Hades Descent's debut EP, Solaris Exterminatus, marks an ambitious foray into the realm of symphonic melodic death metal, blending orchestral grandeur with visceral aggression. This five-track EP is a promising introduction that firmly establishes their presence in the metal scene.
The EP opens with "Solaris Exterminatus", an instrumental piece that sets the stage with its haunting orchestral arrangements. This track serves as a prelude, gradually building tension and anticipation for what unfolds next. It effectively lays the foundation for the symphonic elements that permeate the entire release.
Moving forward, "The Sisyphean Voyage" dives into a relentless assault of melodic riffs intertwined with operatic choirs, showcasing Hades Descent's ability to balance brutality with intricate musicality. The orchestral sections add depth and texture, creating a rich sonic landscape that envelops the listener in a dark, atmospheric journey.
"Malefice", the third track, takes a darker turn, introducing eerie tones and unsettling melodies. Here, the band explores more melancholic themes, adding a layer of introspection amidst the aggressive instrumentation. This track serves as a pivotal moment, shifting the EP's mood while maintaining its thematic coherence.
The centerpiece of Solaris Exterminatus is undoubtedly "The Flight of Sol", featuring the powerful guest vocals of Stefan Strasser (Devil’s Diner). This track not only highlights Hades Descent's collaborative spirit but also amplifies the EP's thematic and emotional intensity. It builds upon the orchestral motifs introduced earlier, culminating in a climactic showcase of technical prowess and artistic vision.
Closing the EP is a bold choice—a cover of Opeth's "Demon of the Fall". This rendition pays homage to their influences while demonstrating their interpretative skills. Hades Descent infuses their signature style into the track, adding a fresh perspective that both honors the original and asserts their own identity within the genre.
Solaris Exterminatus
<< Instrumental >>
The Sisyphean Voyage
Rage through eternal night
Sisyphus flies
No regard for obstruction
Warmth of life brings death
A force of molten fury
A light in the void
Giant mass of pure destruction
Silently it burns a trail through the black
Celestial bodies, pulled from their habits
Trillions of years of status quo
Contorted, distorted and rearranged
By the passing of the guest
Orbits succumb as the new mass arrives
This cascade of fire and flame
A furious concoction of inner turmoil
Passes silent, serenely, journeying on
This force of molten fury
A light, in, the void
Giant mass of pure destruction
Silently it burns a trail through the black
Forward on, the road ahead
New horizons to explore
What will lie in store?
Traverse the threshold of, the Kuiper Belt
Rage through eternal night
Sisyphus flies
No regard for obstruction
Warmth of life brings death
The journey began, before life itself
The destination is unclear
A visit from this traveler
Will eradicate all life, as we know it to be
The only hope, to outlive this event
Is to flee its path
No hope to interrupt
The relentless voyage of Sisyphus, will never end
Malefice
Malefice, unrestrained
Malefice, unrestrained
Malevolence, uncontained
The Flight of Sol
Renovations on the Dyson Swarm of Sol completed
The deed is done, the colossal task
The future seems secure
Humanity rejoices all around the solar system
The crisis is averted
Another generation will endure
Drowned out by the revelries are news our extinction
A nearby star in a thousand years
Immeasurable in scale
Cataclysm will wipe out all life without distinction
Calamity so vast that all that came before it pale
The greatest engineering feat of mankind
No cost too great, no price too high
For failure means extinction
Proxima Centauri is upon us; will we make it?
Our only hope
To move the sun aside with a stellar engine
Five hundred years gone by
The message lost throughout the ages
When scientists on Mars uncover the cruel truth by chance
Nostradamus 04 - the watchful eye of Saturn
Calculated mankind's doom
An AI never errs
Algorithms double checked to ensure they found the pattern
Two stars on a collision course
A good reason to despair
A stellar engine is the key
To humankind's survival
Our only chance to get it right
Will our world be spared?
The greatest engineering feat of mankind
No cost too great, no price too high
For failure means extinction
Proxima Centauri is upon us; will we make it?
Our only hope
To move the sun aside with a stellar engine
Demon of the Fall
Silent dance with death
Everything is lost
Torn by the arrival of Autumn
The blink of an eye, you know it's me
You keep the dagger close at hand
And you saw nothing
False love turned to pure hate
The wind cried a lamentation
before merging with the grey
Demon, demon of the fall
Demon, demon of the fall
Demon, demon of the fall
Demon, demon of the fall
Gasping for another breath
She rose, screaming at closed doors
Seductive faint mist forging
Through the cracks in the wall
I shan't resist
In tears for all of eternity
She turned around and faced me for the first time