Ashes Of Ares – “Well Of Souls” (2018)
ROAR – Rock Of Angels Records
#HeavyMetal, #PowerMetal
For fans of: Iced Earth, Sanctuary, Evergrey, Demons & Wizards, Amor Amarth
Score: 9/10
First of all try, try really hard, to detach Matt Barlow’s voice from Iced Earth. And fail miserably. Right? You can’t! Barlow’s emotional, powerful and awe-inspiring voice is the “soul” of Iced Earth and anything he sings will always take us to the golden times when he was in the band. He can even sing afoxé and that will take us to Iced Earth, there is no way to escape it.
Now, let’s look at Ashes of Ares, the band he leads with his ex-band mate and Iced Earth’s bass player, Freddie Vidales, here on guitars. “Well of Souls”, the band’s 2nd album, is definitely more intense, cohesive, focused, dynamic and technical than the first self-titled debut album. Including betting even more on more elaborate and progressive choruses that stick to our minds, given the lyrics match the music perfectly. Now look, we’ve had a 4-year gap between one album and the other, and even the fact that the band didn’t make any extensive tours because of the band’s minds regular jobs, this wasn’t a drawback that would turn this release into something sub par, on the contrary, when the musicians are above average, even far from the stage they can deliver high quality music.
“Well of Souls” starts off with a distinguished guest, Jonah Weingarten (keyboards), in the beautiful apocalyptic intro with a little bit more than 1 minute and 20 seconds in “Consuming the Mana”, resembling fascinating movie scores from Hollywood, as if we were in jungle full of perils, losing our breath and about to be captured. As the track goes on, it reminds us of Pyramaze in “Immortal”, the only album Barlow recorded with the Danish band in 2008, with a heavier and faster tone. Pay attention to Barlow’s dissonant and epic vocalizations throughout the track, combined with Freddie’s guitars it makes some sort of brutal metallic epopee.
It is worth noting that the band’s ex-drummer, Van Williams (Ghost Ship Octavius and ex-Nevermore) recorded the drums here, and we don’t have to say the guy is a beast, right? Here he held off a little bit, but still a beast!
The excellent “Alien” almost takes us instantly to Iced Earth in a mix of “The Dark Saga” and “Crucible Of Man”, balancing its heaviness with Barlow’s interpretation, sometimes emotional, sometimes aggressive. And what a guitar solo!!! Simply a true harmony show!
“Unworthy”, darker and groovier than the others, brings heavier and muted riffs, is one of the best of the album because it showcases how much Barlow’s and Freddie’s compositions have evolved during these 4 years. The kind of song we can use as inspirational source when we have to fight our inner demons.
The enigmatic and progressive “Soul Seacher” brings the pace down a little bit, being one of the slowest in the album, and guess who shines on it: you guessed right, Mr. Barlow. I doubt you won’t get any shivers with his voice here, combining smoother and more “aggressive” tones, even in a slow song like this one. But all this “tranquility” is soon gone and then there is “Sun Dragon”, which reminds us of Iced Earth’s “Ten Thousand Strong” with a high-pitched scream in the beginning. Well-balanced heaviness and speed, the ones that makes us want to destroy anything in our way! It’s another highlight of the album and a classic track to end a show with high energy!
“Transcending” reminds us of Amon Amarth a little bit and shows a more pulsing side of what the band has been doing because of the pace and the guitars. While the trilogy formed by “Let All Despair”, “In The Darkness” and “Spirit Of Man” is a true emotional roller coaster, reminds us of climatic excerpts from Iced Earth’s “Burnt Offerings” (1995). Beginning with something softer, just like “Soul Searcher”, but more epic and energy-filled, then taking us to second best track of the album, the aggressive and powerful “In The Darkness”, perfect from start to end. Closing the trilogy there is “Spirit Of Man”, which keeps the atmosphere, but with a melancholic touch that only Ashes of Ares can give, i.e., using heaviness to favor melody.
Freddie Vidales, who also played the bass, not only grew as guitarist, but also can stray away from the Jon Schaffer complex, playing a very different sound from the one created by his ex-band mate, and therefore proving both bands ARE different.
“Time Traveler”, another track where heaviness imposes itself in a vibrant way, with highlight to Van Willims’ drums that goes all the way with double bass and everything. Another excellent track that well be very welcome live.
Do you remember I mentioned Amon Amarth? Well, “The God Of War” is basically an “Iced Earth” or “Amon Amarth” with an impressive connection. I doubt you won’t think the same after hearing it. It’s awesome! I, also as an Amon Amarth big fan, loved it! Best track of all, hands down!
Closing this great album there is the bonus track, “You Know My Name”, which is nothing less of a tribute to the late singer Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave). As Barlow and Freddie are big fans of 007 movies and, clearly, Chris Cornell, they decided to make this beautiful tribute in a Casino Royale’s soundtrack version. Do we have to say it is flawless? Of course not! (laughs).
I really hope the band can do more tours around the world, they deserve it and are capable, talented and can put all their hearts and even more to be at a higher level.
For those who thought Ashes of Ares was just another project with a set shelf life, I am sorry to tell you you’re dead wrong! UP THE ASHES!
Review made in collaboration with the official Brazilian pages Iced Earth – Brazil Under Ice and Ashes of Ares – Brazil Under Ashes.
Johnny Z.
