I was browsing Bandcamp and was looking for metal albums specifically. So, I went back to a label that didn’t let me down being Transcending Obscurity Records that had a release I really loved back in 2024 being Infinite Mortality by Replicant. So, I give them thanks for leading me here, but what also grabbed my eye was the spider bro on the cover that looked like Zdzisław Beksiński’s universe. One listen later lead to this metal album being a fun experience, that it definitely merits documentation. I know very little about this genre so looking at the myriad number of tags and subgenres to this thing was daunting, but I was not bothered as this album just torn me asunder. They’ve been killing it since 2017 and hail from Canada. Miasmic Solitude is their sophomore album as this is my first run with them, but I do need to visit their first one since I enjoyed what I heard. But speaking of the cover art, Robert Miller as the vocalist stated the band tries to match the cover art and touch the theme of corruption, becoming, disaster in an interview by Distorted Noize. This technical death metal album does get technical as it has the riffs, the melodic progression, and the those guttural screams and growls that sounds like the underbelly of the underworld. These are the diabolical components that make Miasmic Solitude pop off and if you choose to take this hellish journey. Then let fasten that seatbelt. FYI, it’ll probably be ineffectual.
No buildup or anything we immediately drop on this roller coaster ride that is “Conjuring” with these fast, technical riffs, machine drum patterns, and having both guttural and demonic screaming. It even has a church choir accompaniment! He talks about the arachnid god (spider bro) and says these lines to prove their fealty with, “I scoop my eyes out so you see I cut my tongue out so you speak. I rip my guts so you may feed. Offering all I am.” The opening track is a good litmus test of what to expect on this album. “Monuments of Murdering” have these insane guitar arpeggios, while vocalist Robert Miller changes identities jumping different vocal styles all around. I like the start of “The Enthralling Grave” as they start with growling guitars and it goes all power metal with a hyper guitar solo and climbing scales. The energy almost seems to slow down on “Orbweaver”, but no it was misleading as it picks itself back up.
“No Reprieve” is a track that lives by its name, that’s for sure! It’s more speedy power metal goodness. I do love the beginning of “Eve of Flagellation” and how it developed into the vocal passages. “Strelly” is an all instrumental cut with the guitars sounding like insane power electronics. The last hurrah of the album being the titular track, is a satisfying conclusion, with the band sounding like they’ve ascending to space on a stage of fire with the guitars sounding like machine guns. They talk of a woman character being sacrificed to their God. Dang, hate to be her.
This album does have one glaring issue that pervades the album for me. And that is it is not textured. It doesn’t stray from its style after that first track listen and if you expect any nuances, you’ll be left disappointed. So, the same vocal styles, riff patterns, and similar drum fill, may sometimes be a hit or miss. It’s tough to process these songs as memorable. I think it’s because the metalsphere is very alien to me still, so I can’t distinguish as well as other passionate fans. That might be on me.
Miasmic Solitude is an album is all thrills and no frills. You have to be in a certain mood if you are searching for cool technical riffs and then you find yourself picking up your dismembered jaw off the floor. There are no brakes on this car ride to hell. It’s just goes from 11 and never stops. Among the ungodliness that is within this album, it’s just pure adrenaline and fun. A toast! To spider bro!
FAVORITE TRACKS: CONJURING, MONUMENTS TO MURDERING, NO REPRIEVE, EVE OF FLAGELLATION, STRELLY, MIASMIC SOLITUDE
LEAST FAVORITE: JARRELL
You can purchase this album on Bandcamp and their discography is also available for streaming. Links down below.
[Bandcamp]﹡[Apple Music]﹡[TIDAL]
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