From Bandcamp, “The philosophical concept of "Solastalgia" can best be described as a form of emotional or existential distress caused by negatively perceived environmental change. The German purveyors of soaring post metal work their way to their innermost core and deliver what is easily their most vulnerable and accessible record to date. "Solastalgia” describes the grief over the loss of the natural world, the environment and our concept of home," the band explains. The very existence of such a term brutally exposes our alienation from this planet – easy prey for these uncompromising analysts of human misery. HERETOIR has always been pure emotion. The pain of modern life set to music. And yet the desperate beauty of "Solastalgia" proves to be an unlikely source of comfort.”

The album has eleven songs, and “The Ashen Falls” is first. The sound out of the gate is thick, rich, and toned with somber leanings…it almost sounds like something you might hear if the world is coming to an end. The vocals are sometimes harsh, other times clean, but always vital, and the gentle passage at the end is no less impactful. “Season of Grief” features smoother tones, but that feeling of melancholy still stains you deeply. The vocals here are so expressive, so emotional, and they tug at your heart. The harsh vocals however cut like a serrated blade, and the wound is deep. “You Are the Night” is a firm and hardened offering with plenty of solemn tones, and the clean vocals soar high in the chorus. The use of both styles keeps the music fresh from my perspective.

“Inertia” is another dreadfully honest sound, and the band leaves it all just hanging out there for the taking. Piano notes combine with distorted guitars and harsh vocals that could shred even the best of us to bits. “Rain” is a short pause of gorgeous piano notes and backing strings, and the weighted, burdensome feeling that you had from the first few songs grows even deeper. “Dreamgatherer” reaches for an inner strength and shoots forth a burst of light and hope into the dull, grey landscape. It looks to be fragile, but is in fact very firm. It’s moments like these that make the more depressing songs palatable; although it still brings a cold rain with it at times. “The Heart of December” is gentle, yearning, and even grief-filled at times. Consider the context of the song title…deep in December brings up death for me.

“Burial” reminds you of the sheer power of darkness. The harsh vocals are brutally honest, and although there are melodies in the cleans, they don’t steal much of the band’s thunder here. The title track begins with clean, solemn tones that are so emotionally poignant and weighted, they threaten to crush the life out of you. It feels like a wave of grief that no matter how hard you try, keep coming, and stronger each time. “The Same Hell (MMXXV)” is a shorter song with an absolutely gorgeous melody, and you forget about the pain while it passes. “Metaphor” is the final song…an IN FLAMES cover. It’s a song that alienated some long time fans with its clean, somber tones, and what a fitting cover. Their take is even gentler, and more poignant than the original.

This album looms, building its monolithic soundscapes with patience, tension, and purpose. It’s a towering testament to the genre, reminds us that heaviness isn’t just about distortion or speed…it’s about atmosphere, intent, and emotional gravity. For those willing to surrender to its slow, deliberate pull, the reward is profound…a visceral, cathartic experience that leaves you feeling drained and full at once. The album proves that post-metal is an emotional process, carved in distortion and silence, weight and restraint.