From Ashes Rise | ‘Rejoice the End’

Ever since I reviewed ‘Relapse,’ I’ve realised that we’re all getting on a bit. And that the best you can hope for when you hear new material from bands of a certain stature is that it’s not shit.

Thankfully, this isn’t the case with From Ashes Rise, who have chosen Southern Lord to release this new 7″. It has become quite the crusty label, hasn’t it? But they’ve had a good run with Wolfbrigade, Martyrdod and Burning Love. So let it continue.

Recently reformed, the status of From Ashes Rise in the underground needs no introduction from the likes of me. But (just to contradict myself), if you need one, pick up ‘Silence.’

Let’s just review the music.

‘Rejoice the End’ begins with feedback and a gently picked riff before those drums kick in (the power of Dave Atchison is unreal). But as the song continues, you begin to realise that it’s a pleasant summer listen. But the day that I describe From Ashes Rise as being “pleasant” is not a good one. Further proof is in the middle eight, where the lads indulge in a little Slint riffage.

As you can probably guess from the title, it is intended to be an apocalyptic type number. And I imagine that the more laid back music (compared to most of From Ashes Rise discography) is intended to reflect an atmosphere where the end is inevitable. Maybe it works better live, but recorded it doesn’t work.

The B-side, ‘Rage of Sanity,’ is business as usual. Fast, driving US crust punk that only From Ashes Rise can deliver. Nothing that stands out but is infinitely better than the A-side.

Not the most exciting comeback in the world, but ‘Rage of Sanity’ is an indication that a new album won’t be a complete disappointment. But look on the bright side, it isn’t ‘Relapse.’

2.9 / 5 – Christopher Owens ::: 08/07/12