Blimey, this was a surprise when I popped the CD into my player. Formed Stateside by Guitarist Yan Leviathan, their first album was recorded with non other the Dave Ellefson (ex-Megadeth, F5) as a guest musician. Since then, the band have continued to develop their sound.
Vocals courtesy of Lance King (Balance of Power & Pyramaze) are extremely similar to those of James Rivera (Helstar), musically it is not too far away from classic US Power metal. I mean in a similar vein to some Savatage, Helstar (the most prominent influence for me on this album), Iced Earth (Ripper period), Nevermore and reaching across the pond to references with other European bands. However, this release is more American in general, more powerful, slower, but atmospheric to the max. ‘The Lost and Forsaken’ has a cool blistering solo and main riff; keyboard interludes grab your attention and subtlety boost the ambience. The Euro influence comes with ‘Into the Other Side’, and then the Edguy and Hammerfall influence oozes some cheese all over the speakers. I personally preferred the American influence more. ‘Esoteric Lies’ sets things back on track and has a great vocal hook and melody, whilst the guitars battle on in the background and appear boosted during guitar fills. ‘Thundersoul’ provides another slice of guitar mastery and the whole band deliver the goods sort of speak without any substitution.
Overall the production is perfect, basically what you would expect with the technology nowadays. Produced and mastered by Lance King (yes – the vocalist) with engineering assistance by the founding guitarist Yan. Obviously comfortable with their musical vision, it has certainly come to fruition on this release. The artwork is something that again you expect in this genre, a fine slab of art by Mattias Noren.
There is little else to say, ‘Ashes and Madness’ is a very good and surprising find for me overall, a beautifully crafted masterpiece of classic US metal hooks, powerful vocals and arrangements that would make some metal albums shudder in embarrassment.
http://www.myspace.com/avianband
http://www.avianband.com
http://www.silverwolf-productions.com
