Well worth the effort to discover.
I've struggled a bit with Soldierfield and don't mind admitting it. However, don't let that put you off reading any further because they have won me over with an album that's full of some great Rock tunes, fine guitar tones and an outstanding vocal performance from Leigh Oates.
Based in the Manchester area, Soldierfield released a five track EP in 2012 and now present 'Catharsis' as their debut album. The album opens with 'The Light' with unforgiving Heavy Metal riffs and a powerful but raw vocal. There is a bit of melody and harmony in the chorus but to the most part it's the crunching guitars and shredding lead break that dominate in similar vein to 'Beautiful Lie' which swiftly follows. 'The Only War' begins to show that Soldierfield are more than just a harsh Metal band with a melodic intro and a real impassioned performance from Oates. The Metal riffs are still there, make no mistake, but within a song that has a lot more to offer.
The assault continues with 'Monochrome' and I am beginning to think that this is very competent, but so far uninspiring Metal overkill. But then in 'Ghosts', Soldierfield delivers a classic combination of subtlety and power that even has a touch of acoustic guitar in the rhythms. 'New Religion' also has its harmonies and changes in pace as the album gets better as each track progresses. Title track 'Catharsis' is an acoustic balled as we head towards the highlight of the album in closing track 'Cut The Ties' which combines power and melody in the guitars with a soaring vocal.
'Catharsis' is most certainly an album that will grow after several plays, not least because it saves the "best 'til last" as the songs grow in quality and depth as the album progresses. The outright Metal onslaught of the first few tracks is strong enough, but at that point I couldn't help wondering how one dimensional the band were. Thankfully Soldierfield proved that first impressions can be very wrong.
'Catharsis' may not be instant hit but I do recommend it as it's well worth the effort to discover.
Ian Parry
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