From Ashes To New // “Blackout” Digital Deluxe Out On 7th June

Review By Dave Martin

From Ashes to New: Blackout (Deluxe Version)
 
From Ashes to New are an alternative metal band from Lancaster, Pennsylvania who’s musical influences stem from genres such as Rap, Rock and Nu- metal. The band consists of Danny Case on lead Vocals, multi-instrumentalist Matt Brandyberry on backing vocals, synths, bass and rhythm guitar, Lance Dowdle on Lead guitar and Mat Madiro on drums.

 
The band originally released their fourth studio album Blackout in July 2023, three years after their previous release, Panic. The album reached number 31 on the UK Rock charts but this position does not do justice to the brilliance of the album. The bands’ Nu-metal influences are clear to the listener and several tracks bring a level of nostalgia of the early 2000s when the genre reigned supreme. Tracks such as “Legacy” and “Dead to me” have strong Linkin Park influences particularly in the verses with Case channelling his inner Chester and Brandyberry raping in the style of Shinoda. Combining this artistic approach with the powerful percussion supplied by Madiro gives a more heavy undertone to the music which is extremely satisfying. The fusion of their influences with a sentimental throwback twenty years provides a well-blended style of music. The band have released several songs as singles from the original album which include the synth laden track “Nightmare”, “Until We Break”, “Hate me Too” and “Armageddon”.
 
The latest incarnation titled Blackout (Deluxe) adds six additional tracks to the original 12 released last year. Included in the six new tracks is recent single “Barely Breathing” that features vocalist Christina Constanza of Against the Current. This collaboration follows in the bands’ recent history of collaborating with female bands such as Eva under Fire. The juxtaposition of the two vocal sounds of Case and Constanza adds a new dimension to the band whilst staying true to their roots. The collaboration with other artists continues into the next track “One Foot in the Grave” where Aaron Pauley of Mice and Men lends his vocal influence to the song.  The final three tracks are variations of original songs from the 2023 Blackout album ending with an acoustic version of “Hate me too”.
 
My overall impression of the album is exceptionally positive. It is currently on repeat and will be for the near future. Having first heard the band in their collaborations I have only recently heard their individual work. This album has made me impatient to see the band live. To our readers over the pond in the US, Ashes to New are currently on tour with several dates remaining in June and July. Unfortunately, I will have to wait a bit longer to see them live but can’t wait.
Track Listing:

1. Heartache
2. Nightmare
3. Hate Me Too
4. Hope You’re Happy
5. Barely Breathing
6. Dead To Me
7. Monster In Me
8. Echoes
9. Armageddon
10. Legacy
11. Until We Break (feat. Matty Mullins of Memphis Mayfire)
12. Broken By Design
13. Barely Breathing (feat. Against The Current)*
14. One Foot In The Grave (feat. Aaron Pauley of Of Mice & Men)*
15. Live Before I’m Dead (Hours) *
16. Monster In Me (feat. Yelawolf)*
17. Nightmare (Sullivan King Remix)*
18. Hate Me Too (Acoustic) *
    *new bonus track