ASHENT – Inheritance
- Posted on 03-09-2012
Third studio albums tend to be landmark releases in the metal community. They say you have forever literally to compose material for the debut release- and a very short time to come up with the follow up. But by that point in time in terms of band chemistry, composition, and stylistic direction, the hope is that as artists you’ve come up with your own niche and vision that enough people want to take your sound to new heights. This is the current atmosphere swirling in the progressive metal camp with Italy’s Ashent on “Inheritance”.
Complicating matters is the reshuffling of membership for the band- expanding to a sextet with the addition of keyboardist Gilles Boscolo, second guitarist Alessandro Cossu and ex-DGM vocalist Titta Tani. Ultimately the proof lies in the songwriting and performance aspect- and I believe Ashent has hit a proverbial home run with this expansive, thought provoking release. Imagine a rhythm section that can be jazzy and smooth at the right times, guitar harmonies that circle and swirl about from another universe, keyboards that fill the landscape as an assist and the diverse, professional vocal melodies bringing everything back with retainable hooks that keep you on the edge of your ears. Sometimes the guitar riffs are harsh and abrasive while the rhythms chaotically careen against serene keyboards for one moment- only to lift an arrangement into heights unforeseen like “Spider’s Nest” that melds Evergrey’s tension with classic Symphony X technique.
Guitarist Onofrio Falanga and bassist Gianpaolo Falanga seem unafraid to stretch the boundaries of their sound- “Renaissance” drenched in synth and electronic maneuvers while the guitars and bass provide more of an echoing atmosphere while “The Defiant Boundary” incorporates a flurry of heavier triplets and drum work from Davide Buso that would make Cynic/ Athiest fans very proud. 9 vocal cuts and 2 instrumentals gives the listener a 57 minute plus effort that needs a multitude of playbacks before you’ll grasp what Ashent deliver- but trust me the effort put forth is well worth the lifetime impact.
“Inheritance” throws down the gauntlet challenge to other progressive metal bands across the globe. Be unique, be bold, be brave- yet also construct killer songs. Ashent represents the real deal in all aspects.