ASHES OF ARES have released their new official video for their latest album’s title track “Emperors and Fools”, which released on January 21, 2022 via ROAR! Rock of Angels Records!
Music & Lyrics by Matt Barlow, Freddie Vidales Matt Barlow filmed by David Brodsky and Allison Woest for My Good Eye: Music Visuals Freddie Vidales filmed by Adon Fanion Produced by Allison Woest (Barlow) and Adon Fanion (Vidales) Edited by Brandon Yeagley, Allison Woest, and David Brodsky Production Assistant: Robb Brown Special Thanks to Adam Kerrick and Grant Kerrick
“Emperors and Fools” was released on January 21, 2022 as digipak CD and digital streaming and download format and on March 5, 2022 as limited Turquoise/Black Splatter Vinyl (300 copies worldwide), limited Red/Black Splatter Vinyl (300 copies worldwide).
Ashes Of Ares: Matt Barlow – Vocals Freddie Vidales – Guitars, Bass Guest: Van Williams – Drums
“Emperors and Fools”, the new album by ASHES OF ARES is out today and the legendary duo of Matt Barlow and Freddie Vidales wanted to celebrate this special event by sharing a brand new video for the song “Gone”!
“Emperors and Fools” was released on January 21, 2022 as digipak CD and digital streaming and download format and on March 5, 2022 as limited Turquoise/Black Splatter Vinyl (300 copies worldwide), limited Red/Black Splatter Vinyl (300 copies worldwide).
Music & Lyrics by Matt Barlow, Freddie Vidales Matt Barlow filmed by David Brodsky and Allison Woest for MyGoodEye: Music Visuals Freddie Vidales and narrative filmed by Adon Fanion Produced by Allison Woest (Barlow) and Adon Fanion (Vidales) Edited by Brandon Yeagley and David Brodsky
Starring: Linnea Brown Ash Guell Kai Guell Special thanks to Adam Kerrick and Grant Kerrick
Ashes Of Ares: Matt Barlow – Vocals Freddie Vidales – Guitars, Bass Guest: Van Williams – Drums
Legendary Heavy Metal duo ASHES OF ARES, featuring Matt Barlow, announces the release of their third studio album “Emperors and Fools”!
Nine years after forming ASHES OF ARES, Matt Barlow and Freddie Vidales return with their third full-length album “Emperors and Fools”. This album sees the duo take the darkness and aggression from their previous album “Well of Souls” to a higher echelon. The writing process began almost immediately after “Well of Souls” was released. As usual, it was a true collaborative effort between the two, with ideas originating from one or the other, then evolving and being refined to what is presented on “Emperors and Fools.” The album flow is designed to keep the listeners on edge while bringing them from fast, heavy, pounding anthems to somber, melancholic, emotional pieces. The album ends with the eleven-minute long epic “Monster’s Lament” which features the long-imagined joining of forces between Matt Barlow and Tim Ripper Owens.
“Emperors and Fools” will be released on January 21, 2022 as digipak CD, limited Turquoise/Black Splatter Vinyl (300 copies worldwide), limited Red/Black Splatter Vinyl (300 copies worldwide) and digital streaming and download format.
• Produced by Ashes of Ares • Mixed and mastered by Byron Filson at Villain Recording, Phoenix, Arizona • Drums recorded by Ed Warrin of LCS Productions • Artwork by Kamil Pietruczynik
TRACK LIST: 1. A City in Decay (Intro) 2. I Am the Night 3. Our Last Sunrise 4. Primed 5. Where God Fears to Go 6. Emperors and Fools 7. By My Blade 8. What Tomorrow Will Bring 9. The Iron Throne 10. Gone 11. Throne of Iniquity (CD Exclusive Track) 12. Monster’s Lament
Ashes Of Ares: Matt Barlow – Vocals Freddie Vidales – Guitars, Bass
Guests: Drums on all tracks by Van Williams Keyboard intro composed by Jonah Weingarten 1st solo “The Iron Throne” by Wiley Arnett of Sacred Reich 2nd solo “The Iron Throne” by Charlie Mark 2nd solo “Monster’s Lament” by Bill Hudson Guest vocals “Monster’s Lament” by Tim Ripper Owens Keyboards “Monster’s Lament” by Brian Trainor
Jimmy Kay from The Metal Voice spoke to former singer of Iced EarthMatt Barlow, current singer of Ashes of Ares in a video Skype. Matt Barlow is set to release his new Ashes or Ares album called Well of Souls on November 9 2018 on Road Records. Barlow spoke about his musical history with Iced Earth, the reasons from him exiting the band twice, his thoughts on the re-recordings of the old Iced Earth albums with Stu Block on vocals and the musical direction on the upcoming album Well of Souls.
