Scattering Ashes ‘Shadows’ (Self Released)
DL
Out Now

We recently reviewed the Midlands heavy metal band Scattering Ashes when they played as part of a battle of the bands show in Coventry. Our man at the gig then, Adrian Bloxham, was so impressed that he’s now giving them so more direct attention, this time reviewing their latest release.

Drums pound out a menacing call to arms. The guitarist flexes his shoulders and from the electric hum starts a riff to die for. Think electric era Cult with the menace of the best of Grindcore. Dan’s bass adds thunder to an already potent mix and then the classic metal voice comes in, the noise gels and your head moves. The riffs turn into Iommi sized battering rams and the voice pleads for you to ”˜Save me”¦.’ The guitar sparingly solos and the music crashes around you.

This album grabs it all, it uses the memory of the forefathers of Metal, the bastard sons of Grindcore, the darkness and grandeur of the lords of Goth. It’s all here, crammed into the grooves on these tunes. Praying for you to turn it up to eleven and beyond. To someone who lost most of his early teenage years to the sounds of the NWOBHM the vocals are absolutely perfect.

The songs all have the guitars of a true Metalhead tradition. Wayne creates a noise that a horde of bands aspire to and only a few achieve. The sound is crystal clear and to reiterate, it’s still not loud enough. You can hear the hints of Sabbath, the creeping sound of the Sisters and the Cult and the thrash of Napalm Death but all of these have been transformed into Scattering Ashes own sound. These seven songs are very much their own.

Christoph’s drums are the fuel behind the thunder and fire, they powerhouse the band along and make them sound huge and open.

The deciding factor are Steve Smith’s vocals, as I’ve said, clear and open, emotive and merging with the power behind them perfectly. You will find yourself shouting along very quickly.

This album is part of a long lineage in the history of British Metal, Melodic Metal as they call it on their facebook page. Well worth a listen and when you’ve heard it, played it over and over, go and see them live, because then they shine.

All words by Adrian Bloxham. You can read more from Adrian on LTW here.