Single Review: Solarcycles – Rhythm of the Sun for #METALMOMENTUM

Band: Solarcycles
Title: Rhythm of the Sun (single)
Label: Independent
Release Date: May 2nd, 2025
Country: Netherlands
Format Reviewed: High Quality Digital Recording

Single Review: Solarcycles – Rhythm of the Sun: From Ashes to Sun, or The Last Day of Pain for #METALMOMENTUM by Elyna

“A raw and heartfelt dive into Solarcycles’ “Rhythm of the Sun” — a symphonic folk metal anthem about breaking chains, reclaiming identity, and dancing into healing under the sun. An honest reflection on pain, liberation, and the power of authentic music.” 

Welcome to a new edition of Metal Momentum, the sacred space for revisiting the latest singles from the realms of metal. Today we delve into the latest release from a surprising symphonic folk metal band from the Netherlands: Solarcycles and “Rhythm of the Sun.”

Composed of Sascha van der Meer (vocals, bass guitar), Iwan IJsbrandij (guitars), Ralf IJsbrandij (drums), Silvana Jirka (violin), and Frank Timmerman (keyboards), Solarcycles began their career in 2015. In 2017, they debuted with the EP “Ethereal Storms.” Then, in 2023, they released their debut album, “Lunar,” which was awarded Best Folk Metal Album of 2023 by Folk N Rock Magazine. This debut album contains the three previously released singles: “Raven’s Call,” “Immeasurable Fog,” and “Grows Then Dies.” And a few weeks ago, on May 2nd to be precise, the band released their latest production called “Rhythm of the Sun”.

A relevant aspect of Solarcycles is that both their debut album, “Lunar,” and “Rhythm of the Sun,” were released independently. This has allowed them to master their own sound, message, and aesthetic in a raw and true-to-life way, reinforcing their identity within the symphonic and folk metal scene.

Getting into our review, the single “Rhythm of the Sun” is an ideal starting point for getting to know Solarcycles’ music. I personally hadn’t heard them before, but after playing several random songs, this single appeared. The first thing that caught my attention was their goth metal sound echoing Evanescence, a band I’m not a fan of but whose music I generally enjoy. But after three repeat plays—yes, the first filter passed—I noticed that Solarcycles had several layers to their sound.

Despite their label, the band isn’t the traditional folk sound one might be familiar with from bands like Ensiferum, Korpiklaani, or Finntroll. Their sound incorporates many atmospheric, mystical, and melodic elements reminiscent of pagan folk. But their essence leans more toward the symphonic, emotional, and ethereal, which differs from their traditional folk roots. The violin sound, along with their focus on nature and melancholic tone, brings them closer to more spiritual folk. However, they do not incorporate classic folk rhythms or traditional instruments from the genre.

In addition to this, Solarcycles also has sounds reminiscent of the gothic metal of Evanescence—which was the first thing I noticed and was drawn to in “Rhythm of the Sun”—, and also the deep symphonic metal of Épica and Within Temptation. In short, Solarcycles is a beautiful, balanced fusion of symphonic, atmospheric metal, and esoteric folk, in the style of Leaves’ Eyes, Dark Sarah, and Myrkur, although the range of fans may be much broader.

As for the lyrics, to a certain extent, they speak of masks. Those masks people expect you to wear in order to fit into the canons established by society. Whether in interpersonal relationships or regarding the role we play in the prevailing society, the narrative expresses the heartbreaking yet liberating process of those who decide to break away from harmful, abusive, or oppressive relationships or situations where they have been required to silence their voice and their essence to fit into impossible expectations. Through questions that reflect submission, silence, and the loss of self-identity, the narrative expresses the chronic fatigue of the imposition of social roles, ideas, and beliefs that result in emotional control and manipulation of one’s true self. That feeling of “having to fit in to be accepted” causes profound pain and disconnection from one’s essence. Until one day, the oppressed, the suffering, decide to put an end to that toxic dynamic, gather the few pieces of identity they have left, and decide to courageously rebuild themselves, far from the pain of expectation, abuse, and external validation, “dancing to the rhythm of the sun.”

This imagery hit hard. As a late-diagnosed autistic woman, I realized that throughout my life I’d been burdened with masks, expectations, and roles of what I “should be,” without fully understanding those masks were the origins of chronic emotional pain in the form of various mental disorders, unconsciously aiming to be accepted, understood, included, and appreciated. But how liberating it is when you decide to stop pleasing, to stop fulfilling expectations that don’t respect your individuality. You simply pick yourself up, pick up your pieces, and walk away so you can rebuild. And what better way to do so than under the warm rays of the sun, a source of life, energy, and hope.

Musically, “Rhythm of the Sun” initially seems like a goth ballad with folk overtones. But beyond the labels we want to give it, the single is emotional, powerful, and straight to the core. Structured in a steady slow tempo and 4/4 time signature, the track kicks off with dramatic riffs, a melancholic violin, and subtle orchestration that integrates the elements, balancing everything.

The first verses revealed Sascha’s deep voice, whose powerful and dark timbre heightens the sense of denunciation, tiredness, heartbreak, and yearning for freedom. Sascha doesn’t just sing; she interprets, lives, and suffers with every line she sings. I was surprised by her performance. She doesn’t need too many embellishments or vocal arrangements. Simply with her vibrato and dark timbre, Sascha moves, convinces, conveys the message, and makes you a part of it. Because it’s not just about having a powerful voice like Amy Lee or a sweet one like Liv Christine, both amazing singers by the way. It’s also about feeling, conveying what you’re singing, and making the listener a part of that story. Otherwise, your voice may turn into a pretty background noise without content or significance. And in this sense, Sascha truly surprised me. 

The rhythmic and melodic foundation is catchy, fluid, and powerful, thanks to the powerful and dynamic drum rolls, the imposing bass that pounds hard, the riveting violin, and the sharp guitars that process alongside Sascha in the melodic line. Thus, the track transforms into a sonic ritual, a perfect soundtrack to accompany those going through the Dark Night of the Soul, where everything we are not falls away, where deep pain is transformed into creative and liberating force, mental limitations and fears are left behind, and peace is found after the storm.

All in all, Solarcycles’ “Rhythm of the Sun” isn’t just a single: it’s a mirror, a cry, a torch for those who decide to break the chains and emerge from the darkness into their own light. Musically, it not only continues the legacy of “Lunar,” positioning Solarcycles as one of the young bands that every lover of symphonic, melodic, and folk metal should have. 

It’s also an example of what can be achieved when you don’t lose your own identity and compositional essence. That’s the “good thing” about not being under a record label. There are no limits to creation beyond what the artist wants to show. 

And it’s also an example that it doesn’t take much to make songs that transcend time, songs that transform into anthems of struggle and awareness, into cries of pain and hope. Hell no! You don’t need to saturate a track with presets and excessive embellishments. Because when music speaks, when the spirit flows and the message is clear, a folk ballad can say much more than a symphony orchestra full of instruments.

In the end, what remains and transcends is the authenticity that resonates, the artist’s connection to their music, and from there they can reach their “tribe”—and Solarcycles, with “Rhythm of the Sun,” delivers it in spades. 9.5 /10

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