Solace (Lengsel album)

Solace is the first full length album by the Norwegian metal band Lengsel. An renowned and acclaimed album, Solace initially released on Endtime Productions as a digipak edition in 2000. Around this time the vocalist and guitarist was also a bass player for fellow Norwegian band Extol, who had at the time become an immensely popular band on the American label Tooth and Nail Records' imprint, Solid State Records. Label owner Brandon Ebel licenced Solace for Solid State, marketing it with stickers on the album cover stating that it includes members of Extol. The album was also licensed for the German label Black Sun Records.

Sonically, the album emphasizes on the melodic Scandinavian school of black metal. The vocals are not typical for black metal, taking a more mid-range rasp rather than guttural shrieks or growls, balancing it with occasional clean vocals. The lyrics deal with themes of longing and poetic ponderings on spiritual struggles.

According to Allmusic, the album was "critically acclaimed".^[2]

Track listing

1. "Solace" - 1:04
2. "Revival" - 6:15
3. "Opaque" - 4:16
4. "Hours" - 7:05
5. "Coat of Arms" - 5:58
6. "Stille Dualisme" - 5:47
7. "The World Monotone" - 6:20
8. "Avmakt" - 6:34

Production credits

• Recorded at Endless Studios by Lengsel.
• Executive producer: Samuel Durlig.
• Produced by Lengsel.
• Engineered by Tore Ylwisaker.
• Mixed at Fagerborg Studio by Børge Finstad, Tore Ylwisaker and Lengsel, track #4 mixed at Endless.
• Art direction by Durling, cover painting by Marie Sveen Sthaal, photos by Wreland.
• All keyboards and acoustic guitars recorded by Ole Halvard Sveen.^[3]

References