Interview Solitary

In this interview, Solitary frontman Rich Sherrington delves into the intense themes and innovative elements of their upcoming album, "Embrace The Darkness."

1. Congratulations on the upcoming release of "Embrace The Darkness"! How does this album differ from your previous works in terms of musical style and thematic content?

Thanks. On the whole I don’t think it’s massively different musically than our previous albums; that said we do have strings and choirs on the 3rd verse of the title track and we’ve not done that before. The songs are all pretty intense in their own way - be it musically or the lyrical themes. I have stuck to my usual approach to the lyrics just making sure that I narrate the story in a way that’s interesting and thought provoking.

2. The album opener ‘III.XXIII.MMXX’ reflects on the days of lockdown. Can you elaborate on how the pandemic influenced the writing and recording process of this album?

In all honesty it didn’t really influence either. We actually wrote and recorded it once it was all over, but obviously it was a unique period for the human race so it’s natural to write about certain elements or impacts. None of us are anti vax or Covid conspiracists, but I don’t think anyone will disagree with our take on the political figures in power at the time.

3. "Embrace The Darkness" tackles some heavy themes such as abuse and societal decay. What motivated you to explore these issues through your music, and how do you hope listeners will respond?

I think the album title really encapsulates the 2020s to date; these are sinister times where abhorrent behaviour seems to be popular within certain aspects of society.  I suppose this has always been the case but it’s more prominent and visible due to reach of social media. I hope to god that no one can relate to the themes though - and if they do they have to find the help they need.

4. The song ‘Settle Scores The Old Way’ showcases ultra aggression. Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind this track and its significance in the album?

It was actually the last track we finished in terms of music and at that point it was one of those “Yeah we think it will do” things. When Andy tracked the guitars we felt something was missing from the intro so added the lead part and it really enhanced it. Lyrically it’s about unlicensed bare knuckle boxing and the fact that over the years the best way to resolve things was via a 'straightener' and not much has changed in certain circles.

5. Working with producer Simon Efemey again must have been an exciting experience. What did he bring to the production of this album that helped shape its sound?

Yeah it’s always good fun having Simon involved and this time around he’s been much more hands on than he was with The Diseased Heart of Society and The Truth Behind The Lies.  Simon actually stayed at my house when we tracked the drums, so we had the opportunity for face to face pre production rather than remote as we’d done on the previous albums. We recorded the drums in Jan 2023 and because of schedules and a variety of other factors,  I had ten months to prepare to record the vocals.  We also used a different studio for the mix which has different gear to Foel which gives the album a different sound.

6. Koot's artwork for "Embrace The Darkness" is striking. How did the collaboration with him come about, and what was the vision behind the album cover?

Like with Simon it’s the third time we’ve used Koot’s talents. The lyrics of the title track inspired the design and I think Koot has really captured the fact  that the demon of eating disorders professes to be beautiful in the sufferer’s mind as the body wastes away.

7. The tracks ‘The Disappeared’ and ‘Section 21’ are described as having absolute savagery and incendiary energy. What was the creative process behind these songs, and how do they contribute to the album’s overall impact?

We wanted to write a shorter song, similar to 'Unidentified' on The Diseased Heart Of Society, so we just used that template of keeping things simple and didn’t bother with a middle 8 and the end result was 'The Disappeared'. 'Section 21' is more involved but has a similar impact. It’s definitely going to be good to play live. It’s not for me to say how they contribute to the impact - that will be down to the listener I suppose.

8. The album finishes with ‘Filtering Hindsight’, a critique of post-Brexit and post-COVID society. How do you see your music as a form of social commentary, and what message do you hope to convey with this track?

It’s really all about the UK during Covid and the shocking behaviour of the people in power. The furlough schemes were essential for many, but as with everything they were exploited by people without any consideration of the future impact.

9. With 30 years in the music industry, how has Solitary’s approach to songwriting and performance evolved over the years, and what lessons have you learned along the way?

A lot has changed over three decades but who would have foreseen the return of Vinyl! We obviously use more technology now; gone are the days of hours in a rehearsal unit trying to conjure up ideas. But I think so much more is expected of you business wise that you no longer have the time to spend taking that approach anyway - you have social media to manage and all the other things that entails. I'd say what we’ve learnt is to be grounded and happy in the moment, to have ambition but don’t let it spoil what you have today.

10. You’ve included exclusive physical format tracks like ‘Divided And Demented’ on the vinyl and a cover of The Exploited’s ‘Beat The Bastards’ on the CD. What was the decision process behind these additions, and how do they enhance the album experience?

Ideally it means that people who buy the physical products get rewarded with an extra song, versus the people who listen on the streaming platforms. As good and convenient as that format of music is, a physical sale will always do more for the band financially.

11. For fans who are eagerly awaiting your live performances, what can they expect from a Solitary show in support of "Embrace The Darkness"? 

I suppose really what we’ve always attempted to deliver - a slick show with songs that work well together. We’re playing quite a chunk of the new album and we’ve also dragged out 'Bitterness' off Nothing Changes which we’ve not played since the '90s.

12. Looking ahead, what are Solitary’s plans for the future after the release of "Embrace The Darkness"? Are there any upcoming projects or tours that fans should be excited about

We need to get through the first set of dates really. We’re discussing 2025 but as yet there’s nothing firmed up. We will definitely be heading out to Europe again as we’ve not had the time this year, hopefully we’ll make the right impression with this album and it will mean we can spend a couple of years touring it.

 SOLITARY – UK Thrash Metal Band

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