By Bob Makin
originally published: 07/24/2026
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is “Spiral Will,” a single and video from “Fading Falling Ruin,” the latest album from doomy Jersey Shore dirt metal greats Solace. PHOTO BY A.J. KINNEY
Seminal Jersey Shore dirt metal greats Solace recently dropped their latest album, “Fading Failing Ruin,” on Magnetic Eye Records just in time to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
“Spiral Will,” one of the nine-song LP’s singles and videos, is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Spiral Will“ also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on July 24 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin, Mixcloud and RadioJersey.
All the heaviness, experience, and obvious maturity of their songwriting across three decades is perfectly reflected in the seeming ease with which these master craftsmen hammer out one captivating and crushing track after the other on their fifth album in 30 years.
Revolving around apocalyptic, infernal, and end-time themes that easily fit this day and age, "Fading Failing Ruin" nails the current global mood by taking a strong dose of inspiration from the earliest days of metal and blending it with contemporary heaviness.
"If our previous album, 'The Brink,’ represented the last thoughts of a drowning man, then 'Fading Failing Ruin' is his spirit washing up on shore,” vocalist Justin Goins said. "This new world is foreign and alien to him, and he'll soon realize that there's no bottom to which he can sink. There's always another depth to descend once he crashes through the bedrock below. The cost of his failures in life is to be fettered to a stone by a chain at his ankle, walking in circles until the chain, winding itself around the stone, pulls him in a spiral to be crushed against the rock. The only way forward is to ascend, and the only way to ascend is to fashion wings – one feather grown from each slight and wound – until he can achieve escape velocity, breaking the chain and rising above his human failings. The freedom of wings, however, can be its own curse, threatening to turn him into a monster by setting him above what he sees as pedestrian concerns beneath him, destroying the humanity that sets him apart from the rest of the world."
Justin replaced original Solace vocalist Jason L., who had sadly passed away in January 2025. Later in the year, Solace released an extended and remastered 25th anniversary edition of their ferocious 2000 debut "Further" that became an unplanned but much deserved tribute to the brilliant yet tortured front man.
In addition to Justin, Solace consists of drummer Tim Schoenleber, bassist Mike Sica and guitarists Justin Skyler Daniels and Tommy Southard of Godspeed and Social Decay. They are joined on "Fading Failing Ruin" by slide guitarist Duane Hutter, Lowrider’s Pelle Andersson on keyboards and Eric Rachel on additional keyboards. The album was recorded by Eric at Bulletproof Music Studio in Hazlet and The Pussycat Club in Milford and mixed and mastered by him at Trax East in South River. He produced the album with the band.
“The fact that Solace are still here after 30 years makes 'Fading Failing Ruin' a real milestone for us, and I'm still in a band that I love with some of my oldest friends", Tommy said. "Timmy, our drummer, and I started our first band when he was 12 and I was 14! Soon after that, our bass player, Mike, and I founded a band playing Priest and Kiss covers. It feels kind of wild that we're still here making music we love all these years later. I couldn't be more proud of this record and all the massive work that we put into it. Both Justins did an incredible job, and I consider both brothers. It was a labor of love and I hope that translates and people enjoy it as much as we do. Now, I just want this band to continue and make more music before our time runs out."
Having recently toured Europe, Solace will perform Sept. 18 & 19 at Ripplefest Texas in Austin.
Check out “Fading Failing Ruin” on Apple Music and Spotify.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and Instagram and contact Bob at [email protected].
About the author:
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Essex County Summer Players Orchestra present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Strand Center for the Arts presents Lover Taylor - Tribute to Taylor Swift on Friday
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Swifties of all ages are invited to sing, dance and celebrate the music of one of pop's biggest superstars when Lover Taylor – Tribute to Taylor Swift comes to the Strand Center for the Arts on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.
The 2026 Sourland Mountain Fest to Take Place July 25th
(RINGOES, NJ) -- The Sourland Mountain Fest is back for its 21st year on Saturday, July 25, 2026. It promises a summer afternoon of soulful talent, tasty bites, refreshing drinks and meaningful dialogue on why the Sourland Region is so important to Central Jersey, and why it's more important than ever to protect it. Performers include Gravity Hill, The Swiss Guard, Hickory, Jake Thistle, and headliners The Harrisons and Company.
Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 8:00pm in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center.
interACT Theatre Productions presents interACT Sings: Around the World
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents interACT Sings: Around the World on July 24-25, 2026 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. This is a first-class musical journey to benefit the theatre company's 2026-27 season. A cocktail hour takes place at 6:30pm; showtime is 7:30pm.
"The Boardwalk Sessions" Aims to Change How Independent Artists are Supported at the Jersey Shore
(TINTON FALLS, NJ) -- Loudly Inclusive Media Collective will present The Boardwalk Sessions, a free, two-night live music showcase on Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 5:00pm–10:00pm at Twin Lights Brewing in Tinton Falls. More than just a concert series, The Boardwalk Sessions was created to celebrate original music while demonstrating a different model for supporting independent artists: one built on fair compensation, authentic community, and meaningful opportunities to connect with audiences.
Centenary Stage Company presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Showtime is 8:00pm.
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