Post by thesoundmonitor on May 1, 2004 7:34:53 GMT -5
EYES OF FIRE
Ashes to Embers
(Century Media)
Forlorn would be an appropriate description of Eyes of Fire’s debut for more reasons than one. Formed from the ‘ashes’ of late nineties doom outfit Mindrot (whose two releases included one entitled Forlorn) Eyes of Fire continue in the bombastic tradition of their former selves but with a renewed sense of melody coupled with increased aggression.
Whereas Mindrot’s snailpace was burdened with crushing monotony, Eyes of Fire are able to explore depression with whole new palette of colours. In the tradition of comparisons, Ashes to Embers is like crossing mid-career Anathema with mid-career Neurosis with dashes of Gaia-era Tiamat and Roots-era Sepultura – an altogether new experience if ever there was!
‘Fly Away’ encompasses all of such influences in a neat, compact three-minute journey with bombastic verses aligning themselves alongside former label mates Neurosis’ Through Silver in Blood while utilising ethereal bridges sprinkled with light keys, and painful, repetitive choruses of utter despair.
Opening track ‘The End Result of Falling…’ demonstrates the bands’ passion for the undercurrent that saw doom metal merge with Pink Floyd and David Sylvian (ala Tiamat, Anathema, Decoryah, The Gathering, etc…), while the aggressive intensity of ‘One More’ would appeal to the less open-minded of metalheads, calling upon the tribalistic rhythms that saw Sepultura rise above the pack, and fusing a flanger effect to its’ structures.
The two Mindrotters share the mic, alternating between throaty rasps that teeter on the edge of death growls and the sullen, clean vox that, while not entirely melodious, are nevertheless melodic in their own right.
In all, by amalgamating apocalyptic fury with mournful compositions, Eyes of Fire’s debut marks a new beginning for what had become a forgotten format. And while I’d prefer a stronger focus on the grander moments, more epic moments, Ashes to Embers is no less a superb debut release and one that will no doubt re-invigorate the scene.
By Warren Wheeler
Band site: www.eyesoffire.us
Label site: www.centurymedia.com
Buy this album: www.centurymedia.com
Ashes to Embers
(Century Media)
Forlorn would be an appropriate description of Eyes of Fire’s debut for more reasons than one. Formed from the ‘ashes’ of late nineties doom outfit Mindrot (whose two releases included one entitled Forlorn) Eyes of Fire continue in the bombastic tradition of their former selves but with a renewed sense of melody coupled with increased aggression.
Whereas Mindrot’s snailpace was burdened with crushing monotony, Eyes of Fire are able to explore depression with whole new palette of colours. In the tradition of comparisons, Ashes to Embers is like crossing mid-career Anathema with mid-career Neurosis with dashes of Gaia-era Tiamat and Roots-era Sepultura – an altogether new experience if ever there was!
‘Fly Away’ encompasses all of such influences in a neat, compact three-minute journey with bombastic verses aligning themselves alongside former label mates Neurosis’ Through Silver in Blood while utilising ethereal bridges sprinkled with light keys, and painful, repetitive choruses of utter despair.
Opening track ‘The End Result of Falling…’ demonstrates the bands’ passion for the undercurrent that saw doom metal merge with Pink Floyd and David Sylvian (ala Tiamat, Anathema, Decoryah, The Gathering, etc…), while the aggressive intensity of ‘One More’ would appeal to the less open-minded of metalheads, calling upon the tribalistic rhythms that saw Sepultura rise above the pack, and fusing a flanger effect to its’ structures.
The two Mindrotters share the mic, alternating between throaty rasps that teeter on the edge of death growls and the sullen, clean vox that, while not entirely melodious, are nevertheless melodic in their own right.
In all, by amalgamating apocalyptic fury with mournful compositions, Eyes of Fire’s debut marks a new beginning for what had become a forgotten format. And while I’d prefer a stronger focus on the grander moments, more epic moments, Ashes to Embers is no less a superb debut release and one that will no doubt re-invigorate the scene.
By Warren Wheeler
Band site: www.eyesoffire.us
Label site: www.centurymedia.com
Buy this album: www.centurymedia.com