Reviewed by Matt Anderson

Fantastic album, considering the budget available to Ashen Mortality to produce their CD debut. The album consists of seven tracks, all of which have outstanding moments whether striking guitar solo by Ian Arkley or a ridiculously complex bass riff by Tim Cooper. This album certainly has shades of Seventh Angel material (but far heavier!). Ashen Mortality represent the pinnacle of progressive lightness. The keyboards sometimes sound a little tentative and too abstract from the overall sound - often drowned in the sheer heaviness of the rhythm section, however, those keys are sounding far better than on the early demos. My favourite cut is unquestionably the title track (all 14 minutes of it!). Seventh Angel would have been proud with this song. Good old dark/thrash metal with a modern late '90s alternative sound. Almost baroque-death metal. Anyone who still enjoys listening to the old Detritus. Seventh Angel album buyers (as I often am) will be more than satisfied with this album. Likewise, anyone who enjoys the heavy side of alternative may want to investigate. It sounds better every time you listen to it.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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