SOLE SYNDICATE – Last Days of Eden

Swedish Power Rock with Attitude

November 20th saw the release of Last Days of Eden, the second album from the Swedish Hard Rock band Sole Syndicate. Formed in 2015, the band features Jonas Månsson on vocals, Henrik Zetterlund on the drums, David Gustafsson on bass with Dennis Heltorp and Niklas Strandanäs on guitars. The new release on Scarlet Records is the follow up to 2016’s Garden of Eden.

Big Melodies

Sole Syndicate’s goal is to produce music that lyrically has attitude, yet with strong melodies to drive the message home. With the release of Last Days of Eden they have gone a long way to accomplishing that goal, as the melodies are big and the lyrics definitely have something to say.  The messages on “….And The Truth Will Set You Free” show us that the band wants us to stop and think a bit while we are bopping to the dance beat and rock guitars that drive the tune onward from start to finish. Jonas Månsson has an excellent voice, at times reminiscent of Robin McAuley.

Highlights

While the opener “Wake Up” has strong melodies and some nice riffing, “…And the Truth Will Set You Free” is a much stronger offering with it’s intriguing lyrics and powerful drive.  “Pain is Only an Illusion” offers a little more edge with it’s catchy riffs and tight syncopation, then dialing back down to showcase the vocals. Other stand out tracks for this reviewer include “We All Fall Apart” with it’s tight riffing, and “Brothers” with it’s deep question that asks us to look at all people as our brothers, no matter the flag you salute.

Final Notes

The production is well done, though at times the drums overpower the mix with a snare that sounds like the dreaded gated snares of the late 80s. Given that a large portion of albums are recorded with programmed drums, that in and of itself is not necessarily a negative. However, when every snare hit sounds identical to the last no matter the song or dynamics of the music, then the human feel get’s lost. That said, Last Days of Eden has enough going for it to make it a good addition to your collection. If you are looking for some good Melodic Rock with something to say, buy the hard copy of Last Days of Eden and support the music you love.

Lineup

Jonas Månsson – Vocals
Henrik Zetterlund – Drums
David Gustafsson – Bass
Dennis Heltorp – Guitars
Niklas Strandanäs – Guitars

Last Days of Eden – Tracklist

01. Wake Up
02. …And the Truth Will Set You Free
03. We All Fall Apart
04. Glory Days
05. We Came to Rock
06. Brothers
07. Pain Is Only an Illusion
08. Have You Heard It All Before
09. Bring Us A Hero
10. When Darkness Calls