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Solution .45: Nightmares In The Waking State-Part II

The first thing about this new Solution .45 release, Nightmares In The Waking State-Part II (AFM Records), is that it isn't technically new, it was recorded at the same time as Part I that was released in late in 2015. The idea being that they were recorded as one long album, but then split into two separate halves as to make each release a bit more interesting. It has made the anticipation for fans a bit fun and thus created a buzz.

Nightmares Part II also contains 10 tracks just as Part I did, but the biggest difference is that Part II is more melodic, while the lyrical theme is about the struggle and art of making it through the harder times of life. This is something that we have all wrestled with at some point in our lives and Solution .45 have devised a soundtrack for you.

Taking you through the darker places within yourself, Solution .45 have served up another 10 tracks of their unique brand of Modern Melodic Death Metal that the Swedes have perfected. Christian Älvestam's eloquently silky clean vocals combined with his gravelly throated bellowing is his trademark and again they work perfectly within these highly orchestrated songs. Songs like "Inescapable Dream" show off Älvestam at his best as he delivers both sides of vocals on a melodic driven tune that has as many hooks as it does pounding riffs. Guitarists Patrik Gardberg and Jani Stefanovic unleash unholy terror up and down their fretboard's with total reckless abandon as they creatively shred unique solos in each and every song.

As in Nightmares In The Waking State-Part I, Solution .45 collectively continue to forge into new territory carving out more and more of a path unto themselves. Songs like the eerie and dream-like "The Curse That Keeps On Giving" adds even more depth and layers to a band that has already, in just 2 previous releases, created a sound of their own within a genre of bands that sometimes sound like one another all too often. "Built On Sand" will leave guitar players dizzy once they hear the fretboard gymnastics of the opening and then you will find yourself lost in the nasty groove ....and then the huge and soaring chorus kicks you ass. "Heavy Lies The Crown" opens with a Djenty detuned thumping of a riff that then expands into dark and beautiful, as well as heavy way to close out this Part II. Complete with soaring vocals and growls throughout, this track covers the spectrum of emotion and ways to deliver the heavy.

Solution .45 crushed it with Part I and now Nightmares In The Waking State-Part II follows suit in a slightly more melodic, albeit heavy way. Fans of For Aeons Past will love Nightmares Part II, as well as fans of Nightmares Part I, it picks up right where they left you on Part I. Heavy, Progressive, Melodic Death Metal hailing from Sweden is a combination for an excellent record and Solution .45 are now 3 for 3 with delivering excellent heavy and melodic music that is unique and down right awesome to listen to. This is a killer album.

See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!


Solution .45:
Christian Älvestam - Vocals
Patrik Gardberg - Rhythm and Lead Guitar
Jani Stefanovic - Rhythm and Lead guitar
Rolf Pilve - Drums


Track Listing:
1. Dim Are The Pathways
2. The Faint Pulse Of Light
3. Mind Mutation
4. Built On Sand
5. Inescapable Dream
6. The Curse That Keeps On Giving
7. Chain Connector
8. What Turns The Wheels
9. Misery Mantra
10. Heavy Lies The Crown

Added: November 30th 2016
Reviewer: Butch Jones
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 5529
Language: english

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Solution .45: Nightmares In The Waking State-Part II
Posted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2016-11-30 09:44:35
My Score:

There are many heavy metal bands who just seem to float completely under the radar of the masses despite a string of sensational releases that deserve to be heard & enjoyed by many. Solution .45 are a perfect example of a band who are just firing on all cylinders, creating music that would satisfy anyone who enjoys a seamless blend of death metal, progressive metal, melodic rock, and progressive rock. Here we have part two of the Nightmares in the Waking State concept which saw the first chapter released in 2015, and it's another doozy. Led as always by the commanding vocals of Christian Alvestam, he of the herculean death growl as well as the soaring melodic voice, the band also features the blistering guitar talents of Patrik Gardberg & Jani Stefanovic as well as the nimble drumming courtesy of Rolf Pilve. Fans of Alvestam's days with Scar Symmetry no doubt are already aware of his multi-layered vocal talents, and he again puts on a clinic here on this latest Solution .45 release. "Inescapable Dream" is a just a complete mind-bender of progressive death metal, guitars crushing and blazing, while "Built on Sand" takes things to another level with some jaw dropping musical complexity. Of course, it's not all bone crushing metal, as the band inject plenty of atmosphere and proggy bits around, like they do a the intro to "Chain Collector" before the jackhammer drum blasts, heavy riffs, keyboards, and venomous growls from Alvestam take over. When they put it all together, as they do on "Heavy Lies the Crown", the results are magnificent.

Brutality, hooks, and classic...this one has all that and more. Melodic & progressive death metal doesn't get much better than this folks!



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