April 17
Better Noise Music
Review by Kris Peters
Due out on April 17, From Ashes To New‘s latest album Reflections is said to push the band’s signature sound further, described as a refined, heavier evolution of their previous work. Now, we all know such statements are part and parcel of pretty much every new album from a metal band, so the best way to find out for sure is to hit play and judge for yourself…
Opener Drag Me sets an up tempo vibe from the outset with an electronic fuelled slab of heaviness that soon gives way to rap style spat vocals from Matt Brandyberry that are urgent, decisive and engaging.
The chorus comes around and is more of a radio friendly interruption with a softer outlook and clean vocals courtesy of Danny Case, but the urgency promised from the outset soon settles back in and From Ashes To New definately seem keen to showcase their heavier side on this album. Altered vocals impose a sense of fear to the track before a mini vocal breakdown eases back into clean vocals delicately layered through the dominant harsh.
Great way to start an album!
Forever is the exact opposite, starting with ambient keys that fade into the background as Case enters the song full of sorrow and mourning. This is a much more restrained track, and although delivered with less aggression still maintains a semblance of the toughness From Ashes To New promised with Drag Me.
Case repeatedly reists the temptation to go into an all out vocal assault, despite the nature of the song implying an underlying sense of hostility. And the song is all the more better for it. There are fleeting moments of adversity in the music that are forced into the background as FATN explore the more sensitive side of their musical psyche without veering too far off track.
Villain has a brief creepy intro passage which is soon offset by shuffling electronics that swagger through at a casual pace that sets the scene for another angst driven slab of longing. This track is given impetus by more rapid, rap infused vocals that sporadically intrude on the quieter moments, offering an opposing viewpoint that I assume is the titular villain of the piece.
About three parts through a viscious breakdown adds yet another dimension to the track as Brandyberry struggles to contain his emotions in an obvious interplay between his mind and internal demons.
Interesting song.
Die For You begins with a vocal passage over the top of stuttering electronics that are possibly meant to be a reference to a dying heartbeat? That one is open to interpretation, but what isn’t in dispute is the calming nature of Die For You that is as sensitive as the title would suggest. Definately one meant for radio.
Black Hearts has an almost industrial vibe to begin before an almighty breakdown indicates otherwise. But instead of continuing on that trajectory, FATN slow things down again until Brandyberry enters with the rap infused vocals that seem to usher in a more urgent approach and even more tasty breakdowns. The contrast between beauty and the beast here is well constructed, utilising rap, metal and ballad sensibilities and neatly combining them together into a beast of a track that offers up surprises at every turn.
The breakdowns are heavy as fuck and the moments of softness almost beautiful, but the visciousness and timing of the heavier moments are what will remain in my mindset from Black Hearts. Epicness at its most consumate.
Upside Down fires in after a brief electronic salvo, briefly going full on aggression before regressing into a more emotive tone before changing tact again with the rappier type vocals. It almost feels as though FATN might have bitten off a tad too much musically here, but as the track progresses that feeling is replaced with one more of being impressed by the band’s ability to create a sonic piece of music that manages to bring so many contrasting styles and emotions together.
Another well placed breakdown opens up a new level of hostility that lasts only fleetingly before the softer touch is again deployed with effect. I’m guessing such musical disparities are designed to illicit a plethora of emotions within the one song, and if that’s the case FATN have achieved that purpose with an ease and regularity that is uncommon in the style of metal they adhere to, and the music sounds much more individual and decisive as a result.
(Not) Psycho opens with a hazy piece of music that is every bit as schizophrenic as the title implies. This track offers up a lengthier passage of the rap infused vocals, but, as I have come to expect over this album, those moments are only a sample of the parts that make up the song as a whole.
There is an undercurrent of aggression in the music, but these seem to be there more as a means of suggestion that an integral part of the song. That is until around the two minute mark when (Not) Psycho explodes into a seething ball of rage that almost catches you off guard. But in a welcome way.
Pick of the album so far.
Parasite has more of an ambient feel as the tone is quickly set by softer vocals and tempered musicality that suggests a more tender approach. Rapid vocals alternate with the calmer moments as FATN offer opposing viewpoints courtesy of differing vocal techniques. It is a direction employed often throughout Reflections but as yet doesn’t feel stale or overplayed.
Once more, a well placed breakdown sends things reeling in nother direction as FATN can no longer contain their emotions and allow them to spill into the open before things fade into the distance, ending with a hoarse whisper that to me feels like FATN still have some unresolved issues.
These manifest into New Disease, which fires out of the blocks amid a swirling storm of heaviness. This serves only as an appertiser as FATN pull things back considerably into more socially acceptable leanings as they ease into New Disease with an increasing sense of urgency that culminates with the rapid, rappier style of vocals that highlight the immediate urgency of the song.
This time it is a vocal led breakdown that changes things up, quickly backed up by an onslaught of music that seems to accentuate the previous thoughts of urgency. This continues as the track winds down, closing with more bouts of aggression offset by rough static that takes us through to the next track Darkside.
This opens with Case showcasing the tender side of his vocals, quickly interrupted by a sharp bout of harshness from Brandyberry that is sent reeling as the calm is restored and a sense of order returns to proceedings. This is another song that has its footing deeply set in the heavier side of metal, and it doesn’t take long before this becomes the dominant force of nature and Darkside takes a turn into exactly that territory.
The ability of FATN to take their music on a journey through such opposing emotions is an important part of their personality, and this is never more evident than on Darkside which regularly straddles the line between heaviness and emotion without feeling forced or contrived. Another absolute standout.
Falling From Heaven begins with quiet introspection as Case imparts emotion and despair with his opening vocals. Brandyberry soon switches things up before FATN once more pull things back into more accessible territory as they seemingly reinforce the meaning of the song.
The interplay between these two styles bounces back and forth throughout Falling From Heaven until a down tuned guitar run leads into a wicked heavy breakdown that has Brandyberry re-evaluating his stance. When the cleans return they do so with more menace, eventually succumbing to the aggressive nature of music that suggests the fall from the heavens was not as neutral as was intended.
Reflections comes to a close with Your Ghost which opens as a rap dominated track offset by a softer underbelly. This suggests a deeper message which is explored further as Your Ghost switches between the afforemention rap tidings and a softer chorus that compliment each other beautifully.
Of course, it wouldn’t be FATN if things stayed this way, and a beautiful passage of heaviness acts as a bridging of emotions that makes the inevitable return to cleans even more impactful. This approach is repeated as Your Ghost draws to an end, leaving you with a sense of unfinished business that augers well for future material.
Reflections most definately delivers on the promise made in the opening paragraph and then some. It is an album made by a band who are more than comfortable with their growing status in the music world, and one which, in many ways, commands respect for a number of reasons. One of which is FATN’s ability to bring you into their sonic realm without fear of reprisal. This is music made for people no matter your personal preference, with enough variations and exploration of differing genres to appeal to the masses without following trends and expectations.
And the world needs more of that. Much more.
