Track Review: “In Depths” by From Her Ashes

The audio confessions of Derby Tech-Metal quartet From Her Ashes may be few and far between but it has to be said, they are perfectionists. They specialise in quality over quantity, operating at their own speed and putting out polished tunes to help you breathe more easily. 2013 saw the release of their first EP “In The Absence Of Light” which was followed by a second in “Through The Darkest Of Days” in 2016, both an unholy trinity of cuts and both outstanding. Since then performances at Tech-Fest and Rabidfest have kept the fires burning, the waterfall release of three standalone singles, two of which appeared in 2022, shinning like a distant star on the darkest of nights. Recorded and Produced by Myroslav Borys (Confessions Of A Traitor, Last Hounds) at Jigsaw Audio 2024 and released on 9th May 2024, “In Depths” explores the challenges of living with depression…

…a bleak and harrowing lyrical narrative about being lured in death by drowning by dark thoughts of chains and concrete boots will resonate with anyone who has been through or is still going through any form of anxiety or depression. That feeling that you’re trapped in the ocean swell, cold and alone, isolated from those around you by the rising tide one captured perfectly by vocalist Joseph Gunn. There is no woe is me mantra to it, the grit, integrity and emotive qualities shinning through like the first chinks of light through black clouds after a raging storm. An accompanying soundtrack of punishing mid-tempo sonic abrasions, thunderous percussion and staccato riff breaks gives everything a menacing sense of perpetual darkness, the turn around on the riffs giving you that glitchy, tension filled edge that the Australians do so well. It sends a chill down the spine as the walls around you crumble with the tectonic plate shifting bass line, the groove drawing you into that slow headbang without you even realising you’re doing it. Polished, powerful and purposeful, “In Depths” is another heavyweight cut from a band that specialise in them, so don’t sleep on this… [8/10]