Review: Solstice Coil – Natural Causes

“This isn’t an album created by any old slob, who just received a 10W amp and lust for Dream Theater overnight…”

Artist Name: Solstice Coil
Album Name: Natural Causes
Year: 2011
Genre: Progressive Rock
Label: Melodic Revolution Records

Israel’s alt-prog-rockers Solstice Coil claim to “combine the emotional and the intellectual”; well, judging by their second album, Natural Causes, they should also add “unique” into that equation, because this album tremors with a fierce originality. Make no mistake; this is an album created by trained musicians who know exactly what they’re doing. The classical and jazz influences (particularly in the drum beats and time signatures) seep through every sound byte, and the fact that most of the band members are talented multi-instrumentalists confirms that this isn’t an album created by any old slob, who just received a 10W amp and lust for Dream Theater overnight. The instrumental sections alone are of the highest order and several moments merit to be hailed as epic and extravagant. Credit must also be given to the vocals of Shir Deutch, who is extremely comfortable in his own skin, refusing to imitate anyone, yet pushing the limits of his pipes with different styles (‘Question Irrelevant,’ ‘Outcome Inevitable,’ and ‘I Know’ show off some of his finest moments on this record).

Nonetheless, Natural Causes isn’t without its flaws, either. Sometimes, Solstice Coil try to be too clever, only to fall flat on their musical faces, such as on the dreadful cacophony known as ‘Singalong Deathtrap,’ which fails miserably from the onset. Furthermore, they have a knack of destroying certain songs with unnecessary (or out-of-place) sections, such as the pitiful solo on ‘I Know’ (it’s horrible, and reminds me of the dreadful tone effects of a cheap, 1992 Casio keyboard), which leaves a skid mark on an otherwise fantastic song. I understand that they want to push the boundaries of songwriting and music, but sometimes you just have to accept that less is more.

All in all, Natural Causes gives you a lot to mull over. Although, I still believe that the album does suffer from overcomplicated sections, Solstice Coil deserve praise for originality alone. Good effort.

Best Tracks: ‘Question Irrelevant,’ ‘Outcome Inevitable,’ and ‘Walking Graveyards’

65/100

- Josh Smith