Sol Invictus has been around since the 1987, and is widely considered as one of the forefathers of the neofolk scene.  Even with that kind of recognition, few people know about the group, which is the brainchild of Tony Wakeford, who himself has been in the music scene since 1977.  With a record deal with Prophecy Productions in place, Sol Invictus figures to see a small spike in the number of people who will listen to the band, and the first full length since the signing The Cruellest Month is a good start.

For those unfamiliar with the Sol Invictus sound, they are a neofolk band with industrial elements thrown in for good measure.  Wakeford’s deep vocals are as much of an atmosphere maker as the music itself, which is something that most bands today cannot claim.  The rather deliberate pace in which the music is set is another key element to the Sol Invictus sound, as evidenced on “Fools’ Ship” and “The Bad Luck Bird.”  There is a lot to pick up from The Cruellest Month, even with the minimalist method in which Sol Invictus operates, as it can go from a German-influenced sound (“Toys”) to a more traditional style of folk (“The Bad Luck Bird”).  Many of the songs are mechanical in nature, which is a byproduct of the group’s penchant for mixing industrial elements into their sound.  This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it gives the listener a unique perspective on the neofolk scene.  Like most neofolk bands though, Sol Invictus is best enjoyed when the atmosphere and the surrounding elements are at the ideal setting, so it wouldn’t be recommended listening when you’re exercising, for instance.  Though there are no fillers on The Cruellest Month, tracks that are worth checking out include “Cruel Lincoln,” “To Kill All Kings,” and “Toys.” 

Having been around for over two decades, Sol Invictus has been gaining new fans with every subsequent album, and The Cruellest Month figures to be the band’s most successful from that standpoint.  Even if you had never heard the band before this album, their influence can be heard, most notably in bands such as Agalloch.  The Cruellest Month serves as an intricate atmospheric maze that will keep your attention for a while, and is worth checking out if you have never heard of the group.

TRACK LISTING

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*Comments:

1.  Raining in April
2.  To Kill All Kings
3.  The Sailor’s Aria
4.  Fools’ Ship
5.  Toys
6.  Edward
7.  The Bad Luck Bird
8.  April Rain
9.  Cruel Lincoln
10.  Something’s Coming
11.  Stella Maris
12.  The Cruellest Month
13.  The Blackleg Miner
Total playing time:  56:52

Release Date: June 10, 2011
Label: Prophecy Productions

Sol Invictus - The Cruellest Month

Reviewer: Peter

June 14, 2011