From Ashes to New: Reflections
‘Reflections’ could be described as the love child of Linkin Park and Architects, forging its own identity. Retaining the best parts of nu-metal and metalcore perfected by these heavyweight parents, the album is catchy, chaotic and carnage-inciting.
From Ashes to New frame the anxieties of life through theology and personify them in soaring choruses, catastrophic breakdowns and emotive screams that feel a little too close to home. Penultimate track ‘Falling From Heaven’,captures the essence of ‘Reflections’ , but From Ashes to New don’t keep you waiting until the 11th track to experience what they have to offer. Previously released single ‘Drag Me’ sets the intense and explorative tone immediately. Distorted demonic vocals, bouncing metallic riffs and melodic pleas of “drag me to hell” make it clear this album is going to be a good time.
‘Forever’, ‘Villain’ and ‘Die For You’ follow ‘Drag Me’ and switch up the pace, letting listeners know that this album isn’t about mindless thrashing. Each track moves with intention, and the lyrics explore the carefully considered themes of the album. It is difficult to ignore the deep and reflective undertone, especially when the weight in the delivery of “I’m sorry for your suffering” punches you as hard as the accompanying riffs. Resisting banging your head while catching the lyrics to take advantage of the cathartic release is near impossible.
‘Black Hearts’ and ‘New Disease’ crash in to remind us that while introspective and emotive, these Americans are serious about heavy music and they’re not shy about taking risks…
As you make your way through the album, it becomes clear that ‘Reflections’ is a showcase of the band’s influences and abilities. Each track has its allotment of melodic choruses, throaty roars, biting riffs and pummeling drums; however, ‘New Disease’ is where they decided to throw as much of that together as possible. From Ashes to New were ambitious here, and it paid off. A poignant message in artful lyricism is layered with passionate metal rap, a catastrophic breakdown and a guttural “blurgh” to produce an adrenaline-spiking slice of joy.
Despite everything but the kitchen sink going into ‘New Disease’, it is ‘Darkside’ where we get to marvel at the effortless harmony of the band. FATN play with a quality you normally hear from a band that has been performing together for a substantial period of time, and this carries through the whole album.
In keeping with the essence of previous albums, ‘Reflections’ is hook-laden and anthemic, but ‘Falling From Heaven’ takes first place in these moments. Poetically capturing relatable struggles through the weighted cries of “I keep falling from heaven back to hell” against euphoric, power-packed sonics has lined this track up to be a crowd pleaser.
Leaving us with confirmation that their longstanding nu-metal influence isn’t going anywhere, ‘Your Ghost’ leaves a lingering taste of the ’90s with a modern twist as From Ashes to New close out the introduction to their new age. ‘Reflections’ will be released on 17 April, the final day of the band’s EU/UK tour, and just ahead of From Ashes to New supporting Black Veil Brides on their North American tour.