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From Hell: Ascent From Hell

Ascent From Hell

(From Hell)
Label(s): 
Genre: 
Release Date: 
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Grade:
C
Tracks: 
10

"Heavy metal horror", that's the description, or a partial one, of what the band From Hell uses for the style of music they play. This is not a style of music that I can say that I knew about but now that I've given it some thought there has been some bands that plays this kind of music. While most metal is just a lot of yelling and heavy guitar over some drums all being played and sung fast, From Hell does try to make their music with an extra edge of fright. Not that I was scared while listening to it I can see this king of music being played for the credits of some low budget slasher flick. Though I didn't know about heavy metal horror music was before I now do thinks to the efforts of From Hell on their new album "Ascent From Hell".

As I did listen to the album for the first time I did have the thought that the lyrics where pretty grim and a bit on the unusual side. After reading the description of the band I realized why I thought that and then I knew why the lyrics was such. The songs do have a horror movie style meaning to them, it really becomes clear that they do with the knowledge that the band is going for such a meaning with their songs. From the first song, "Standing At The Mouth of Hell", this band was not going to be one to take it easy on the speakers and ears. Every song is loud, it's hard, and it's full of lots of loud screams and lyrics that make you cringe at times. I like the idea that From Hell is going with on the horror story telling in their songs. It gives this album a feel of being told a story or given a brief description on different horror movies.

This music is very high energy where it does not slow down from start to finish. Which I enjoy, it gets the heart pumping, at least the instrumentals do. They are loud, they are fast, they have power but they don't have vocals that match them. Sure the songs do have the intense beats are played well and the guitar riffs are what they should be for heavy metal but the vocals where not what I expected when George Anderson started singing. His voice is a little shrill at times, it's as if he's putting too much strain on his vocal chords as he screams out the lyrics. It don't sound as powerful as the instruments and the lyrics make the songs out to be. Instead it just sounds like what it is, a guy that's doing a lot of very loud screaming and shouting while singing. I was impressed with the way they made their music have a horror story feel, I liked the instruments, the energy and power of the songs are high up there, but the vocals just couldn't match the same level.
 

Lee Roberts
Review by Lee Roberts
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