Doomed Confessionary: Sébastien Grenier (Solstitium)
Photos by Yannick Bossez
Solstitium is an epic death/doom metal band based out of Belfort, France. They just released their full-length debut album »Morgoth« on July 25th, 2024 via Metal On Metal Records.
From northeastern France comes a new band, born from one man’s idea but brought to life through the collective effort of experienced musicians. Solstitium play a riveting mix of ’90s death/doom and epic heavy metal, with each song standing out thanks to varying proportions of each style, a wide range of tempos, moods and arrangements.
Imagine an unexpected encounter between old Paradise Lost, Bolt Thrower, Celtic Frost and Grand Magus on a battlefield, while Basil Poledouris’ music resounds through the plains! And we’re sure you can spot also Runemagick, Ironsword, early My Dying Bride, Necros Christos, epic era Bathory and Doomsword on the flanks. Sounds intriguing? It sure is!
Solstitium are François (vocals), Sébastien (guitars), Franck (guitars), Silvère (bass) and Lethal (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
We are Solstitium and we play a mix of epic doom and death with some old school heavy metal flavour inside it.
The band is quite recent, we started the rehearsals in 2022 and recorded our first album »Morgoth« last year in Opus Magnum Studio in Brussels, with Déhà (Wolvennest, Dropdead Chaos, Maladie).
We’re based in the North-East of France, close to Switzerland, except our singer François who is living in Paris.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
To rehearse all together as far as all the musicians in Solstitium have several other projects, and the geographical distance between François and the rest of us is a bit difficult also, but we did it! The shooting of »The Cimmerian« music video was also a big challenge, we were waiting for the snow, which never came, and we played in the cold winter night for hours… That was pretty challenging for everybody!
What can you be most proud of so far?
We are so proud of our first album, and to be signed by Metal on Metal records, which is the best fitting label for our music!
What was your biggest regret?
We were supposed to play in Mena Rock festival in Tunisia but for some reasons the fest has been cancelled. This was big frustration, but maybe we will be able to perform in this festival as soon as it is officially rescheduled.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
As said before, we have only two years of existence, spending this time composing and rehearsing the album. We didn’t have the opportunity to play live yet. But some plans are on the way!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I’m really surprised and happy to see that there are still kids who are making music, who want to practice some real instruments and create music, despite the music business’ collapse.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Actually I listen to old Running Wild albums (»Port Royal« and »Death Or Glory«), the Dio era from Black Sabbath, Opeth death era, and the extended soundtrack of »Conan The Barbarian« 😉
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Tempo is everything. Be fuckin’ tight!
What are your guilty pleasures?
Talisker Skye!
Can you say something more about the music scene in Belfort / North-East France?
Here the scene is pretty active and dynamic, with a lot of metal/rock bands…
This said, all is not bright, the little structures are struggling against mainstream/state corporations and the little/middle clubs are closing one by one.
Soon there will be no more space for little local bands to play anywhere (aside from the bars where people just want to hear some cover songs).
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
As said, some plans are on the way but it’s a bit too soon to talk about it.
We also plan to do a release party for the album in Belfort area. The sure thing is that there will be some live concert from Solstitium!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Making concerts, and to record a worthy successor to »Morgoth«.
How can people best support your band?
The best way is to buy our music on Metal On Metal Bandcamp site (physical or digital copy) and of course to come to our concerts when there will be!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Since the release of the album on all platforms, we receive so much enthusiastic feedbacks! Almost 3K views for »The Cimmerian« video in one month, and we crossed 8600 k listeners in 3 weeks on Spotify… The reception of our album is awesome! Many thanks to everybody who supports us!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well