Friday, June 2, 2023

Rapid Fire Reviews: Solar Flare

Five-man crew Solar Flare have just released a remastered edition of their self-titled power metal debut album. The Ohio quintet’s brand of traditional heavy metal harkens back to the days of wild guitar solos and high-energy rock anthems. The band’s been around for almost a decade and the LP was initially released in May of 2020. Vocalist Ethan Jackson is a solid frontman backed by the dual terror of guitarists Garian Perry and Codi Davis with a tight rhythm section featuring Michael Fisher on bass and Jeff Ables on drums.

Now this is my kind of music! Some of the highlights for me start with the opener, “Medieval”, a banger of a track and one of my absolute faves of the LP. “Under the Sun” isn’t a cover of the Sabbath song of the same name, but rather a galloping, Maidenesque metal number about the atrocities of war. “Pharaoh” is an epic piece that’ll take you back in time in history with vigorous guitar solos. And my personal pick for best song of the record—they saved the best for last— “A World in My Head”, an intricate song about the inner workings of the human mind.

Solar Flare’s debut shines even more in its remastered form. Fans of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and NWOBHM in general will have a blast with this LP. It’s got enough cool riffs, solos, and catchy choruses to satisfy old school and modern metalheads alike. It’s a strong collection of seven songs without a single dud and comes highly recommended from yours truly.  

Solar Flare on Bandcamp: https://solarflareofficial.bandcamp.com/album/solar-flare 

No comments:

Post a Comment