Once you’ve discovered this Merseyside band there’s no going back. You are immersed in their music, you can play the debut album ‘Homecoming’ over and over and it remains a voyage of discovery. If you saw them open at the Steelhouse Festival in 2022, you will know how absorbing their music is live and with an army of fans they sell out shows wherever they play. Ashen Reach are a modern metal rock band, who incorporate new ideas and transitions, adapting and changing, so the overall results are fresh, original and immensely powerful.
An EP that has five songs which address peoples fears, it opens with ‘Ghosts’ and it’s a track that has all the Ashen Reach trademarks. After the chime of keys, the guitars strike, producing a mass of chords that fly in all directions. There’s a basic thudding behind Kyle Martyn Stanley’s vocals, that mark his presence and combine to increase the strength of this track. At four minutes long there are plenty of elements that could invoke the spirits, I like the way it drifts from gritty riffs to the finely tuned symphonic notes. Kyle’s participation is outstanding, his voice is remarkable. ‘D1v1DE’ is about those that have the power to spread hatred and use scare tactics. A profusion of guitar bombardment makes way for gentle vocals, then the song enforces its grip. Diverse and enchanting, the levels rise and those multi riffs are heard between the brief moments of calm. Jess Stanley’s drumming is constantly keeping the rhythm on course and the verses slide in perfectly. ‘Neophobia’ is the fear of change and AI is a relatively new scaremonger. A broad expanse of sound on this track, seeping into any crevice it can find. A building riff revolves and Kyle enters with lyrics revealing anxiety and suffering. More melodic samples towards the end with the occasional growl, generates even more surprise.
Many people are afraid of ‘The Dark’ and this is one that really captures that fear. All begins with mindful vocals and a simple chugging guitar, then it reaches the pinnacle, the most aggressive piece of guitar churning I’ve heard for a while. Kyle’s screams and howling are like a troubled soul in the middle of the night. As they progress it’s turned around with a haunting melodic interlude, before that churning riff returns to take it out, remarkable track. ‘Lost’ is the final song and the official video by Joe Stanley, is a pictorial masterpiece, watch it below. Haven’t we all had nightmares about being lost, or where we have panicked in unknown surroundings, this takes that fear further and grasps the worrying thoughts with imaginative skill.
The innovation of Ashen Reach has surpassed all others by producing an EP, that tackles our most distressing fears. Hostile and brutal riffs with melodic chords and supreme vocals, all five tracks are without parallel.
THE FEAR is available now, visit the ASHEN REACH pages below for more info.
‘Hostile and brutal riffs with melodic chords and supreme vocals, all five tracks are without parallel.’
Band Members
Kyle Martyn Stanley – Vocals
Paddy Cummins – Lead Guitar & Vocals
Jess Stanley – Drums
Joe O’Sullivan – Rhythm Guitar
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https://open.spotify.com/artist/7c9c3pUdBeyiObak7xHFnG
CREDITS – Producer/Bass: Phil Dyer Mixed & Mastered: Mark Roberts Vocals Engineer: Kofi (GoPlay Studio Liverpool) Drum Engineer: Tony Draper Orchestral Arrangement: Jess Harvey
