Solitary are back with their fourth full-length album, and although they were formed back in the Nineties, the return of bassist Gareth Harrop finds them now with three members from those days, while lead guitarist Andy Mellor has been in the ranks since 2003. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Richard Sherrington still has all the passion and venom back from when he formed the band more than 25 years ago, with the line-up being completed by Roy Miller who joined just after 1998’s debut album, ‘Nothing Changes’. Even by the late Nineties the heady days of straightforward thrash were behind us, with very few bands managing to stay the course and do anything of real significance. One of these is of course the mighty Testament, and Sherrington has vocals which reminds me of Chuck Billy, but while Miller is a good drummer he is just not in the same realm as Gene Hoglan, and the same goes for the guitarists v Skolnick and Petersen, and, it must be said, the tunes.

This is middle of the road thrash, which could have done with a thicker and heavier production, the result being something which is interesting and enjoyable without ever having the power and finesse to take it to the next level. This is the second album in three years, as well as an EP, so they obviously have a new lease of life, and anyone interested in Testament-style of thrash will probably get something out of it while never being essential.

Rating: 6/10

Links:
https://www.solitary.org.uk/
https://www.metalville.de/