Nuclear Blast - 2013
The latest band to claim "supergroup" status is that of Ashes of Ares. Consisting of 2 ex-members of Iced Earth (Matt Barlow, Freddie Vidales) and Nevermore's Van Williams, it's easy to get excited by the prospects of the talent involved. Consider that Matt Barlow, despite his long presence in the scene, has always been more of a side-player and this is the first time he's really been given full creative control and that just hypes things even further.
Obviously, there will be comparisons to Iced Earth made with this release. Barlow was always a defining characteristic of the band, even when he wasn't in the band, so it can occasionally be hard to separate this notion. However, it's also inevitable to say that older fans of Iced Earth will find plenty to enjoy about this release. It must be said that Ashes of Ares is without question, one of Barlow's finest vocal performances to date. He has one of the most identifiable voices in metal and he delivers the goods and then some on this release. His highs, gruff bellows, mournful harmonies, and everything in between is finely represented in top form.
Unfortunately, the music behind Barlow occasionally suffers from repetition and playing it safe. On the one hand, the heavier tracks like "Punishment", "Chalice of Man", "Move the Chains", and album highlight "What I Am" contain memorable riffing and thunderous drumming that gives an intense backbone to Barlow's varied vocal delivery. Album ballad "The Answer" sees Barlow at his most genuine (and much less sappy than some of IE's ballads) and provides another highlight. The remaining tracks linger around the mid-tempo speed for far too long and suffer from a lack of memorable riffs. Opener "The Messenger" just doesn't capture the ear as well as "Move the Chains" and closer "The One-Eyed King" just can't compete with the crushing tempo and fantastic chorus of "What I Am" before it.
While I am a bit critical of this release, know that I have enjoyed listening to it quite a bit. I just feel that an entire album at the strength of the songs that I mentioned would have really knocked it out of the park. Though hearing Matt Barlow's pipes is always a welcome treat, I am more eager to hear how the band will step things up with the next release.
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