Into the Dark EP

Reviewed by David Pearce

Artist: Ancient Ascendant
Album: Into The Dark Ep
Label: Forepoint Records/Siege of Amida Records
Year: 2012

Track Listing

1. The Veil
2. Blood Calls
3. Driven By The Dark
4. Casting The Shroud Aside
5. Under Ancient Stone

Ancient Ascendant are pioneering a fusion of old school principles with modern dynamics and power, bringing together the unholy trinity of groove, melody and extremity under one flag. Since the release of their critically acclaimed debut EP “The Heathen Throne”, Ancient Ascendant have opened for black metal monsters 1349, death metal legends Bolt Thrower (who personally invited the band to support them), Fleshgod Apocalypse, Blood Red Throne, Aeon, Cerebral Bore, Amputated and Dyscarnate. 2011 was a hugely successful year for Ancient Ascendant, which saw them sign to Siege of Amida Records and release their highly rated debut album “The Grim Awakening”, as well as signing to the renowned Factory Music agency. The focus for the first part of 2012 was to get back into the studio to begin work on the follow up to ‘The Grim Awakening’. The resulting sessions spawned ‘Into The Dark’, the bands latest and most focused body of work to date. ‘Into The Dark’ is the crushing new release from British death metal standard bearers Ancient Ascendant. Brought to life under the expert guidance of the legendary Dan Swano (Opeth, Dark Funeral, Bloodbath, Katatonia, Marduk etc…) ‘Into The Dark’ sees the band raising the bar in every conceivable way. The band is also performing at Bloodstock Open Air Festival on the Sophie Lancaster Stage on the Sunday.

The first track on the EP is ‘The Veil’ an eerie but well done piece of instrumental, it does not prepare you for the full on assault until near the end of it which in turns goes straight into the second song ‘Blood Calls’, the song has some very good harsh vocals, the guitar work is superb with melodic riffs and intricate solos. The drums pounding the rhythms along with the guitars makes this a quality start to the EP and I’m very impressed with this so far. The Third song on the EP is ‘Driven By The Dark‘ which starts off with a cracking guitar riff before the harsh vocals come in then it all slows down a little with some good riffs before the pace quickens once again. This really is a quality song it gives you a bit of everything good, vocals, superb riffs, solos and pounding drum beats. The Forth song on the EP is ‘Casting The Shroud Aside‘ the song starts off with the sound of the wind with the drums giving a little beat before the vocals and guitars break in. The songs harsh vocals are a joy to behold on this EP they just keep getting better and better whilst the guitar work is brilliantly full of fantastic riffs and solos. The drums and bass keep the rhythms perfectly all the way through the song. The Fifth and final song on the EP is ‘Under Ancient Stone’ which goes straight for the throat with it pounding drums fantastic riffs and solos. The vocals on this song have picked up the pace a bit but goes very well with the rhythm and guitars riffs. Towards the end of the song you have a quality bass section which then goes straight back into the main riffs without skipping a beat.

Overall

Although I don’t normally listen to much Death Metal these guys have really turned my head and I can see why these have been announced for the Sophie Lancaster Stage at the Bloodstock Open Air Festival and based on the performance of this Ep these guys are going a long long way. In my opinion this was a great Ep full of harsh vocals, superb riffs, solos, pounding drums and basses throughout.

This is a true gem of the Death Metal Genre so keep an eye out for these as they will blow you away

8/10