Ashes To Ashes
“Borderline”
2013
(Killing me softly)
The music is good. VERY good. Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, and As I Lay Dying. These are a few bands that come to mind listening throughout this 2012 release for Genoa, Italy’s own; Ashes To Ashes. There’s an incredible wealth of diversity and creativity amongst the writers of the group. Each song is catchy, memorable, and totally different from the previous track without ever losing your attention. I wish I could end this review right here, on a positive note. not wanting to delve into the issues I have here. But it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t go full monte here. The vocals: good gracious, what happened? A full band filled with tremendous talent and skill and a winning formula for themselves, and then powerless vocals with no projection from (former vocalist as of 2016) Marta Vassallo. It comes off as a lack of passion for what she’s doing, even though that may not be the case. It’s like she heard “Fully Alive” by Flyleaf and decided that she was just going to do a breathless version of that for the whole album. The music has all this energy and great composition, but then it risks falling flat on its face with such a pivotal role being carried out so weakly. Don’t get me wrong, Marta’s vocal ability in every other facet is decent enough to match the rest of the group. She can hold her notes, write solid melodies, and interesting lyrics. But there’s no “oomph” behind them. No drive. No passion. Marta would make a fantastic backing vocalist, but as the center of attention, It’s just not working for me.
At the end of the day, all that matters is how the songs make you feel while you’re listening. And these songs make me feel great. It’s intense, soaring, driving, and catchy as all hell. I found once I simply ignored the vocals, my listening experience greatly improved. Imagining that the vocals are merely a support for the music, rather than the music being a support for the vocals. on a more positive note, new vocalist for the group; Giulia Sarpero, is absolutely phenomenal and a much better fit for the band. Overall, this band is great, and they’re only just getting started.
Tracklist:
1. Alice’s Song
2. Ballad Of the Wolf
3. Borderlines
4. Sleep
5. Paradox of Perfection
6. Hydra
7. Change
8. Fire Of Desire
9. Empty Bottles and Tears
10. Vain
11. Home
https://www.facebook.com/ashestoashesband
http://www.ashestoashesband.com/
Members:
Marta Vassallo – Pianist/vocalist
Paolo Schiavi – Lead Guitar
Enrico “Wuky” Cabona – Guitars
Paolo “Pol” Di Lorenzo – Drums
Stefano Anentodio – Bass
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
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