Ashes Of Ares – New Messiahs

More than a decade has passed since the debut of Ashes Of Ares, the band formed by former Iced Earth members Matt Barlow (vocals) and Freddie Vidales (guitars/bass). After a strong debut and a less impressive sophomore release, Well of Souls, it took the band about five years to release their third record, Emperors and Fools. That album saw them reclaim their ground with a sound that built upon the foundation of the debut, expanding it—most notably—by taking a more progressive direction.

Now, the band is back with a follow-up that, in many ways, picks up where its predecessor left off. Fortunately so, because Ashes Of Ares have clearly found their niche—without ever trying to revolutionize the genre. And while they’ve never achieved major commercial success, they’ve carved out a loyal audience, occupying that sweet, empty space left behind by the disbanding(hiatus of Nevermore, Iced Earth, and Sanctuary.

On their previous album, the band has firmly established their sound, so it makes sense that New Messiahs follows a similar approach. What we have here is a collection of intense, well-written songs with a strong sense of atmosphere and emotion. There’s also lyrical depth—something that shines through even when the lyrics may lack poetic finesse.

Musically, the band treads familiar waters, clearly inspired by the likes of Nevermore, Judas Priest, and of course, Iced Earth. Yet Barlow and Vidales maintain their own identity, giving Ashes Of Ares a sense of originality. Most significant part of that originality lies in the interplay between Barlow’s high and low vocal registers and the way they are layered. Vidales’s guitar work is slick and potent, but lacks originality. At times, his riffs come dangerously close to echoing Slayer’s iconic riffs—though thankfully, none cross the line as much as “By My Blade” did on their previous album.

Vidales also delivers numerous tasteful and emotionally charged guitar leads, and it’s refreshing to hear the bass given room in the mix—something that’s often neglected when the guitarist also handles bass duties.

New Messiahs also marks the first time the band opens an album with an intro track. While such intros are overused in the genre, “Novus Ordo” still serves as a strong example of Ashes Of Ares’ strengths in arrangement and maintaining intensity. And while the songwriting is solid it’s not the strongest they’ve delivered

Ashes Of Ares seem to be in a good—and comfortable—place, and New Messiahs is a testament to that. The band have a lot to say, but creatively they are not at their peak. That being, said this is still a very good classic heavy metal album by the duo.

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