Better Noise Music
July 28
From Ashes To New have gone backward to progress forward somewhat on their new album Blackout.
A prequel of sorts to their 2016 debut Day One, Blackout mirrors the frame of mind experienced during its writing stage, harnessing feelings and emotions that encapsulate the distress of a pre-apocalyptic world referenced heavily on that debut album but with the benefit of years of touring and recording under their belts.
Opener Heartache paints a desolate landscape before bass player Matt Brandyberry delivers his rap-style vocals in a measured, yet dominant fashion as the instruments whirl gently underneath.
The rhythm section finds its voice as lead vocalist Danny Case steps up to the plate and barks his piece before the rap-infused musical banter continues in a back-and-forth with Case that carries through until the song’s conclusion.
A few well-placed screams from Case keep things interesting and the dynamics between the contrasting vocal styles are intriguing to say the least.
Nightmare swirls up next before tough as fuck guitars from Lance Dowdle spice things up a bit and lure the twin vocal assault back onto the battlefield.
This one is a bit more aggressive in nature, laying its foundations in the metal side of things with rap additions, as opposed to the rap-led delivery of the first track.
It might not sound like a big difference, but believe me the sonic intensity is elevated exponentially.
Case finds his voice in devastating fashion on Nightmare, switching between clean and harsh vocals effortlessly and offering a glimpse into the darker side of From Ashes To New’s psyche.
Hate Me Too eases to life with a softer vocal offering, a sense of pain and longing in Case’s voice. As Mat Madiro starts rolling out a steady drum pattern the song gathers a hint of steam but never breaks free from the embrace of a song of substance for which I am guessing it is intended.
Hope You’re Happy has another vocal-led intro that sets the tone for another ballad of sorts that showcases the softer side of Case’s persona. Even when Brandyberry enters the fray this song continues on its mournful trajectory.
And then Hope You’re Happy changes tact completely, presumably when the subject matter of the song decides they certainly aren’t happy.
When you listen to the lyrics things make more sense as Case asks “should I sing you a happy song with a noose around my neck”, which is pretty much my whole point here.
Barely Breathing is another softer number that oozes melancholy sadness. After a mournful opening salvo from Case, Brandyberry steps up to the plate before the pair combine for a brief, yet noticeable moment that almost reminds me of Linkin Park – but better.
Dead To Me kicks in with a pile of pent-up aggression that offers promise but again regresses into the more radio-friendly hard rock that has punctuated Blackout.
It is definitely harder-edged than most of what has come before it and showcases the rap/harsh/clean vocals beautifully in parts. When it works, Blackout really works, and even when it doesn’t, there’s still enough going on to keep things interesting.
Dead To Me eventually delivers on its early promise with a devastating breakdown three parts through that sounds more like what I was expecting.
But maybe it’s me. I actually thought From Ashes To New were a much heavier band, and when you go in expecting one thing and get another, just who is to blame?
Monster In Me starts with a creepy mash of noise that is soon cleared by an awesome guitar riff that sets the drums in motion. Rather than be followed by Case and his harshness, Brandyberry instead takes the microphone and raps the absolute fuck out of it over an ominous sonic palate that oozes dread.
Case joins in after a couple of verses and sets about dismantling the track but pulls back as quickly as he entered to let the rap-n-roll onslaught continue. The opposing forces of music work like a charm on Monster In Me and I think I am finally coming around to From Ashes To New’s way of thinking.
Echoes returns to the softer, somber tones complete with a whispered intro. Case leans on the cleaner side of his vocals on this one, with Brandyberry also singing moreso than rapping.
And it’s not too bad just quietly.
Another violent breakdown towards the back end of the song pushes the needle back into the red that hopefully flows into Armageddon.
Which it does to an extent. The electronic side of From Ashes To New is on show here, accompanying the rap vocals perfectly. Everything about the songs on Blackout screams accessibility which can only be a good thing for the band, right?
Legacy washes up next on the back of a wave of keys that deliver another rap-lead track that shows instant urgency. Case quickly throws his opinions in before the two vocalists harmonise together for the first obvious time on the album. And it sounds good.
Things turn nasty as Case unleashes the inner beast in a running battle with Brandyberry that creates a sonic wall of destruction almost impossible to resist. And then it stops. Suddenly and effectively, and I find myself taking a welcome breath of oxygen while I can.
Next up is Until We Break, which features a guest appearance by Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire. It starts promisingly enough before a short, sharp scream leads you down a measured, but still angry gem of a track that works itself into a frenzy before pulling the pressure gauge down long enough to lay a solid platform.
Dowdle comes out of his shell considerably on this track, leading the musical procession and dictating the rise and fall with a deft picking of his strings.
By the time Until We Break fully finds its voice shit is really starting to get real despite the regular regression back to niceties. Even that can’t minimise the impact on display here before – almost too suddenly – the track finishes and leaves us with closing track Broken By Design.
An up-tempo blast of electronics ushers in another tasty guitar riff that awakens Madiro who begins to smash his kit with renewed intent.
A massive sing-a-long type chorus does little to hide the anger behind Broken By Design with From Ashes To New finally drawing a line in the sand.
Considering I generally run a mile at the thought of having any rap in my diet, listening to Blackout has been a more pleasurable experience than I initially thought. From Ashes To New definitely have their own style which has to be admired.
When they decide to get heavy these guys bring the noise, and even when they get their rap on they still manage to churn out quality material at a rapid rate.
Definitely not my usual cup of tea musically, but then again I’m not a tea person. But if you are a fan of this style of music then I’m sure Blackout will sit nicely in your collection.
Hell, I don’t really like the music but still enjoyed it, which says something.
