:: Review ::
Let’s
see. Power metal bordering on prog. Yep, that is what this is. Straight-ahead, in
your face, metal with sweeps of “proggy” moments not to be confused with any kind of
wussy music.
 That
said, there is much more to this band than those simple words convey. True, they
rock. Heavy, powerful, double kick drums from heaven, crunchy guitars, dark, almost
gravel vocals but easily understood. The vocals remind me of
Savior Machine.
Cello, piano, dirge like movements all building from a simple premise and that being
that, the music demands the listener’s attention.
As
this CD progresses it gradually builds in intensity, the mood grows darker, and the
vocals deepen to encompass a wide range of colors. Colors? Well yea if you
consider black a color. I’m reminded of a recent Sci-Fi flick named Pitch Black. I
use this analogy for one reason. In this movie, black was not just ONE color. The
color Black ranged from dark gray to pitch black.
So
goes the music on this CD. Often melancholy, regularly pensive, surprisingly
complex and always rocking. The thirteen-minute epic, Sic Transit Gloria Mundi, is
a classic Goth styled tune. 2/2 time, and chanting vocals that lead the listener
through a slow symphonic song of depth and brilliance. This one song truly shows
off these guys musical ability, while wrapping the listener in a dark robe of musical
somberness.
The
complexity and darkness of Sic Transit Gloria Mundi, is followed with the
all-instrumental balls to the wall but all too short track, Ravenous Unleashed.
Like wow! A welcome respite from the previous song just way to short.
I
suppose that was done on purpose as this song is followed with the catchy, powerful,
track “Behind Closed Eyes”. This one will get your toes a tappin’, unless you have
not one Rock and Roll hair on your BUTT.
In my
attempt to “get the lyrics”, I get some sense of where these guys are coming from; but
with no lyric sheet, it’s very hard to fill in the lyrical blanks. It is one of the
many reasons I prefer lyrical music to music that is all instrumental. But when the
lyrics are not provided, it sometimes leaves too much in question about a bands point
of view regarding life, love, God, etc.
So,
there you have it. Dark metal but not in the Black Metal vein. The vocals may put
some people off, but all in all, this is really good metal music.
This
is not a CD you start off with a casual listen. This CD demands your concentration. To
my way of thinking, this would be a perfect headphone CD.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10 keyboards
Reviewed By: Stephen Ellis
Review Date: 10/27/02
Visit the artist website:
Ashes to Ashes
:: DISCOGRAPHY ::
Shapes Of Spirit -
1999
You can purchase
Ashes to Ashes - Cardinal VII at the
following location
Contact DVS Records
c/o Rene Janssen
Vergelt 5A
5991 PJ BAARLO
The Netherlands
Telephone: (+31) (0) 77 477 83 11
Fax: (+31) (0) 77 477 83 10
email
info@dvsrecords.com
http://www.dvsrecords.com/
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