Artist: Ashes of Ares
Title: Throne of Iniquity
Genre: Heavy Metal
Release Date: 18th December 2020
Label: ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records
Review Flash
There are voices you hear once and it is completely impossible to ever forget about that moment in time, one of these voices is that of Matt Barlow (ICED EARTH, SCHAFFER/BARLOW PROJECT, WE ARE SENTINELS, CAULDRON, PYRAMAZE). Matt was the vocalist of ICED EARTH, the first Metal band I fell in love with and the first band I ever saw live in concert (Ok, NEVERMORE played right before on the same stage but I was waiting for ICED EARTH and at that time I did not realize what a perfect billing that was). He and ICED EARTH parted ways before I began to write so this is the first time I get to review something of him. Man, Matt did not age voice-wise, to listen to him sing is still just an epic experience every fucking time. The new song ‘Throne of Iniquity’ is rather typical ASHES OF ARES than a typically ICED EARTH sound alike (say what you will about Jon Schaffer but I recognize his riffing in a second and I love it). Of course, this ain’t a bad sign I just added it for clarification, some might buy it and expect an ICED EARTH sound. I hope Matt and Freddie won’t crucify me for this but: the cover songs are what I like best about this, to hear ‘Dust in the Wind’ from Matt Barlow is just a big surprise and it has an epic sound to it.
Conclusion: All in all, this is a very good and tasty appetizer for the next full-length of ASHES OF ARES which, of course, will too be reviewed by yours truly.
Rating: 8 / 10
