2016 might be starting to wind down, but
there is no shortage of awesome releases still to come this year. One such
example is the upcoming debut EP from Ascalon, entitled “Reflections”. The
cover art might lean in more of a power metal direction, but this is simply
classic heavy metal. With their roots in the UK, it is no surprise that Ascalon
has a sound with tons of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden influence. Their rocking
music leans more towards the former, but there are plenty of Maiden-esque
harmonies scattered throughout this release as well. The band pushes the
dueling guitars to their limit on the title track, which opens with some of the
most daring and exciting guitar parts on the record. This stomping track will
do more than simply get your head banging, as it shows an inspired sound that
few modern bands have.
From an execution standpoint, “Reflections”
gets everything right. The production is excellent, with crunchy guitars that
sound great whether they're unleashing riffs or melodies. The vocals might be a bit far back in
the mix at times, but Ascalon really is a band where the guitar playing shines
the most. Their singer has a slightly limited range compared to vocalists like
Rob Halford or Bruce Dickinson, but he fits the music well. He is primarily
successful because of the effort he puts into his performance (there are a
couple of particularly great screams on this EP), which is true of the band as
a whole. “Reflections” is consistently energetic, and even if it does
occasionally slow down in a song, the band never sounds bored. “Red Leather” is
an interesting example where the verses move at high speeds, yet the chorus
slows down for a more simplistic approach. The result is a track that is
extremely memorable.
The best song, however, is “The Enforcer”. Not
unlike the title track, it opens with a wandering lead guitar piece (also
similar to the interlude that precedes “The Enforcer”). It doesn’t take long
for the track to explode into yet another rocking tune, filled with quality
riffs. The theme on this EP is pretty consistent, but at just 35 minutes, there
isn’t much time for “Reflections” to get repetitive. The final 3 tracks on this
release come from a demo the band put out in 2013, but you’d never know, as
they fit in line perfectly with the rest of the record (both in sound and
production quality).
Though “Reflections” likely won’t be seen
as a genre-defining record in 20 years, it will be one of those classic gems
that serious collectors need. There is more than enough interesting songwriting
and exemplary riffing to make this a worthwhile release. Ascalon has a lot of
potential, and it is likely that their best is yet to come, but until then, pop
in “Reflections” and enjoy!
Highlights
"Reflections"
"The Enforcer"
"Ascalon"
Final Rating
4.1/5 or 82%.
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