Sanctum & Solace – Made Wrong EP
Record Label: Independent
Release Date: February 23, 2018
Oh I’m sorry, did I hit you in the face, with my hardcore metal as soon as you hit play? Be prepared. The flirt of a drum beat and squealing feedback guitar will not prepare you for the face-ripping screams that immediately follow. The look on my face must have been priceless. This is the beauty of listening to something you have never heard before and are not sure what to expect. Let me tell you, it was a wonderful surprise. Welcome to the new Sanctum & Solace EP, Made Wrong.
Sanctum & Solace is comprised of four musicians: Justin Kelly -vocals, James Levin -guitar, Mike Hutchinson -drums, and Benjamin Burrows -bass. They originate out of Mackay, Queensland in Australia.
So track one, 35 seconds long, and conveniently titled, “Intro”, is an aggressive and startling start to this EP. Track two, “Slave” immediately continues where track one abruptly finishes. It is raw and leaves you feeling oddly emotional. Toward the end, a melodic instrumental vibe rings out which is almost cathartic. I felt as if I just went through this epic journey that was both terrifying and uplifting. I was eager to hear what I was in store for next. “1096”, track three, starts off determined and forceful. It merges into a catchy chorus that, once again, was almost emotionally driven. I want to know the story behind this song, because it makes me feel things I cannot quite explain. That is what music is for me though, an emotional force I sometimes can understand, and other times cannot.
On to track four, “The Keeper”, let’s see where this takes me. I immediately noticed the guitar first. It speaks for itself, throughout the entire song. Listen, you will understand what I mean. This is the first song you will hear clean vocals, which are done very well. The screams following, are heartbreaking. Justin has a way with his vocals, and the music compliments them perfectly. “Taedium Vitae”, once again, hard-hitting and uncompromising. Which leads me to the final track, “Social Suicide”. Ferocious, brutal, fierce. I can see why they introduced this as their single. It continues to overwhelm and devastate you throughout the song.
I expect Sanctum & Solace to increase their fan base quite rapidly. While they started in 2013, they seem to be picking up the pace and starting the hardcore metal world on fire with this EP. According to some reliable resources, they are packing concert houses, and leaving some tremendous footprints. Burrows says:
Well it’s been a long and hard process making this and finally releasing it! So we hope it resonates with everyone the same way it does with us!”
Well Burrows, it definitely resonates with me. This is a band you do not want to miss.