Artist: Ashenheart
Title: Tales From Eternal Dusk
Type: EP
Label: Digital / Fiadh Productions
Another band my odd meandering ‘walks’ down various rabbit holes led to and up front this was, after a fairly crappy time, a true moment of clear minded pleasure to find. I think it was a thread from some Fiadh post, or Bandcamp also nudging me. But here I was, looking at this cover and hitting play.
‘Empire Of The Necromancers’ has a fairly traditional black metal beginning; a clean strum of guitar and the ominous riff washing over it. But the difference is that the arrangement just grabbed me. There is a very early nineties feel to it, a bit of very very old Cradle Of Filth (From The Cradle To Enslave) in the perfect twinning of keyboards and guitar; a rich and gothic feel yes but a riff that just feels so… malevolent that I’m frozen in my tracks. The vocals are also just so good here; they have a real savage personality to them between snarl and howl and cry. Also must add that the production is just spot on: The sound is thick, heavy but clear and the bass and drums absolutely power on through.
Well, for a band I just ‘chanced upon’ that is just a joy to hear.
‘Apparitions Of The Abyss’ absolutely charges in; the galloping riff ‘n’ drums direct as the guitar line swirls around as though it is ghostly pennants trailing behind a charging horseman. It showcases another facet of Ashenheart; relentless, full on surge but still with that ethereal whsiper of keyboards behind it. The low end is very up front here too, bringing a real punch of death metal to the riff and a frantic, constant kickdrum machine gun sound.
‘Quest For The Secret Fire’ is like suddenly being shot out into a misty landscape. Cold, damp, desolate and weirdly still. And bit by bit as the light guitar notes begin in an almost flamenco style it is as though points of light, a halo of small fire, peers out of the mist towards you. The atmosphere is full of the occult, the unknown. It is like a restless dream that wraps you in the sheets and holds you tighter the more you struggle. The bite of the death metal hits in some of the riff, the smooth launch into a black metal storm so smooth after it. I will, just a teeny bit, admit the drums can sound a little relentless and precise on the kick at times for me but frankly they are also really impressive and are the absolute backbone of the terrific engine of Ashenheart so its all good. Add deft changes, thoughtful arrangement and an almost prog (in a death/black metal style) approach and you have a fine song indeed.
‘Hymn To Silence The Light’ is the most overtly death metal assault out fo the gate; hard riffing, breakneck drumming, discordant guitar runs and vocals biting deep. The weird almost delicate melody coming in is the kind I haven’t heard since Akercoke’s heyday (no higher praise indeed from me.) It is imperious, eerie, prone to bouts of stormy turbulence and has a sense of control over the listener s though in the presence of some minister of the shadows.
Yeah, this was an absolute first-listen fall in love with find. Atmospheric, tempestuous, violent and mystical death/black metal with some superb songwriting and arrangements and their ability to thread the most delicate of melodies through the blastbeat and snarls is just glorious. A teeny bit of ancient Cradle Of Filth darkness, the intellectual but sensuous touch of Akercocke’s light melody and most importantly a whole tapestry woven by the unique personality of Ashenheart’s hard riffs, bright guitar breaks, charismatic vocals and the excellent songwriting and arrangements. Just excellent fantasy based black/death.
Gizmo
Walking The Liminal Space 