Solar Eagle

Ah, here’s a treat for fans of US-Canadian power metal material, the mythical EP from the mighty SOLAR EAGLE. Long heralded as one of the Grail items among obscure Metal releases, SOLAR EAGLE’s only release (besides a single demo) was their self-titled, independently pressed EP. This recording is highly regarded not just because it used to be quite rare but also because the music is very unique and also very good. It thus created the perfect storm wherein copies occasionally used to push the $1,000 mark (but see below).

How to describe SOLAR EAGLE? The immediate comparison is to AGENT STEEL, given both bands’ penchant for spacey sci-fi lyrics, power metal stylings, and vocalists with an insanely high upper register. However, there are some notable differences. SOLAR EAGLE were not as aggressive in their songwriting; they didn’t embrace the speed metal velocity or thrash- like chops that AGENT STEEL masterfully deployed during their heyday. Instead, the tracks on this EP vary quite a bit. The galloping wallop of ‘See’ launches the EP in full 80s power metal glory. The vocal comparison to John Cyriis is unavoidable. Next, they constructed a churning, pseudo doomy vibe on ‘Dimmensional Charter’. This one features swirling, distorted guitar work and eerie riffage that conjure up echoes of early TROUBLE. The band even shifts to a slower, almost ballady pace for the beginning of closer ‘Lost Season’ before building the track into a mid-paced, anthemic tune.

Another distinction of SOLAR EAGLE is that their lyrics are much more esoteric than those of AGENT STEEL; even when reading along it’s hard to fathom just what the hell Smash (great handle that) was singing about. Just imagine if Mike Browning from NOCTURNUS had written their lyrics but only knew English as a second language. Perhaps their lyrical weirdness was inspired by fellow Canadians SACRED BLADE’s ‘Of the Sun + Moon’ and/or VOIVOD circa ‘Killing Technology’. It is possible, however, that I’m unfairly assuming every Canadian band listened to every other Canadian band in 1986-1988.

It’s a real shame that SOLAR EAGLE had such a short half-life, as both the demo and EP were released in 1988, and only the rhythm section moved on to CANDLE OPERA, who released one demo in 1992. I bet SOLAR EAGLE could have created some very interesting albums in their unique, spacey, power-prog-doom-tinged style.

Speaking of the rhythm section, what happened to those guys’ pseudonyms? You’ve got Smash and The Axe on vocals and guitar, respectively, but then you’ve got Pinocchio and Rob handling bass & drums. That’s like GWAR christening their new vocalist as Alfred or Leon. I think I know why they reverted to their real names in CANDLE OPERA….

Collector’s note: this is a good example of a record whose rarity has changed over time. In the early 2000s this was a very high-dollar rarity. However, a band member(s) released some copies into the market around 2016 (sealed copies notably started turning up in London and on Discogs around that time), so there are more available these days. The price had already dropped prior to the band’s stockpile being released due to a bootleg pressing a few years before. And, of course, the EP plus demo was reissued in recent years too (what hasn’t been?). It’s thus not hard to track down a copy of this gem in one form or another.

Der Kauf dieses Werkes war ein wahrer Glücksgriff für mich und ich werde dem Händler auch auf Ewig dankbar sein!!! Wieder richtig rar und teuer ist dieses Scheibchen! Ein Blick auf das schlicht/naive Cover, das nur den Schriftzug zeigt, läßt schon sehr viel hoffen und am Ende wird auch alles gut. SOLAR EAGLE spielen sehr technischen Powermetal mit einem sehr hohen Sänger. Halt eine richtige US Metal Sirene!!! Stilistisch erinnert mich die ganze Sache an eine Mischung aus MILITIA (aber weitaus weniger nervig!!!) und AGENT STEEL. Die Musik ist zwar nicht so schnell wie AGENT STEEL, aber weitaus mehr verfrickelt. Die 4 Songs bestechen durch unzählige Tempo- und Stimmungswechsel, mal ziemlich speedig, mal schleppend und episch. Auf jeden Fall sind die 4 Songs wirkliche Klassiker und werden nach mehrmaligem Hören richtige Ohrwürmer, auch wenn das anhand der progressiven Musik kaum vorstellbar ist. Aber so atmosphärische Songs wie "See", "Dimensional Charter" oder "Lost Season" muss man lange suchen! Ich habe mich echt tierisch gefreut, mal wieder eine uneingeschränkt geile und vor allem richtig metallische Platte erworben zu haben, die sich mit keiner anderen Band vergleichen lässt!!! SOLAR EAGLE sind schlicht und ergreifend Pflicht und der Hauptgewinn auf der sicher langen Suche nach dieser Mini LP!!!