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 heading over to the UK for the last show of the tour, the anticipation was high as they delivered a night to remember.
The show opened with 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 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. The opening lyrics to ‘New Disease’ were met with loud cheers of approval which grew even more thunderous as co-frontman Danny Case let out the awaited ‘blurgh’.
Whoever said that rock, rap and metal would not work together (Pete, friend of co-vocalist Matt Brandyberry, we are all looking at you) has apparently 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 witness the three genres blend seamlessly together.
Addressing the audience during some minor technical difficulties, which you wouldn’t have known about due to the barrierless interaction Matt and Danny had with the public, a crowd vote led 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 “f•cking maniac” certainly intensified the energy. The fans in London did not need to be urged to show what they were made of, but they were happy to oblige. Encouraging booms from drummer Maty Madiro kept the pit spinning, as fans were drawn into the depths of fun and carnage.
Maintaining power and momentum – but in a different vein, the penultimate track ‘Die for You’ engulfed the venue 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 in force.
Pig squeals from Danny during the final moments of the show were not on my bingo card – and the crowd was delighted in pits and cheers.
Following a very successful tour, From Ashes to New will return to the US to support Black Veil Brides on their North American run starting later this month. But Matt assured us that they will be back across the Atlantic very soon – and the fans cannot wait for this moment.
Note: All photos were taken in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, just a couple of days before the London show.