Review: “Tales From Eternal Dusk” by Ashenheart

Formed in 2023 by multi instrumentalist and vocalist Amanda Kauffman (ex-The Paleblood Hunt), who is joined by fellow multi instrumentalist Steve Wiener (Am I in Trouble?, Negative Bliss, Tuffy) and vocalist and lyricist Alex Loach (ex-Firesphere), Transatlantic Black Metal trio Ashenheart rose to prominence with last years debut album “Faded Gold“. While that record was thematically based on the world of the Elden Ring, the groups sophomore record comprises four original tales of dark fantasy. Strictly not for the purist, the trio have been known to stray from the left hand path and dabble with the dark arts of Death Metal in their cryptic writings and this record is said to be no different. Recorded and mixed in house with mastering outsourced to Erik Peabody of Viking Guitar Productions (Outerburst, Six Finger Shred, Knight Of The Round) and artwork photography by Jane Driver-Loach, the question is, what does it have to offer?

To expand on the multi instrumentalist nature of this beast Amanda Kauffman performs electric guitars, bass and drums while being the principal song-writer with Steve Wiener handling synths, acoustic guitars, solo guitar and backing vocals, the pair based in Michigan and New Jersey respectively. Vocalist and lyricist Alex Loach hails from Hampshire in England with each member handling their own engineering and recording. Together the trio claim Extreme Metal as their own with opening cut “Empire of the Necromancers” having the air of something in the realms of Cradle Of Filth as it begins with a haunting melody and shriller caustic vocals and singular shrieks. He sounds nothing short of demonic as the war drums pound, the intensity and aggression of this cut outweighing the bands previous effort as they push their boundaries in all directions. The keys are glorious, adding a depth and texture to this Medieval tale of Witch country sorcery before an off kilter solo with Scandinavian roots rises to the surface, the final words “eternity in hell!” left ringing in the ears as it stops on a dime. “Apparitions Of The Abyss” then gallops across the muddy fields at breakneck speed, Death’s scythe raised and ready to behead the intended victim. Ethereal synths build the haunting atmosphere behind a wall of restless and relentless drumming, the guitars sweeping through with powerful rhythms and tasteful leads. It’s a wall of noise that crushes everything in its path, leaving nothing but ash and dust in its wake.

Sonically changing direction “Quest For The Secret Fire” then moves into Folk infused Black Metal territory with an acoustic melody in the lead guitars overlaying the abrasive electric ones. That only serves to enhance the rich darkness of the offering, which it has to be said is blacker than the finest coffee brought by Arabs on the silk road. Those acoustic guitars then fade out leaving us with an artillery shelling of percussive battery and pulsating rhythm guitars to keep us warm. By this point the lyrical narrative feels almost ritualistic with Loach roaring about dancing under a moonlit sky like a lunatic bound for the asylum. Before that can happen there is one more vicious tongue lashing in “Hymn To Silence The Light“, a punishment beating of a gift gratefully received. As with the previous cut this one incorporates an acoustic melody, however its every much buried in the mix and is almost more of a nuance under the weight of the other instrumentation. The lush solo on the other hand rises like a phoenix from the flames before some buzzsaw Death Metal riffs point the fickle finger of fate at HM-2 worship in amongst the bands rich plater of influences. All in all a collection that troubles the faint of heart and weak of mind while being an evolutionary step from what came before it [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Empire of the Necromancers
2. Apparitions Of The Abyss
3. Quest For The Secret Fire
4. Hymn To Silence The Light

“Tales From Eternal Dusk” by Ashenheart is out 18th April 2025 and is available over at bandcamp.