Ashes in Vein – Ashes in Vein

Dorothy famously said ‘Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore’. Oh hang on, yes we are and we are being entertained by Ashes in Vein. Originally formed back in 2008 and hailing from Junction City Kansas the band reformed in 2012. Original members Tyler Peterson and James Swaim have been joined by Zach Howard, Jackson Hoyle and Andrew Calovich.
This self-titled EP is a solid slab of molten metal. So let’s have a look at the tracks shall we?

Track 1 ‘Misery’ is also the band’s debut video release. The skipping double bass drum drives Misery along with all the groove that you’d expect. The vocals on this track and in fact on all the tracks, are double layered with metal growls and melodic top layers and they work really well. Misery is well crafted and thought out giving us hope for the rest of the EP.

Track 2 is the Title track, ‘Ashes in Vein’. We are met by those deep metal growls right at the start of this track and they lead us right into a multi layered and very well thought out track. Whilst one could say this is nothing new, you would have to also say that it is executed very well which is a blessing. We are not let down by this track.

Track 3 is ‘Fight’. Hello it’s a drum intro, you got me! Kind of reminiscent of an old school thrash intro Fight then coalesces into a solid slab of metal. The vocals are really good on this track as are the guitars. Again we are not let down by this track and Ashes in Vein give us one hell of a ride with Fight.

Track 4 is ‘Until the end of Time’ and is the final track which finishes things off very nicely. With great twin guitar parts and superb drums and solid bass and vocals you are treated to another great track. Ashes in Vein have certainly crafted their own spin on this style of metal which in these times is no easy feat.

Ashes in Vein have delivered a top notch debut. If one was to be over critical the Bass guitar parts could be more prominent in the mix and the drum tuning slightly altered but that of course is a personal opinion. Having said that I enjoyed the EP and would not hesitate in suggesting you give it a listen. So let’s see what the guys deliver next time it should be well worth a listen.

www.facebook.com/ashesinveinmetal
Review by Sam Hill