Review: “Through The Darkest Of Days” by From Her Ashes (8th Anniversary)

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Myroslav Borys (Confessions Of A Traitor, Last Hounds) at Jigsaw Audio in July 2015 prior to a January 2016 release, the sophomore EP “Through The Darkest Of Days” from Derby natives From Her Ashes blurs the lines between Progressive, DJent and Tech-Metal with consummate ease. The band describe their sound as “A blending of melody and brutality” from band “who write music that will tear you apart whilst cradling your head in comfort” and having witnessed them on several occasions at Tech-Fest over the past six years we have to agree!

The sequel to 2013 EP “In The Absence Of Light” begins with “Exist Strategy“, a track that places a thought provoking lyrical narrative alongside heavy dirge laden riffs with soaring mournful melodic leads. Perhaps exposing Scandinavian roots in Melodic Death Metal as an influence, some fleeting clean sung moments add a nice contrast to the harsh bark and bite. It’s a soundscape that you’ll want to bang your head to as well as sing-a-long with, a shining example of the high quality of song writing that this band are capable of when they put their heads together. Tech Metal leads with Sikth or Earthtone9 vibes change the direction on “There Is Always More Than One Way Out“, giving it a nice contrast between light and dark shades as the band paint the white to grey. A funky breakdown after a gang chanted “no shit son!” is a real moment, the transition between the two styles as slick as they come. Punchy and aggressive without overcooking it, this one is the work of a band with a great amount of confidence in their sound and their material. Approaching the nine minute barrier, “Blinded By Hindsight” feels like the conjoined twin of the previous cut, continuing the barrage of dirge laden angular riffs before pushing up into the DJent register. The band get gymnastic with they rhythms, attacking with wave after wave of distorted power until an almost ambient passage in the centre that has aching clean vocals offer a moment of clarify. A reminder that the future is not yet written and you can still turn the ship around no matter the circumstances, it haunts like her ghost in the fog before a gradual return to the heavier sounds and a thunderstorm of a final verse. The power From Her Ashes are able to generate is phenomenal and there is no doubt that their focus on quality over quantity with meaningful reflections and thought provoking lyrical narratives has served them well. Long live the Kings [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Exist Strategy
2. There Is Always More Than One Way Out
3. Blinded By Hindsight

“Through The Darkest Of Days” by From Her Ashes was released on 30th January 2016 and is available over at bandcamp