Prophecy by Solstice

Prophecy, Solstice's 2013 masterpiece, here in the Steven Wilson Remix version, which includes three bonus tracks.

Even though Solstice's albums are all top-notch, this was, for me, their best until a few months ago, when Clann came out, their most recent album, which we've already discussed and which is one of the best of 2025. The competition is fierce, but Prophecy remains in my heart as my favorite; further listening may change that.

The three bonus tracks are good, but Wilson can't work miracles compared to the original tape versions. I won't mention them in the track-by-track listing, as the original album tracks certainly carry the entire weight of the album, and I'll leave them for a future post on the album from which they actually come, Silent Dance.

The original album is a true masterpiece, five nonstop tracks, just under an hour in total.

- The opening track, "Eyes of Fire," begins with a melodic mood and gradually grows in complexity. The rhythmic basis is that of a modernized Indian dance, with typical North American folk, and it offers a splendid guitar solo. The backing vocals and vocals are exceptional.

- "Keepers of the Truth" is a very compelling, emotional song with a typical progressive feel. Here too, the backing vocals and vocals take center stage, with Emma Brown's lead vocals surrounded by male backing vocals. Andy Glass is spectacular on electric guitar, and the violin parts are beautiful.

- "Warriors" takes up the entire B-side, clocking in at over 17 minutes. It's a true Indian dance, with sounds that evoke the group dancing around a fire, a dance of war or rebellion. The rhythmic foundation is wonderful, but all the instruments are rhythmic, including the guitar in the first part of the song. This then shifts into a progressive mood, syncopated and full of counter-tempos and a more assertive rock sound, with a distorted guitar and truly compelling keyboards. There's room for funk at times. The male backing vocals are musical instruments. The drums and guitar are excellent. The female voice comes in with a melancholic and passionate chant that then gives way to a 100% prog moment where the folk element completely disappears and we immerse ourselves in a keyboard solo supported by a super-precise drum and bass foundation. The rhythm of the Indian dance isn't lost, but it's enriched until it's lost in complexity. The second part is based on a fantastic violin and keyboard sequence, with the vocals and backing vocals shifting the emphasis to the melody. A beautiful, engaging, and emotional atmosphere. A masterpiece.

- "West Wind" begins with a beautiful acoustic guitar arpeggio, followed by light keyboards, followed immediately by the wonderful vocals. A slow and atmospheric piece, melancholic and romantic. Emotional. It awakens the most hidden thoughts, and when the vocals become a chorus and the violin enters, it becomes a splendid rock, with strident keyboards and a guitar just distorted enough, a spectacular and precise bass. Choruses that become shouts, an overall progressive growth. A spectacular violin solo and a drum groove that becomes denser and more complex. An excellent orchestral work. A piece that also presents itself as a masterpiece of composition, execution, and interpretation. Here too, a spectacular guitar solo.

- "Blackwater" also begins with arpeggios, this time on electric guitar, establishing a climate of tension upon which the violin and the splendid drums, in a beautiful solo based on this foundation, begin to sketch complex themes until a passage with an oriental mood arrives to give density to the piece. The electric guitar then takes center stage, continuing this theme, but quickly shifting into a pressing rhythm, with an almost Celtic violin riff that continues for a few beautiful bars until the piano enters the scene, where Emma Brown delivers a powerful, characteristic rendition of the song, but with an unusually aggressive edge for this band, masterfully executed on the beautiful piano. This tense and pressing mood continues, allowing the guitar to truly shine, enriching the song. The song then slows down, as does the vocals, which punctuate the lyrics and lengthen the verses, breaking them up. The band follows suit, changing the atmosphere, creating breadth and breadth, completely shifting the emotional register. There's time for a more jazzy moment with the light vocals in the background until the end of the song... magnificent.

The artwork is beautiful, with comic-style illustrations by Marvel artist Barry Kitson. In addition to the magnificent cover, the booklet is equally beautiful, with all the photos included among the images.

The big difference between Prophecy and Clann is the overall atmosphere. Clann seems like a song of thanksgiving to life, an album full of hope, very sunny. Prophecy is more serious, more melancholic, perhaps more serious, more denunciatory and protestative at times, with aggressive moments that are unusual for this band.

Two different phases of a journey, and it's wonderful that the brighter one comes after the darker and more melancholic one. Two parts of a whole that make you think back to their discography, to their last four splendid albums: you can sense a path heading in this direction, and in a cynical and disappointed (or disappointing) world, a positive path is needed, without ever forgetting where you come from.

A huge album that I definitely recommend to everyone, without exception.

Tracklist

1. Eyes of Fire (8:52)
2. Keepers of the Truth (8:14)
3. Warriors (5.33pm)
4. West Wind (11:05)
5. Blackwater (10:52)

Bonus tracks:
6. Find Yourself (6:15)
7. Return of Spring (7:24)
8. Earthsong (6:32)
Total duration 76:47

Line-Up
- Emma Brown - vocals (1-5)
- Andy Glass - guitars, vocals
- Steve McDaniel - keyboards and vocals (1-5)
- Jenny Newman - violin (1-5)
- Robin Phillips - bass (1-5)
- Pete Hemsley - drums (1-5)
With:
- Johnny McGuire - additional vocals (1-5)
- Sandy Leigh - vocals (6-8)
- Marc Elton - violin and vocals (6-8)
- Mark Hawkins - bass (6-8)
- Martin Wright - drums (6-8)