Release:
AOP Records 19.09.2025
Info:
With "Solastalgia", the German purveyors of soaring post metal work their way to their innermost core and deliver what is easily their most vulnerable and accessible record to date. "Solastalgia describes the grief over the loss of the natural world," HERETOIR explains. The very existence of such a term brutally exposes our alienation from this planet – easy prey for these uncompromising analysts of human misery. While some songs deal with environmental issues, others focus on personal feelings and the challenges of human existence in a rapidly changing world. Heretoir has always been pure emotion. The pain of modern life set to music. And yet the desperate beauty of "Solastalgia" proves to be an unlikely source of comfort.
Just two years on from their stunning full-length "Nightsphere", which was followed by headlining tours through Europe and Latin America and appearances at festival A-listers such as Resurrection Fest, Party-San and Summer Breeze, HERETOIR are back with another crushing masterclass in melancholy and world-weariness. Having grown from a solo outlet for David Conrad's musical vision to a tight-knit trio over the years, the current incarnation of Heretoir has proven to be their strongest yet. Bonded by the firm belief that empathy is the only thing that can truly keep us safe, the three musicians have created an album so full of life that it can be overwhelming at first. It hurts. But sometimes it has to.
Blurred tremolo guitars burst into cascading mountains of sublime melody, harsh cries from the end of the world join mournful vocals, post-rock clouds evaporate against thunderous post (black) metal ferocity. The joint songwriting of David, Matthias and Nils creates the new sound of HERETOIR. After exploring their dark and grim side on "Nightsphere", Heretoir have gone in a different direction this time. The songs of "Solastalgia" cover a wide range of emotional and heavy music. From Modern Metal to Black Metal to Post Rock to maybe even Screamo. Whatever you want to call it: essentially, this is pure melancholy and a spark of hope in utter darkness.
"Solastalgia" was recorded and mixed by David Deutsch and Justin Felder at 1408 Productions. Mastered by Lasse Lammert at LSD Studio. Artwork by Rudolf Hima.
Tracklist:
01. The Ashen Falls 02. Season of Grief 03. You Are the Night 04. Inertia 05. Rain 06. Dreamgatherer 07. The Heart of December 08. Burial 09. Solastalgia 10. The Same Hell MMXXV 11. Metaphor (In Flames Cover)
Line-up:
David Conrad: Vocals and guitars Matthias Settele: Guitars, bass, flute, deer bones and additional vocals Nils Groth: Drums and additional vocals
HERETOIR is David Conrad, Matthias Settele, Nils Groth, Kevin Storm & Stefan Dietz. All songs and lyrics written by David Conrad, Matthias Settele and Nils Groth. |