In Solitude

The third full-length from Swedish wizards In Solitude artfully combines the wailing, triumphant solos of NWOBHM with the smokier tones of occult rock. Sister slows the classic heavy metal pace down to a languorous groove, unravelling, rather than galloping forward. With clear nods to Mercyful Fate and Coven, and also saluting fellow Swedes Ghost, with their retro-metallic spook-rock, In Solitude explore their genre constraints, instead of attempting to explode or operate outside them. Pelle Ahman's vocals are a perfect foil to the hook-heavy riffing and ambitious solos — thick and liquid for the groovier passages, with just a bit of snarling grit when called for. Sisters gets a bit heavier than typical occult rock, which is definitely a mark in its favour, such as on the stomping, blackened chug of "Inmost Nigredo." Dark and syrupy in tone, with just the right amount of haze, as if from sacred smoke, Sister is a fine addition to the witchy, ritualistic hard rock that's leaving an ever-darker mark on aggressive music.