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5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

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Band
Ashes of Ares
Title
Ashes of Ares
Type
LP/EP
Company
Nuclear Blast
YOR
2013
Style
Power
Popular Reviews
9/13/2013 - Review by: Greg Watson
Can stand up with any of the modern or older power metal bands

Ashes of Ares
Ashes of Ares

Company: Nuclear Blast
Release: 2013
Genre: Power
Reviewer: ChaosLord

  • Can stand up with any of the modern or older power metal bands



    • Ashes of Ares...when the title track started, the voice that came blaring through my speakers was eerily familiar. After listening intently for a few moments and doing some research, I discovered that this voice was the resurgence of Matt Barlow accompanied by former Nevermore drummer Van Williams and former Iced Earth bassist Freddie Vidales. Ashes of Ares usher in a rebirth that is phoenix-like for these metal warriors.

    AoA self-titled album is an amalgam of the band members' time served in established bands as well as an infusion of their own styles. From the opening track "The Messenger" through the final track "The One Eyed King", AOA shows that they've honed their power metal skills. It's obvious by the vocals of Barlow that he has been keeping up his vocal practices. He wails and bellows in a voice reminiscent of his Iced Earth days while also throwing in some more guttural growls that really caught me off guard. Williams' drumming is just as solid as it was with Nevermore, if not better. Pound for pound, these songs can stand up with any of the modern or older power metal bands out there. My favorite track on the album is a ballad called "The Answer"; I feel it captures the essence of the band and features all of their strengths.

    Power metal fans, Nevermore fans and Iced Earth fans should definitely go out and pick this album up. For those of you wishing to see the band live, they will be performing at this year's ProgPower Festival. Don't miss this band or this album.



    1/1/2013 - Review by: Eric Compton
    Songs themselves are just missing flavor
    This is the highly publicized 'super group' featuring former Iced Earth singer Matt Barlow, and former Nevermore alumni Freddie Vidales and Van Williams. While much of Nevermore's rather abstract song compositions remains intact for this new endeavor, the album as a whole just seems lifeless. Kudos to Barlow for continuing his rich, soulful delivery, but the songs themselves are just missing flavor. I think much of the album suffers from a mid-tempo plague that keeps the band grounded. Here's forging ahead to record number two and hopefully a much needed improvement in terms of pacing not plodding.
    PERSONAL BREAKDOWN:

    ENJOYMENT
    MUSIC
    VOCALS
    PRODUCTION
    ARTWORK
    LYRICS


    • 2 :REVIEW COUNT
      3.5 :AVE RATING

    ALL REVIEWS FOR: ASHES OF ARES
    TITLE
    DOR
    COMPANY
    		 REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
    Ashes of Ares
    2013
    Nuclear Blast
    		Eric Compton1/1/2013
    3
    Ashes of Ares
    2013
    Nuclear Blast
    		Greg Watson9/13/2013
    4
    Well of Souls
    2018
    Metal Blade
    		Eric Compton11/17/2018
    3

    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: ASHES OF ARES
    INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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