Posted on: February 10, 2011 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

There are only four tracks on this album, which usually means that individuals will have a hard time trying to figure out exactly how a band like Raze To Ashes operates. A number of individuals (such as the previously-reviewed Cody Marks) have been able to go forth and create something coherent in four tracks, but by large, this is not something that typically happens. Raze To Ashes start off their self-titled EP with “Seven Seals”, a track that blends together the metal of earlier acts like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest with the bass guitars of a Korn and a Godsmack meets Disturbed type of vocals. Each of the tracks on this EP are under five minutes, which is something that works in Raze to Ashes’ favor. The simple fact is that the band could conceivably add another minute or so to the tracks on this EP and not have individual listeners slighted in the least.

The double bass drums on a song like “My Country Right or Wrong” further make rich the compositions of Raze to Ashes. The only major problem that one can have with this disc is that it is too short; the four compositions all taken together only add up to seventeen and a half minutes. Even when the band is trying to build up a foundation for their music by repeating the same riffs and arrangements (as is the case with “My Country Right or Wrong”), there is enough in the way of differentiation in each consequent iteration of the band’s arrangement to keep individuals interested.

The band is able to make political statements, and golly gee, there are actually lyrics stuck on the back of the CD case for anyone that is interested to go forth and read at their own leisure. While each part of Raze to Ashes is solid, perhaps the king of kings for this disc has to be the guitar work that litters practically every track on the disc. There are so many different sounds to the guitars on this EP that individuals do not know if the band is trying for the Iron Maiden, the Helloween, or even the newer sound with any one given riff. I want to hear more from the band and really can do nothing else but hope and wish that the band can get onto Candlelight or SPV to release their full length. The band is ready for the big time, as this short album shows.

Top Track: Irony of Us

Rating: 7.1/10

Raze to Ashes – S/T / 2005 Self / 4 Tracks / http://www.razetoashes.com / Reviewed 07 November 2006

[JMcQ]

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