Sol Negro is this obscure Black/Doom Metal band from Seattle, Washington, which has been around since the late 90s but hasn’t really caught the eye of the international press or fans for that matter. It’s such a shame because this is an intriguing band if any. While it calls itself Black/Doom, it’s not wrong, but it’s more like Black/Dark Metal because it’s reminiscent of that beautiful mid-90s period where from Death Metal branched out experimental styles dabbling in the moodier, darker aspects of extreme music. I’m talking about bands such as Paradise Lost circa Gothic (which the band has covered) and from that came about mid-period Septic Flesh and amazing albums such as A Fallen Temple and parallel to this was the semi-melodic Death/Black albums released by Dissection and Unanimated.

Sol Negro is a beautiful, thick mixture of all of the above, represented in a way that no one does any more. All of the abovementioned bands have evolved, for better or worse, and it’s Sol Negro recreating that forgotten art, in its own way. It’s not something that will grab you immediately, but more listens will enamour you to the band’s music, it’s not just unique, it’s also captivating, enchanting and romantic in a sense, the very way Gothic was that or A Fallen Temple. Each of the songs are crafted with attention, multiple layers and moods are portrayed, and those immortal haunting tunes in the Paradise Lost vein.

This is  a (second) reissue of the band’s third, 2012 album by this band and it’s about time it gets its due. All the songs are darkly melancholic, romantic in a wistful way and there’s melodies at every turn, but nothing that’s overly so. I wouldn’t be surprised if this band were from Mexico, considering the style of music represented by Riding Our Black Oceans-era Cenotaph or on The Chasm albums for that matter. It’s got that level of intricacy and attention to detail, played out differently although and that’s even better. Dawn of a New Sun requires your attention and submission. It’s music that is oozing with exotic appeal, if I may, occult to use another word, and has melodies that will haunt you for life, probably beyond.

[Visit the band's website]

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