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Solace (band)

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Solace (band), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025
Solace
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1996
Headquarters
Asbury Park, New Jersey
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, singles

Solace is a stoner metal group originating from Asbury Park, New Jersey, established in 1996 by former members of the Atlantic Records act Godspeed. The band has produced four full-length studio albums to date. Their third release, A.D., was honored as the "2010 Metal Album of the Year" by iTunes.com.

Formation and early years

After departing from the metal band Godspeed, Tommy Southard and Rob Hultz reassembled in 1996, recruiting former Glueneck vocalist Jason to form Solace. Following a 1997 demo, they debuted with a self-titled 7-inch record in 1998 and followed up with the 1999 split EP Distanced from Reality alongside fellow New Jersey band Solarized.

Their first full-length album, Further (2000), featured cover art by renowned metal artist Wes Benscoter and marked a stylistic evolution that distanced them from the stoner rock genre label previously associated with their sound.

Progression with 13 and subsequent releases

Solace unveiled their sophomore album 13 in 2003, adorned with artwork by Paul Vismara. This record further expanded their musical identity beyond stoner rock boundaries and included contributions from doom metal legend Scott Weinrich, who provided vocals and guitar on the track "Common Cause". Notably, their song "Indolence" was featured on the soundtrack of the popular video game Tony Hawk's Underground. During this period, lineup changes brought drummer Kenny Lund onboard while guitarist Justin Daniels joined the ensemble.

In 2004, they collaborated on the split EP Black Market/Hammerhead with Albany-based Greatdayforup; Solace’s portion was reissued on vinyl in 2006. That same year, they performed at Holland’s Roadburn Festival and worked on their third album A.D.. Due to its extensive length, four tracks were released separately as The Black Black to coincide with their 2007 European tour supporting British doom outfit Orange Goblin.

Post-tour, Solace signed with independent label Small Stone Records. They also took part in Orange Goblin’s Christmas event in London, where Ed Mundell of Monster Magnet joined them onstage for a rendition of Pentagram’s "Forever My Queen".

In 2008, drummer Kenny Lund left to focus on business ventures, prompting the return of original drummer Keith Ackerman. Guitarist Justin Daniels has described this lineup as the band's most energetic and versatile to date.

Harnessing this renewed vigor, Solace completed their third studio album A.D., which was released in spring 2010 to widespread critical praise. It received "Album of the Year" honors from The Obelisk and was recognized by iTunes as the "Best Metal Album of 2010". The band toured Europe alongside Orange Goblin and closed out the year by performing again at their annual Christmas show.

Ongoing challenges

Throughout their existence, Solace encountered numerous obstacles. Between 1996 and 2003, they cycled through approximately eight different drummers and experienced splits with vocalist Jason. Additionally, they faced setbacks such as the loss of original master tapes for their second album 13.

While these difficulties lessened somewhat after 2003, adversity returned in 2004 when drummer Kenny Lund was diagnosed with cancer, causing all activities—including a recording deal with independent label Century Media—to be put on hold. Following Lund’s recuperation, work on A.D. resumed in 2005; however, undisclosed personal matters forced cancellation of a planned US tour later that year.

Solace continued intermittent progress on A.D. until its critically acclaimed release in 2010 but announced via Facebook in June 2011 that they were "closed for business" with an uncertain outlook. Nevertheless, by 2012, indications emerged that the band had resumed activity.

Solace today

In 2015, Solace revamped their lineup, most notably substituting vocalist Jason with Justin Goins from The Brimstones. They returned to the studio for the first time in over five years to record a rendition of Black Sabbath's "Electric Funeral" for Deadline Music's Sweet Leaf: A Tribute to Black Sabbath. Soon after, they issued a cassette single featuring this cover alongside a fresh original composition titled "Bird of Ill Omen," which received acclaim for its powerful intensity and dynamic rhythm.

By 2018, Solace began crafting their first full-length album since 2010's A.D., initially named Broken Bodies & Suffering Spirits. The project was finalized in 2019 under the new title The Brink, pending final mixing. This album was officially released in December 2019 through Blues Funeral Recordings.

Musical style

Solace is chiefly identified within the stoner rock and metal genres, although founding guitarist Tommy Southard stresses that the band is fundamentally a rock 'n' roll outfit with foundations in hard rock and metal. Their appearances at stoner rock events such as America's Emissions from the Monolith and Europe's Roadburn Festival have reinforced their ties to that musical community. According to Decibel, their sound blends stoner doom elements with influences from the new wave of British heavy metal.

Current members

  • Tommy Southard – guitar (previously with Prunella Scales, Slap Rocket, Godspeed, Social Decay, Sugartooth, 3 Input Woman)
  • Justin Daniels – guitar
  • Justin Goins – vocals, keyboards (formerly The Brimstones)
  • Tim Schoenleber – drums (ex-Godspeed & Social Decay)
  • Mike Sica – bass (currently Johnny Pipe)

Former members

  • Rob Hultz – bass (previously Godspeed, Lethal Aggression; currently part of Trouble)
  • Jason – vocals (ex-Glueneck) (deceased 2025)
  • Kenny Lund – drums (formerly Lethal Aggression, Hate Wagon)
  • John Proveaux – drums (formerly Oblivion)
  • Bill Belford – drums (formerly Tow)
  • Matt Gunvordahl – drums (ex-Hogan's Heroes)
  • Duane Hutter – bass (formerly Black Nasa; currently with 40 Pound Hound)

Albums

Compilations

  • A Fist Full of Freebird (1998, Freebird Records)
  • Stone Deaf Forever (1999, Red Sun Records)
  • Judge Not (2000, Underdogma Records)
  • Doomed (2000, The Dark Reign Records)
  • Where the Bad Boys Rock (2001, People Like You Records)
  • The Mighty Desert Rock Avengers (2002, People Like You Records)
  • MeteorCity Hellacious 2002 Sampler (2002, MeteorCity)
  • Rebirth of the Heavy, Volume 2 (2004, The Music Cartel)
  • Burn the Street (2005, Daredevil Records)

Tribute compilations

Video releases

  • "Die Drunk" (2006, Ambrosia Path Productions)
  • "Cement Stitches" (2006, Ambrosia Path Productions)
  • "Hungry Mother" (2006, Ambrosia Path Productions)
  • Solace: The Videos – Volume 1 (2006, Ambrosia Path Productions)
  • Solace: Roadburn (2006, Ambrosia Path Productions)

Additional media appearances

  • The song "Indolence" from 13 featured on the soundtrack of Tony Hawk's Underground (2003, Activision)
  • "Cement Stitches" and "Rumble," both from Black Market/Hammerhead, appeared on the soundtrack for the American Skier DVD (2004, X Ski Films)
  • Various tracks included on MTV's soundtrack for the series Homewrecker
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