From The Ashes

From The Ashes Review

Born out of the rubble of many different bands Syracuse, New York, From The Ashes have built and rebuilt their sound from an almost strictly metalcore band to a much more mature sound that will have listeners creating circle pits in the privacy of their own homes. Starting from a series of metal jam bands, From The Ashes solidified their lineup after their debut tour in 2009. Since then they put out a six song EP titled “Perdition” and have another four song EP coming out in February which will be titled “In A Dead World”. The band’s latest project has attracted the attention of some major label bands such as Chimera. The band recorded this EP with guitarist Mike Hatalak of it dies today who has been showing it off to major labels. The band plans on changing their name as well as other things although we’ll have to wait until the end of January/beginning of February to see these changes. All I can say is that they will be for the better and add a much more professional air to the band.

“In a Dead World” shows a lot of growth in the band when comparing it to their first EP “Perdition” which sounds more like something that As I lay dying made with its clean vocal choruses. "In A Dead World"displays a much more aggressive sound than the bands debut effort. Starting off “In a Dead World” is the cleverly titled track “intro” which leads off the EP with hard hitting double bass (compliments to drummer Kory) and samples the two guitarists (Scott and Greg) working well together on a slower paced two part guitar harmony. The only problem with the song is that it is not long enough and will have listeners begging From The Ashes to create a full song out of this short yet catchy intro.

After the slower introduction to the EP comes the hard hitting thrash influenced song “Chasing Ghost” where bass, guitar, drums and vocals all come together to create a sound reminiscent of Unearth and As I Lay Dying. Vocalist Anthony combines lows and highs to make sure the faster parts of the song are emphasized and keeps a mid-range tone so that every word in the breakdowns are heard. The song goes back and forth between fast and slow, thrash and breakdown to satisfy ears to all genres.

Next up is the song “Means and Ends”, the first ten seconds of the song will remind As I lay Dying fans of a more palm muted version of the song “Within Destruction” off of their 2007 release “An Ocean Between Us”. The rest of the song plays to a faster two step riff that will please fans that enjoy an older style of hardcore. The song ends in a breakdown in the style of Hatebreed in which the words “You will be judged!” is screamed repeatedly pushing fear in the hearts of listeners and having them beg for more.

As all great things start, they must also come to an end. Fortunately From The Ashes put forth their best effort for the last song of the EP. “We Will not Surrender” begins with a complicated drum fill which leads into a guitar intro which goes a melodic two step riff. Epic, is the best word to describe this song. The listener will feel the energy of a general refusing to lose through bass, drums, and guitars alone. “We Will Not Surrender” shows that this band will not give up and continue to play with their hearts until they stop beating.

From The Ashes will release “In a Dead World” at their show with Reign Supreme, Mother Of Mercy, Unearth and many more at the tenth anniversary of Syracuse shows, in Syracuse, New York. The band has tickets that they are selling for 13 dollars if you message their myspace (listed below).

In an online interview with their drummer Kory, it was confessed that the band will be making some big changes including a new name which should be exposed within the next month. From The Ashes signed a distribution deal and the EP will eventually be available on Itunes, Amazon, Napster and Shockhound shortly.

From The Ashes put a breath of fresh air into a genre quickly being taken over by guitarist who can only play breakdowns and power chords and drummers who have only a double bass pedal and a china cymbal. Luckily for those of us who enjoy metalcore, we will have a band whose CD shows creativity and hard effort.

You can find this band at…
http://www.twitter.com/fromtheashes315
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/From-The-Ashes/126039263782
www.purevolume.com/fromtheashes315
http://www.youtube.com/user/FromTheAshesTV

Best two songs on the EP
We Will Not Surrender
Chasing Ghost

Stay Brutal
Dan