Sole Syndicate – Into The Flames

Sole Syndicate
Into The Flames
Label: Scarlet Records
Out: June 17th, 2022
Playing time: 01:08:00

It goes on and on and on, Heaven and Hell…

According to the press release, Sole Syndicate build a bridge between traditional European roots and modern American sounds. The Swedish Hard Rockers are already releasing their third album. Nevertheless, there is little background information about the band. The already quoted press release says that “Into The Flames” is much darker and heavier than its predecessor “Last Days Of Eden” (2020). So, the music must speak for itself.

With “Forsaken”, the Swedes immediately set off a riff firework. In addition, there are powerful vocals. And a refrain that you can certainly sing along to quickly. “Count To Zero” then stomps lively along. Definitely a dance along number at concerts. “Brave Enough” starts quietly with key and string sounds, before it becomes riff-heavy again. But it remains very melodic, especially in the chorus. As with the songs before, small but fine guitar solos are also incorporated again and again. “Shadow Of My Love” is a beautiful ballad, live you can surely see burning lighters or glowing mobile phones. The whole thing is crowned by a brilliant guitar solo. But the contemplation is soon over again. In “Miss Behave” the heavy riffs dominate again. Here played much faster than at the beginning. “Dust Of Angels” invites you to headbang, although it is “only” in the midtempo range. “Sunset Strip” takes the listener back to the good old days of AOR. A great stadium anthem. But then “Do You Believe” is harder again. Once again a dance-along alert. The next contemplative power ballad follows with “In The Absence Of Light”. “Freak Like Me” has an extremely catchy melody without sacrificing any appealing heaviness. With “Back Against the Wall”, Sole Syndicate pick up speed and go a bit harder. The third ballad “Into the Flames” provides the dramatic conclusion. At first, the singing sends shivers down your spine. But from about the middle on, the balladic area is left behind. A song with two musical faces.

“Into The Flames” is a Hard Rock / Melodic Metal album on a high level. The varied songwriting was skilfully recorded by very good musicians. 

for fans of Black Sabbath, Dio, Europe, Godsmack, Alter Bridge, Black Stone Cherry

says the press release. That can certainly be confirmed.

Lineup:

Jonas Månsson – Vocals, Guitar
Katja Rasila – Keyboards, Vocals
David Gustafsson – Bass, Vocals
Henrik Zetterlund – Drums

Track list:

• Forsaken
• Count To Zero
• Brave Enough
• Shadow Of My Love
• Miss Behave
• Dust Of Angels
• Sunset Strip
• Do You Believe
• In The Absence Of Light
• Freak Like Me
• Back Against The Wall 
• Into The Flames