Artist: Sol Sistere
Country: Chile
Label: Self-Released
Formats: Digital EP
Year: 2026
Personally I ran into Sol Sistere when I randomly picked up the first two albums from one of the many Hammerheart Records sales, together I didn’t pay more than 10 buck for it. A bargain for sure. But it’s probably also a sign of the commercial success the band enjoyed whilst signed to the Dutch label. Apparently, there was no future in the collaboration with Hammerheart Records, so the band moved to the English label Cult Of Parthenope, which, to be honest, I’d never heard of before. That, too, is probably indicative of the trajectory of this Atmospheric Black Metal band’s career. I don’t know whether everything can be put down to the labels involved, but Sol Sistere certainly has plenty of quality to offer. This once again becomes evident on this new, self-released digital EP.
If I am well-informed, ‘Adrift From Reason’ can largely be regarded as some sort of taster for a new full-length album that is in the works. I am not sure whether that new album will be released under the supervision of Cult Of Parthenope, but it surely isn’t any inferior to the material of the band’s last record on the British label. Albeit, ‘Adrift From Reason’ sounds slightly less polished. I wouldn’t go as far as saying it has a rawer sound, but it definitely has an approach that sounds less slick and well-produced as the preceding three albums.
That somewhat less slick sound gives the music a surprisingly different feel. While especially the first two Hammerheart Records released albums were quite overwhelming when it comes to the hard-hitting production, this certainly feels more spontaneous. But, the musical formula itself hasn’t changed a bit – or at all, even. The long-drawn melodies and the quite fast paced drums are all part of the mandatory concept of Atmospheric Black Metal, but Sol Sistere knows how to keep things interesting and reveal that the musicians involved are all very skilled and experienced. Although most of the bands they are or have been part of are not particularly well known, with the exception of Totten Korps, Innana, Poema Arcanvs and Mourners Lament, it is quite clear that these gents have been a fixture on the scene for quite some time.
The band’s slightly more versatile song writing and the extra dynamics added to the sonic palette paints a picture that is worth listening and, surely, promises a new album that is worth checking out as well.
