By: Chris Bull
Album Type: Full Length (Reissue)
Date Released: 19/10/2015
Label: Argonauta Records
It's a masterpiece of post metal tinged doom. The riffs are straightforward but able to smash through concrete with the volume and vehemence of which they're played. The guitars are layered heavily to allow them to invade your consciousness and claim your brain. If you're reading this and have yet to listen to this album, stop wasting your time and listen at full volume!
‘Ashes’ CD//DD track listing:
1). Headwound
2). Ashes
3). Orissa
4). Justice
5). War on Drugs
The Review:
Ah memories! I remember hearing this album on Bandcamp in 2010; it blew me away then...and still does now! The good people at Argonauta Records have given this a re-release, marking 5 years since it was first available on CD. All other labels have sold out of CD versions long ago and that may give you a hint of just how amazing this album actually is.
The opening guitar noise and the brilliant sample from cult classic Pink Flamingos start the album off at the beginning of 'Headwound' and as soon as the drums get going, there's no letting up. It's a masterpiece of post metal tinged doom. The riffs are straightforward but able to smash through concrete with the volume and vehemence of which they're played. The guitars are layered heavily to allow them to invade your consciousness and claim your brain. 'Ashes' is mainly a dark psychedelic instrumental for the first 7 minutes before Jovan's voice burrows into your brain. A Neurosis-on-Ketamine beat pummels through after the breakdown of all other instruments and then is off into the wilderness again as the song builds back up. The Narcotic comedown of 'Orissa' is both harrowing and mesmerising. The guitars play a skeletal riff that lingers in the air like breath on a frosty winter’s morning. Jovan's distant howls permeate the frost while samples from Ridley Scott's Bladerunner work their way in.
'Justice' is a similarly epic affair, the riffs and drums showing perfect cohesion and the vocals casting a spectral shadow...then everything breaks down. Each drum is struck with malicious intent, making it truly mean something. The effects shriek and swirl in a glorious cacophony, beyond the striking of the final chord. 'War On Drugs' is the easiest song to nod along to, continuing the mid paced assault and battery and Jovan's vocals more rhythmical than in some other songs.
SUMA created a master class in blackened psychedelic doom on 'Ashes' that few have been able to match. It's a wonderful thing that Argonauta have rereleased this album again. If you're reading this and have yet to listen to this album, stop wasting your time and listen at full volume!
‘Ashes’ is available here
