Solium XI
Litanies Unto Adversary
6.7
The debut full length album from Finland’s Solium XI is an exercise in generically competent, par for the course, melodic slightly symphonic black metal - nothing brilliant, but nothing too bad either.
Released back in 2007, Litanies Unto Adversary plays it safer than safe, culling from the usual Scandinavian peers as well as a hint of a more organic style culminating in a less than spectacular but listenable release that satisfies but never really impresses. The elements are all there; cold frosty atmosphere melds with warm, sweeping but not overbearing synths, mystical, occult themes (complete with lots of “Ov’s”), distant rasps and the blackened dichotomy of slightly forced menace and a sense of solid melody.
It’s hard to pin point exact references as there are so many to pull from, but there’s certainly the expected Emperor and early Dimmu Borgir hues as well some tones from fellow fins Arthemesia wrapped in the band's mix of synths, blast beats and atmospheric segues, but without Emperor's complexity and, to their credit, without Dimmu pomp and over done theatrics. It’s all very middle of the road and, like I said very safe. From intro “Tides that Strike the Shores ov Omega” to closer “Transcending the Kosmos,” there’s majestic blast beats, sweeping, semi epic mid pace marches, scattered stretches of keyboard filled atmosphere and expected ramblings about things ablaze, moonthrones and such blackened cornerstones. None of it really grabs me but tracks but I’ve certainly heard worse than the likes of “Strengthening through Thousand Flames,” “Dweller of the Abyss,” "Chaosatanik Proclamation" and the rather decent opening canter of promising standout “Gardens of Creation Ablaze”. The production is decent and the synths have an epic yet old school presence I enjoy.
If you enjoy the likes of Alghazanth, Sothis, Y3K, Janvs and other such symphonic acts this year, you might want to visit this decent offering. With a new EP on the horizon, I’ll be interested to see how the band develops or if they continue to play it safe.
