Solace – Fading Failing Ruin

by Mark 'Yeti' Richard · July 28, 2026

Solace is a heavy stoner/ doom metal band originating in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The band formed in 1996 and the current lineup consists of Justin Daniels on guitars, Tim Schoenleber on drums, Mike Sicaon on bass, Justin Goins on vocals, and original founding member, Tommy Southard on guitars. Their list of recordings includes: 1999’s Jersey Devils (Split with Solarized), 2000’s Further, 2003’s 13, 2004’s Blackmarket/ Hammerhead Split with Greatdayforup, 2007’s The Black Black, 2010’s AD, 2017’s Bird Of Ill Omen 7”, and 2019’s The Brink. The quintet just released their long-awaited latest album entitled Fading Failing Ruin on July 3rd 2026. It was released on Magnetic Eye Records and contains nine tracks over one hour long.

Solace has been a favorite band of mine since the 2000’s. I have always felt that they were grossly underrated and should have been a top tier band from the start. I ranked their top five albums at the time here. My order would be different now because things change. Clusters of bad luck and displaced band members have plagued the band since the beginning but one thing that is certain, when a new album comes out, it is always a banger! Original vocalist Jason passed away last year and Solace released the Further 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition (review here), which was a tribute and a celebration to the early works of the band. I was skeptical about Justin replacing Jason way back when but he silenced me quickly with his amazing work on The Brink. This latest release, Falling Failing Ruin is the band’s first batch of new material in over six years. My fascination and enthusiasm for Solace is huge! To me, they write some of the best music in the heavy underground genre. Every track is an epic audio adventure that takes the listener on a sonic expedition through the space and time and beyond. Fading Failing Ruin is another great example of the band producing yet another masterpiece recording.

Once the beginning notes of “Spiral Will” strike, it’s game on! The heavy guitar driven riff rock is back, with a vengeance! Vocalist Justin Goins wastes no time expressing his amazing voice as the song connects in a straight head steamroll. Fuzzy guitar riffs and copious amounts of leads and harmonies are plentiful on this record, as “Fettered To A Stone” continues the metal onslaught. Solace has a smooth flow on this one and Justin’s vocals are excellent and explores different ranges and tones. The rhythm section of drummer Tim Schoenleber and bassist Mike Sicaon are really tight and solid throughout the whole record. The fantastic dual guitar annihilation of Tommy Southard and Justin Daniels is exceptional as its always been.

The third track entitled “A God Changes His Plans” is a banger! It crushes with crunchy and metallic tones of groove and aggression. The pummeling riffs and hammering rhythms are adjoined with soaring and powerful vocals. It doesn’t let up at all, but when the song does abruptly end, it sets up the slow and low methodical buildup of the next number called “Wrath’s Object (The Big Fall)”. This massive, almost fifteen minute opus has a six and a half minute mellow build up that crescendos in volume and instrumentation. Finally, it kicks in and doesn’t disappoint! This song is a masterfully crafted piece of musical art and augments all the strengths of this incredible band. The heavy guitar accents and electrifying leads are all trademark Solace and this song has all of it. Justin’s vocal contributions to this band are so beautiful and fitting. I never believed anyone could replace Jason but damn, Goins is equally amazing!

“Culling The Herd” hits it fast and aggressive! Storming hardcore and thrashy rhythms and more angst in Justin’s voice. It’s the shortest track on the record, just under three minutes and it strikes hard and direct. The next song was a single before the release, called “Beyond Below”. This is an absolutely incredible Solace song! The flow and style showcases the excellent musicianship and sound of this legendary band. Right at the two and a half minute mark, they even break out a classic Slayer riff and incorporate it as one of their own.

The next track, “Malengine (The Scaffold)” is probably the most diverse in terms of directly sounding like Solace, at least in the beginning of the song. It has a dark and melancholy twist to the music and the vocals and lyrics are pretty deep also. It’s a very good song that is placed perfectly in the mix amongst the track listing. “Every Day Is A Loaded Gun” has a hardcore edge with a metal grit as it begins. The song is another classic example of how awesome this band is. The track progresses into a surge of psychedelic bliss with powerful leads firing off into some majestic clean and acoustic guitars, before storming back into the menacing rhythms from the start.

The final track on this masterpiece album is called “Ridden”. The ten and a half minute monolithic monster is a fantastic closer. The hard edge riffs and glorious melodies are in perfect sync and Solace really leaves me craving more, despite this album being over an hour long. Easily in the top running for album of the year with a flawless execution from the band. I am really thinking that Fading Failing Ruin will catapult the band’s status to the very top, where it surely belongs. Solace is magic to my ears and I am so grateful that they are back doing what they do, better than most.