giving people something to listen to between their Kyuss or Fu Manchu sessions, Solace went the hard way and actually developed a personality. As soon as opener ‘Mad Dog’ rolls out of its rather creepily ominous intro with an earth-shaking Tommy Southard (one of doom metal’s greatest and most underrated guitarists and songwriters, it should be noted) riff, you can immediately tell these guys were following no one but their own muse. Jason’s vocals soon follow, soaring and powerful yet melodic and immensely precise, giving the songs the extra oomph they need to elevate them to true greatness. On top of it, his lyrics are truly poetic and intelligent, very far from your usual weed and wizards silliness that has always plagued the more generic sections of the genre - in fact, some of them have never been printed at all, as Jason thought they were too intimate to be written down.

For the whole hour’s duration - a little stretched due to the closing track’s massive sixteen minutes -, Solace simply deliver great song after great song. There’s at least one memorably unique riff in each of them, and Jason remains a constant highlights with the agility and reach of his voice, always emotional and always very powerful. Oh, and speaking of that last song, it really is the pinnacle of Solace at their most potent, with the rhythm section pounding it out in an almost doom-thrash way sometimes, Tommy belting out heavier-than-lead riffage and Jason going from wails to harsh screams and all the range in between, basically just being Jason.

If you’re just now making your acquaintance with Solace, first of all, welcome, as it’s never too late. The band has had a great run, having even played on a very early edition of Roadburn (2006), and they still exist today with a different line-up, but Tommy’s still there dealing huge riffs back and forth. To complete their golden period, do check out the following album, ‘13’, which would come out three years later in 2003, a worthy follow-up to this amazing gem, full of more amazing, rock’n’rolling, massively heavy tunes. And, obviously, another exception vocal performance by Jason.

We’ll miss you, buddy.

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