I was at the last Solace show. It was June 2012 at Days of the Doomed II in Wisconsin (review here). They were piss drunk and still nailed it front to back, a booze-breath tornado of heavy righteousness. Not the best show I ever saw them play — being in New Jersey, I was fortunate to catch them many times and some of my best gig memories are of sharing the stage with them — but their volatility was in full display and they still managed to hold it down. At the time, that was to be it. Three years later, less so.

Even at that point, they’d broken up. The forever underrated Garden State rockers released their last album, A.D. (review here), on Small Stone in 2010, and for my money it was the best record that came out that year. Guitarist Tommy Southard has contributed to various projects since — notably the malevolent sludgers The Disease Concept — and bassist Rob Hultz is now also a member of Chicago doom legends Trouble‘s current lineup, but as Vultures of Volume II — slated for this September, presumably somewhere in Maryland — brings Solace back together, it will be good to see Southard and Hultz back on stage with drummer Kenny Lund, guitarist Justin Daniels and vocalist Jason after such an absence. I won’t hold my breath for new material, but am happy to take what I can get from these much-missed riff pummelers.

Also confirmed for Vultures of Volume II are Righteous Bloom, whose debut LP should hopefully be recorded by then, and Disciple of Doom, which is a new project from Solitude Aeturnus/Candlemass vocalist Robert Lowe. Seems like they’re off to a good start.

Fest is Sept. 4 and 5, venue TBA. Info below from Thee Facebooks:

Let there be silence no more! Vultures of Volume Fest is back for its second installment, taking place September 4th and 5th, 2015!

Followers of the riff… rejoice! The one and only Robert Lowe will be joining us with his brand new project DISCIPLE OF DOOM! Making their first east coast appearance at Vultures of Volume II, Disciple of Doom will be bringing the very best of both Solitude Aeturnus and Candlemass! The power of the riff compels you…

Remain steadfast doomers, for another announcement is about to be unleashed!
You want riffs? You want absolute, unbridled heaviness? Hold those tallboys high, because Vultures of Volume II is proud to announce that the mighty SOLACE rides again! Bringing their New Jersey style of alcohol infused stoner/doom, SOLACE shall leave no beer undrunk, no head unbanged, and no one left standing… You’ve been warned!

The final page may have been turned in the story of Beelzefuzz, but Vultures of Volume II is honored to play a part in the journey of RIGHTEOUS BLOOM! Featuring core members Dana Ortt and Darin McCloskey, along with scene stalwarts Greg Diener (Pale Divine) and Bert Hall (Revelation), RIGHTEOUS BLOOM promise to take you on a trip like no other! Let their magical mixture of psychedelia and heaviness consume you!

More announcements coming soon, including venue/location, and more bands!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vultures-of-Volume-FEST/578873918893964
https://www.facebook.com/SolaceBand
https://www.facebook.com/discipleofdoom
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Righteous-Bloom/1444843599138454

Solace, “Man Dog” live at Days of the Doomed II

Tags: Disciple of Doom, Maryland, Righteous Bloom, Solace, Vultures of Volume, Vultures of Volume II

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 15th, 2015 at 12:08 pm and is filed under Whathaveyou. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.