Although they were initially hailed as one of the brightest lights of Britain's doom metal revival, Solstice (not to be confused with the American new age proggies using the same name) released only two albums and one EP before going their separate ways on the eve of the new millennium. Formed nearly a decade earlier by vocalist Simon Matravers, the band included guitarists Richard M. Walker and John Piras, ba**ist Lee "Chaz" Netherwood, and drummer Lennaert Roomer. The ... Show more...

Although they were initially hailed as one of the brightest lights of Britain's doom metal revival, Solstice (not to be confused with the American new age proggies using the same name) released only two albums and one EP before going their separate ways on the eve of the new millennium. Formed nearly a decade earlier by vocalist Simon Matravers, the band included guitarists Richard M. Walker and John Piras, ba**ist Lee "Chaz" Netherwood, and drummer Lennaert Roomer. The group introduced their particularly sorrowful style via their Candlelight Records debut album, 1994's aptly titled Lamentations. The Halcyon EP (featuring guitarist Gian Pyres, later of Cradle of Filth) followed the next year, but, Solstice experienced numerous business-related and internal difficulties on their way to preparing 1998's much delayed New Dark Age album. By then, only two original members (Walker and Netherwood) remained, and despite the helping hands of new arrivals -- vocalist Morris Ingram, guitarist Hamish Hamilton Glencross and drummer Rick Budby -- New Dark Age ultimately proved to be Solstice's last album. ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide