| Written by Alex Stojanovic TRACK LISTING Consuming The Mana The Alien Unworthy Soul Searcher Sun Dragon Transcending Let All Despair In The Darkness Spirit Of Man Time Traveller The God Of War You Know My Name (Bonus track) Release Date: November 9, 2018 Label: Rock Of Angels Records Website: www.facebook.com/AshesOfAres |  |
ASHES OF ARES IS:
Matt Barlow - Vocals / Freddie Vidalez - Guitars & bass / Van Williams - Drums (session)
Jonah Weingarten - Keyboard intro composition (session)
Matt Barlow - Vocals / Freddie Vidalez - Guitars & bass / Van Williams - Drums (session)
Jonah Weingarten - Keyboard intro composition (session)
While many people continue to miss Matt Barlow in Iced Earth, the man will always be musically active in between his regular career serving and protecting the public as a cop. In 2013, he and fellow ex-Iced Earth member Freddie Vidales formed Ashes Of Ares, released their self-titled debut album that year, and have gone on to play some shows in the U.S. and Europe over the next couple of years. Ever since that album came out, people were wondering if there would be another album. News that the band were working on a second album first came about in 2017, but it was earlier this year in the spring when the album was announced that it was getting close to seeing the light of day. The wait is now finally over, as the band's second album Well Of Souls is finally here. Is it a worthy follow-up to the first album? This review will answer that question. Let's get into it.
As one would expect, Barlow is absolutely on fire vocally. He brings so much passion and emotion, and it's amazing how he can switch from soulful and soaring to heavy and gritty so seamlessly. It's obviously hard to not think about Iced Earth when you hear Matt's vocals, and there are certainly moments on here that will make you do that. However, I would have to say that the track with the biggest Iced Earth vibe on this album is "Let All Despair". The clean guitar notes in the intro, the layered vocals, and the overall flow, all immediately make me think of "Watching Over Me". The riffing and solos from Vidales are just as much at the forefront of this album as Matt's high class vocals. Heavy riffs and epic harmonies dominate the album, and some of the best heavy riffs can be found on tracks like "Consuming The Mana", "Sun Dragon" and "In The Darkness".
The production also plays a big factor in the overall quality any album, and the production on Well Of Souls is certainly more than satisfactory. None of the instruments drown each other out, which is key for me. Towards the end of the album, a small selection of songs get a little hard to tell apart. I found myself needing to check the title of a couple of songs again while listening, which can be annoying sometimes, I'm not going to lie. Aside from that, Matt and Freddie have delivered a really good, but not exactly spectacular, follow-up to the debut album. If you loved the first album, or just Matt Barlow's vocals in general, there's no doubting that you'll love Well Of Souls. Pick this album up when released and look for any Ashes Of Ares tour dates.
Highs: Two words: "MATT BARLOW!"
Lows: A small handful of songs get a little difficult to tell apart.
Final Rating: 7.5/10
As one would expect, Barlow is absolutely on fire vocally. He brings so much passion and emotion, and it's amazing how he can switch from soulful and soaring to heavy and gritty so seamlessly. It's obviously hard to not think about Iced Earth when you hear Matt's vocals, and there are certainly moments on here that will make you do that. However, I would have to say that the track with the biggest Iced Earth vibe on this album is "Let All Despair". The clean guitar notes in the intro, the layered vocals, and the overall flow, all immediately make me think of "Watching Over Me". The riffing and solos from Vidales are just as much at the forefront of this album as Matt's high class vocals. Heavy riffs and epic harmonies dominate the album, and some of the best heavy riffs can be found on tracks like "Consuming The Mana", "Sun Dragon" and "In The Darkness".
The production also plays a big factor in the overall quality any album, and the production on Well Of Souls is certainly more than satisfactory. None of the instruments drown each other out, which is key for me. Towards the end of the album, a small selection of songs get a little hard to tell apart. I found myself needing to check the title of a couple of songs again while listening, which can be annoying sometimes, I'm not going to lie. Aside from that, Matt and Freddie have delivered a really good, but not exactly spectacular, follow-up to the debut album. If you loved the first album, or just Matt Barlow's vocals in general, there's no doubting that you'll love Well Of Souls. Pick this album up when released and look for any Ashes Of Ares tour dates.
Highs: Two words: "MATT BARLOW!"
Lows: A small handful of songs get a little difficult to tell apart.
Final Rating: 7.5/10
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