From Eindhoven to London: A Double Dose of Mayhem with From Ashes To New
Wrapping up their first European tour with a London show, on the same day their brand-new album ‘Reflections’ was released, From Ashes To New capped off a huge run of dates that we were lucky enough to catch twice. Having already seen the band tear through their final EU tour stop in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, just before they headed over to the UK for the last show of the tour, the anticipation was high and they delivered a Friday night to remember.
Commencing the night’s proceedings was Paradise Fell who set the tone with a pit bouncing early doors. Hot on their heels with heavy melodic sounds, Comastatic kept fans moving in time with the excitement and anticipation that hung in the air.
A dramatic monologue saw the room heavy with tension before From Ashes to New worked their way through a fan favourite setlist. Cheers of approval met the opening lyrics to ‘New Disease’, which grew louder as co-front man Danny Case let out the awaited ‘blurgh’.
Whoever said that rock, rap and metal would not work together (Pete, friend of co-front man Matt Brandberry, we are all looking at you), has not experienced the excellence that comes from that click with your bandmate. Treating the audience to uninterrupted impeccable flow all night with the rap effort of Matt and the melodic voice of Danny, and of course both had to give a little scream or two, it was a pleasure to watch the three genres blend seamlessly together.
Addressing the audience during some minor technical difficulties, which you wouldn’t have known about due to the barrier-less interaction Matt and Danny had with the audience, a crowd vote lead to a fan joining the boys on stage as a 6th member for the second chorus of ‘Hate Me Too’. One incredible pep talk later about self belief, cries of “drag me to hell” bellowed through the room.
Draping the venue in red lighting and boiling over with excitement, the request may have been taken too literally, as Danny jested with fans “I don’t think it’s hot enough in here”. Being hotter than hell itself was not going to be any kind of excuse for a lack of participation and London did not let the metal community down on this side of the pond! If the pit wasn’t already moving, Danny’s command to “open this pit right now” while he screamed “fucking maniac” certainly intensified the energy. London did not need to be encouraged to show From Ashes to New what they were made of, but fans were happy to oblige. Encouraging booms from drummer Maty Madiro kept the pit spinning and while welcomed, fans were deep into the depths of fun and carnage, that encouragement was not necessary.
Maintaining power and momentum but in a different vein, the penultimate track ‘Die For You’ engulfed the room in the glory of its ballad-like energy. Complete with moody blue cinematic lights, it was one the room has been waiting to be hit with at force.
Pig squeals from Danny during the final moments of the show was not on my bingo card and the crowd delighted in pits and cheers.
Following a very successful tour, From Ashes to New return to the states to support Black Veil Brides on their North American tour but Matt assured us that they will be back very soon, and the fans cannot wait for this return.
Note: All photos were taken in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, just a couple of days before the London show.