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Send in the dogs! An interview with Amy Lee Carlson from Sölicitör


The speed metal renaissance rages on with Sölicitör. These Seattle warriors shred a highly volatile combination of thrash metal with early eighties influences. Think about Testmanet's first two records if they were fronted by Doro Pesch. I highly recommend Sölicitör's self-titled EP for four tracks of metal thrashing madness.

 I also respect these heathens for their design sense. They selected the name "Sölicitör" because a single word logo would stick out better on a tee shirt or CD in big, pointy letters, according to their press bio.

Be on the look out for Sölicitör's debut full length coming via Gates Of Hell Records in 2020. Residents of Philadelphia can also witness Sölicitör at the Street Metal Massacre festival on Saturday, October 19 at the Ukie Club.

Until then, below is an email interview I conducted with Amy Lee Carlson, vocalist of Sölicitör

 Hell-O Amy! I thoroughly enjoyed your new EP. What was the driving force behind? 
Matt and I were aware that we needed to produce some material within the first few months of starting this project, coming right off the heels of our previous band, Substratum. We took advantage of that momentum and assembled some really keen musicians who were also hungry for something meaner and leaner than anything any of us had done before.

How do you describe your band? 
We've called ourselves "speed metal" - our influences include heavy doses of Liege Lord, Mercyful Fate, Chastain, Megadeth and Painkiller era Judas Priest.
We are sharp and violent with calibrated precision. We're not a throwback.

What's your favorite song from the EP? 
"Speed Tyrant" - it's definitely an ode to all things fast, to all the Night Riders out there.



What do you consider to be the heaviest riff of all time?

Ooh that's a tough call. "Dig Me No Grave" by Manilla Road gets me every time - but I might have to go with "Skullcrusher" by Overkill.

Tell me about one album that changed your life forever? Why?
Only one? You're killing me. It's gotta be Ace of Spades. I saw Mötörhead and The Dwarves with Zeke as a teenager and that sealed the deal - harder, faster, louder!

Favorite movie?
At the moment, it's a tie between Terminator and Willow.

Do you have any heavy metal hearthrobs?
The Boys in Roadrash, of course!
I really dig that speed metal is still represented in 2019. Why do you think this style of music still rings true all these years later?
I think it's a great crossover genre. You could argue all thrash metal bands are speed metal - but not all speed metal bands are thrash. Even some d-beat raw punk stuff could be considered speed metal - but it seems to swallow up anything that's got that neck wrecking drive we all crave. Some classic examples for me of course are Priest, Liege Lord, Riot, Exciter - all the Banzai stuff (duh) Death Angel, Thrust, Morbid Saint and a good portion of the old Metal Blade/Combat catalogs.

What else is on the horizon for your band that we should be excited about? 

Our debut full length is slated to release through Gates of Hell Records early 2020, on or around our upcoming appearance at Germany's Keep It True Festival at the end of April, and some tours are in the works.

What's one of your favorite concert memories?
I'd have to say seeing Leather Leone for the first time in Chicago at the last Ragnarokkr fest (now known as Legions of Metal) and singing along to every single word.

Name one underground band you like to show your friends that you know will blow their mind?
Velvet Viper, fronted by Jutta Weinhold who would later form Zed Yago. Unbelievable German STEEL.

Thanks Amy for going one on one with the GRIM-1. I'm excited to see how Sölicitör speeds into the future with their new full length. 

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