June 16th, 2021 - Hit The Grit And Pray

 

Good evening!  Your heavy metal drinking buddy the Meista here with another kick-ass pairing for ya!  Tonight I'm pairing "Pray", the wonderfully aggressive sophomore album by Florida death metal/thrash metal band Solstice and a crisp and juicy Hit the Grit IPA from the fine folks at Ogden River Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Solstice
• Title: "Pray"
• Recorded: 1995 at The Studio in Miami, Florida
• Release date: 1995 (2nd full-length studio album by Solstice) / remixed in 2011 by Dennis Munoz and rereleased in 2012
• Record company: Steamhammer (original) / Thrash Corner Records (2012 remix)
• Production: Solstice
• Album cover art: Bruce Pennington (art) and Kelly Ross (logo)
• Personnel: Alex Marquez (drums), Dennis Munoz (guitars), Christian Rudes (guitars and vocals), and Garret Scott (bass)
• Musical style: Death metal, thrash metal
• Sound: Combining thrash rhythms with death metal phrases, the tracks on "Pray" are an amalgamation of unbridled aggression!  The approach finds the band laying down heavy blast and stomping beats, atonal fretting leads, and fiery staccato jabs... a wonderful blend of early '80s thrash and early '90s death!
• Major themes: Death, society, social injustice, suffering, darkness, pain, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "The Unseen"
2. "Denial"
3. "Pray"
4. "All Life Lost"
5. "Freedom Denied"
6. "Closeminded Failure"
7. "Depression"
8. "Bleeding Unborn"
9. "One At A Time"
10. "Eyes See Red"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Ogden Brewing Company (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://ogdenriverbrewing.com/ 
• Brew: Hit the Grit IPA
• Style: New England Style India Pale Ale (NEIPA)
• Serving: 32 ounce crawler can
• ABV: 5.0%
• IBUs: 39
• Ingredients: Idaho 7, Citra, and Idaho Gem hops
• Pour: The Hit the Grit pours a very hazy, pale straw yellow hue with a billowy and firm, half-finger, bright white head with great retention and lots of sticky lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, fruity, dank, resinous, earthy, and floral.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, tangerine, orange juice, mango, pine resin, wild flowers, thyme, cannabis, crackery biscuit, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Hit the Grit follows the nose with lots of citrus, tropical fruit, earthy, and pungent flavors.  There are notes of pink grapefruit, tangerine, mango, papaya, berries, pine, fresh herbs, and light caramel. 
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Hit the Grit is very crisp and juicy with a rather dry, somewhat bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The Ogden River Hit the Grit is a punchy, complex, and flavorful brew... great for the intense metal onslaught that is Solstice's "Pray"!  Those bitter and earthy pine notes are perfect for the aggressive tones and angry lyrics, while the brighter, fruitier notes work well with the fiery guitar riffs and solos.  'Nuff said!!

    

Cheers and hails!!