EOWYN - BEAUTIFUL ASHES

I’d heard the name of Eowyn (outside of the obvious Lord of the Rings reference) a year or two back, but had no idea what this would sound like. The name garnered my attention but not more, at least not until a friend of mine asked if I’d review this if he got me a copy. (Thank you James.)

Well I received Beautiful Ashes in my mail box about two weeks ago and I’ve given it more than a cursory spin. Her bio indicates she’s played with Thousand Foot Crutch, Disciple, and Seventh Day Slumber and with a release like Beautiful Ashes one can see why. However there isn’t a ‘modern rock’ feel to this release. More old school hard rock in style, even though this album is anything but Old School.

Strong melodies with solid arrangements that are just catchy. Enough crunch in the guitar department to snare the most ardent rock hound and literally leave you wanting to hit replay when the album is over. Songs such as Fail Safe open with a strong keyboard arrangement that is backed a powerful six string attack. Much like album opener You Had To, commercial elements populate a driving musical force.

With a strong title track that is punchy and potent such as the one here, you have no choice but to pay attention. The hook will not only stay with you, but it will make you hum it for a long time to come. With components of hard rock, metal guitars, strings, and industrial electronics the music effortlessly moves from pounding rockers to sweeping ballads.

With strong production elements, (as I understand it this was a Kickstarter project) courtesy of Travis Wyrick (Pillar, POD, Disciple), he has blended together a strong array of sounds and given them top flight handling. A sonic assault that is even tempered but highly energetic and full of emotion and LIFE. This is music made by artists and musicians who GET IT.

Eowyn’s passionate vocal is driven by the message she presents, not one of retread slogans. The message roots itself in reality with its misery and pain, but still the reminder and offer of hope is still there. And it’s a message of hope she has experienced herself.

I didn’t know what to expect when I opened this disc, but I’m glad I did. It’s a solid collection of modern sounding hard rock, which flows with a richness that exceeds the genre. It might not be heavy enough for some but for many this will be a welcome breath of fresh air.

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