Single Review: Solstice Rider – Provocations for #METALMOMENTUM

Band: Solstice Rider
Title: Provocations
Label: Independent
Release date: September 21, 2025
Country: USA
Format reviewed:High-quality digital recording

Single Review: Solstice Rider – Provocations for #METALMOMENTUM by Elyna

Solstice Rider’s “Provocations”: The First Insight to Armageddon and The Rebirth of Humanity.

“Provocations by Solstice Rider storms with apocalyptic power, yet sparks hope as the new generation rises to rebuild a world in chaos.” by Elyna Steel

Welcome to a new edition of Metal Momentum, the sacred space to delve into new singles from the metal realms. Today, we bring you heartwarming news: the Riders of the Solstice, led by maestro Jeremy Bluteau, are back again with a new adventure: “Provocations”, the first single from their forthcoming album “Death & Rebirth”, released one year after the jaw-dropping EP “The Renewal of Broken Blades.” 

“Provocations” is the 8th track from “Death & Rebirth”, whose tracklist was already revealed by the band on their Facebook page, standing as follows:

01. Eventide’s Greeting
02. Last of the Riders
03. The Star Well
04. Reprisal of the Sun
05. Deep Stillness (Rest for a While)
06. To Linger, To Triumph
07. The Legend of Moll Dyer
08. Provocations
09. Queen of Autumn Leaves
10. Meeting the Argent Dawn

The album’s musical and vocal lineup features João Corceiro on guitars and bass, Jeremy Bluteau on keyboards, Chris Bone on lead growl vocals, Jamie Jordan on clean male vocals, Valéria Carvalho on clean female vocals, Xinês on drums, and Rémi Bernard on the mesmerizing hammered dulcimer.

The pre-production of “Provocations”was overseen by Solstice Rider. Guitar solos were composed by Tomasz Jaskula in collaboration with Eric Juris, who also performed them. Mixing, mastering, and orchestrations were handled by Emanuel Arzumanyan, who additionally took part in the production alongside Jeremy, João, and Chris. Finally, the striking album artwork was created by the maestro Yuri Chuchmay.

Now, getting down to business today, let’s delve into “Provocations”

The story behind the lyrics places us in an apocalyptic scenario, where an empire provokes the others to finally unleash a mighty war, bringing about the dreaded Armageddon. The Riders, bearing the wounds of the world, unleash the machinery of war. Religions, ideologies, and every regime of truth seem to crumble like parchment burned by missile fire. The great deception and all the lies that sustained the status quo are revealed and seen by the people, shattering everything that once seemed safe and secure.

There is a sense of inevitability in those events. On the one hand, there is the human tendency to conflict, and on the other hand, dark forces that dominate the minds of those holding power. Invisible threads are moving and setting the stage for the ultimate war. However, amidst all the chaos, death, sorrow, and despair brought by the Riders, a new hope emerges in the young, who represent renewal and rebirth. Therefore, the youth are the ones facing the responsibility to rebuild and guide the future for the survivors. 

Thus, “Provocations” is a powerful narrative that reminds us that all it takes is someone to push the button to make the world fall. Furthermore,the song unnervingly interprets the current global scenario, with the leaders of two of the major powers locked in wars against smaller countries. This warlike zeal is a direct provocation to other countries to unleash the money-making machine they know best: war. Let’s hope that manifestos like “Provocations” will awaken us from the dream of apparent security and prevent the collapse of our world. And if not, let’s hope we’re among those survivors who will rebuild and guide the new world to a better future.

Structured in a mid-to-fast tempo and set in a steady 4/4 time signature, the first thing you will notice is balance and Swiss-watch precision when the track kicks off. Initially, it sounds as if the initial riffs were preset, but after some seconds of listening, you realize that an actual guitarist is performing fluently, clearly, and precisely when picking, riffing, and sliding. It’s Joao, who isn’t only a great bassist but also an amazing guitarist.

In this sense, the great guitar maestro Jeremy Bluteau, who composed all the guitars and solos of the album, found a distinctive sound for Solstice Rider —one that resembles Children of Bodom yet strongly stands out uniquely beyond the influences. 

The rhythm of the song gives the sensation of hordes moving along the battlefield. This effect is bolstered by fire-infused melodic, harmonic riffs and solos throughout.

In turn, Chris Bone’s growls adds an impressive tapestry of brutality and aggression to the narrative, strengthening and enhancing the message of denunciation and warning of “Provocations”.The clean vocals dueting with Chris by the end of the track give a twist to the whole in a successful interpretation that evokes the voices of millions of young people announcing the rebirth of the world, full of hope and relief after the disaster.

And closing this insight, about the sections of the track, they follow the strophic verse–chorus form, flowing naturally and inevitably like a waterfall. The transitions feel subtle and unforced. All this makes “Provocations” an accurate choice, for a debut single and future live setlist in terms of melody, rhythm and lyrics.

In a nutshell, “Provocations” is more than just a single — it is a manifesto. With Swiss-watch precision, blasting riffs, and a narrative that warns while giving hope, Solstice Rider demonstrates once again that metal is not only music, but a voice for the times we face. The track balances chaos and hope at once, reminding us that even in the face of the very Armageddon, rebirth and survival are possible.

So, if “Provocations” is the first glimpse of “Death & Rebirth”, the whole adventure promises to be nothing less than a sonic resurrection. 10/10

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