Watch the interview here:
When asked about the musical direction of the new Ashes of Ares album Well of Souls compared to the debut
“The new album is a bit different from the last album, some ideas were established throughout several songs so we have a trilogy type set up with this and Well of Souls is a kind of concept within that idea and story line. Without giving too much away, in a big picture aspect it’s our connection as living beings with our living earth. It’s sort of a horror sci -fi kind of concept. The whole album does not have a theme but there are some elements that are in parallels. We have a song called Sun Dragon, that is kind of like an earth ending story. A lot of these ideas are about a grander scale, our place in the Universe and then there are some personnel songs as well. Also I threw in another vampire tune which is kind of an ode to novelist Ann Rice which is our only ballad on the album. I would say overall with this record there is a lot more darkness than in the last one. Another song is the God of War which is kind of an Hommage to our band name.”
When asked about his thoughts on Jon Schaffers plans on re-recording his first five or six Iced Earth albums with Stu Block on vocals
“Whatever I contributed to the writing of the songs I will still receive payment, from a financial aspect. If people want to buy the record again that’s great for me financially because I still get writing credit for it. In regards to performance rights I signed away my performance rights in the past. I got paid for my performance I don’t have a problem with it because if they re-do the record it doesn’t hurt my feeling at all and the original records will always be out there. ”
“It is so hard for musicians to make a living, so if Jon Schaffer can make some more money to keep Iced Earth going more power to him, it is his livelihood, it’s his company. Just like I hope that the original singer Gene Adam was not offended when i re-did his vocals on Days of Purgatory.”
Nuclear Blast Records reports that After launching a video contest in early November, ASHES OF ARES vocalist Matt Barlow (ex-ICED EARTH), drummer Van Williams (ex-NEVERMORE), and guitarist/bassist Freddie Vidales (ex-ICED EARTH) wish to thank all the fans who submitted a video entry for the album track ‘Chalice Of Man’.
The band members have deliberated and are proud to announce their First Place Grand Prize Winner, Thomas Pfundt from Germany, whose video will be uploaded to ASHES OF ARES’ official YouTube channel:
Thomas will also receive:
• Video will be uploaded to ASHES OF ARES’ YouTube channel
• Skype interview with ASHES OF ARES member
• Signed drum head (used in recording session)
• ASHES OF ARES signature guitar picks
• Autographed 5×7
• Oversized poster
• »Ashes Of Ares« debut album in Blood Red Vinyl (import) version
• »Ashes Of Ares« debut album in digi-pak version
• Oversized car window sticker
• Tour t-shirt
• Warrior t-shirt
• Girlie t-shirt
• Band patch
The two runners-up are:
• Second Place: Paula De Castro Garreto from Brazil
• Third Place: Felix Hanke from Germany
Congratulations to Thomas & all the aspiring filmmakers who submitted a contest entry.
According to Nuclear Blast Records, US Metal act ASHES OF ARES, featuring vocalist Matt Barlow (ex-ICED EARTH), guitarist/bassist Freddie Vidales and drummer Van Williams (ex-NEVERMORE), have revealed a new documentation video, filmed during their first show – on their tour along with POWERWOLF, BATTLE BEAST and MAJESTY – in Paris.
Watch the 11-minute documentation here:
Three weeks ago, ASHES OF ARES also set up a very special competition for all of their fans & aspiring filmmakers from around the world, in form of a video contest. It is an invitation for each and all of you to express your own creativity by making a music video for the track ‘Chalice Of Man’ of the bands self-titled debut record. The contest will end on Friday, December 6th, ASHES OF ARES members will select three winners & notify them by December 13th, 2013.
Stated frontman Matt Barlow: “Brothers and Sisters! ASHES OF ARES and Nuclear Blast invite you to create a video for the song ‘Chalice Of Man’. We are really excited to see what you pull from your twisted little minds to combine with our vampiric vision. The NB family will give due diligence to deliver your demonic delights, so have fun… and good luck!”
FIRST PLACE PRIZE
• Video will be uploaded to ASHES OF ARES’ YouTube channel
• Skype interview with ASHES OF ARES member
• Signed drum head (used in recording session)
• ASHES OF ARES signature guitar picks
• Autographed 5×7
• Oversized poster
• »Ashes Of Ares« debut album in Blood Red Vinyl (import) version
• »Ashes Of Ares« debut album in digi-pak version
• Oversized car window sticker
• Tour t-shirt
• Warrior t-shirt
• Girlie t-shirt
• Band patch
SECOND PLACE PRIZE
• »Ashes Of Ares« debut album in Blood Red Vinyl (import) version
• »Ashes Of Ares« debut album in digi-pak version
• Oversized car window sticker
• Autographed 5×7
• Oversized poster
• Tour t-shirt
• Band patch
• ASHES OF ARES signature guitar picks
THIRD PLACE PRIZE
• »Ashes Of Ares« debut album in digi-pak version
• Autographed 5×7
• Oversized poster
• Tour t-shirt
• Band patch
• ASHES OF ARES signature guitar picks
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 