Srefa - Solstice

Srefa is Tel Aviv, Israel based black metal band who formed in 2020.  “Solstice” is their full-length debut although they released an EP in 2022.

Srefa’s black metal is raw and violent.  Scathing vocals, pummeling drums, and a guitar/base tone laced in darkness are the elements that present themselves at first.  Speaking of bass, it is very audible  and prevalent–something I always like to notice in black metal.  

The production is, much like the music, raw but it’s all beefy—this sound is truly massive and sounds absolutely pulverizing with a decent pair of headphones.  “Solstice” is an album of surprises though and the songs don’t always go the way they seem like they should.   

The first song “Ensnared and Conquered” is somewhat straight forward but the bass, as mentioned earlier, stands out well among the riffs.  The song is fast but not overly and many of the riffs hang back a bit in moments to let the bleak atmosphere saturated into its essence.  

This is an album that doesn’t reveal itself for several listens—it takes time to soak up the music and elements that were missed the first time will reveal themselves later.  I love albums like this–and this one has an endless depth that was fun, if frightening, to dive into. 

“The Unyielding Fear,” is one such example.  Unyielding, indeed—the song just doesn’t quit.  It’s basically a hurricane of primal force, its winds eviscerating. But after a couple listens, the melodic tinges from the bass surface and bring the music into a new dimension. The guitars shift in a very subtle manner, changing themselves at the last seconds while still retaining some of their old heritage only to embrace new avenues.  

The album is atmospheric when called upon, but again, it's more of a subtle effect like a miasma spreading its death.  The opening moments to “Misdiagonsis,” is a prime example of this effect.  The song unfurls like the slow approach of a dead winter, bringing with it an icy touch and the promise of death.  Small little details arranged as to what amounts of melody for this band incorporate themselves into the song’s mid portion as it grows darker, riffs rising up as start towers among the gray skies.

The final song is “The Chase,” and immediately sets itself apart with an ambient opening, lead only by the bass and keys.  Like a pebble gaining momentum as it falls, the song adds layers and speed until it bursts forth to the other side. After the 4:30 mark, some of the album’s best riffs arrive with just the barest hint of groove to finish the song, and album, out strongly.

Srefa’s “Solstice,” is a harrowing and caustic journey through blackened realms, unknown and strange yet familiar with the underground tones of the genre.