Ark ascent – Downfall

While covering Bloodstock festival we were given CDs by several bands who were either playing or just using the event as a promotional opportunity to reach a lot of press in one place. One of those CDs was from Ark Ascent, and while editing photos from the weekend I picked this one up to listen to and I have to say I’m really glad I did as it’s one hell of an impressive album especially when you realise it’s a debut album from a band you hadn’t previously heard of.

The album has been planned for some time – since the band initially formed as Prophecy in 2011 in fact. The fact they’ve taken their time shows in the finished product. The songs are all well written, performed well and the production is spot on too – basically all the elements have been done right.

The album kicks off with the fantastic instrumental track “Arival”. It’s a track that really got my attention when I first listened to the album and is still a track I keep being drawn back to.

Check out the video for “Sanctuary”…

This is a progressive metal album and there’s certainly a healthy dose of Prog here, and the powerful guitar parts that occur regularly through the album bring the metal aspect. Some tracks such as “The aftermath” are quite heavy while others are much more Prog and less metal. It’s a good mix and means the album constantly sounds fresh as you listen to it and never gets boring. It’s a fairly long album too – 49 minutes so it’s great value for money.

An excellent debut album – highly recommended.

“Downfall” will be released on 27th September 2019 and can be ordered at https://arkascent.bandcamp.com/album/downfall/

Track listing:

1. Arrival
2. Point of no return
3. Sanctuary
4. Darkest hour
5. Farewell
6. Downfall
7. Ascension
8. Innocence lost
9. The aftermath
10. Closer to heaven
11. The end of time

Ark Ascent are:

Rogue Marechal – Vocals (ex-Shadowkeep)
Jack Kirby – Guitars
Andrea Arcangeli – Bass (DGM)
Michael Brush – Drums (Sirenia)