Ascalon - The Black Library (2025)
Posted: 09 Apr 2025, 11:15
Ascalon - The Black Library (2025)
Year : 2025
Style : Heavy Metal
Country : United Kingdom
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 86 mb
Bio:
Formed in 2014 in the grim north of the UK, Ascalon are a no-nonsense traditional heavy metal band focussed on the power and glory years of metal. Following a demo and 5 track EP in 2014 and ’16 respectively the band are back with their first full length effort ‘The Black Library’.Drawing influences from the glory era of metal, Ascalon are ready to spread their message of steel across the globe.
Album:
Debut album released on March 28, 2025.Despite a raging debate regarding the human legitimacy of the skeletal maw of Ascalon's latest, one thing's certain: fans of Amulet, Midnight Force, Seven Sisters and Twisted Tower Dire are in for a treat as the British quartet's no frills, straight-to-the-point full-length assuages classic nwothm yearnings which know nary limits.Having already hit for the cycle with a split (alongside World shakers Asomvel, Eliminator and Wytch Hazel), a demo, an EP and a single since its advent in 2012, it was high time for the experienced lads to deliver an official album, the reasonably lengthed The Black Library...one where you'd do well to return your tomes on time, lest you get swallowed whole and spat out into a dimensional rift...dominated by artificial intelligence, the kind which takes a perverted joy in illustrating album covers.Admittedly, it took a few spins to fully latch on to Ascalon's vigorous brand of eclectic riff mastery, but by the time the stunning Ronnie James Dio tribute and closer, "Edge Of The Rainbow", rolls on by, I'm sold forever, left lauding the band's merits to high heaven and back. It also confirms the fact that every day, there's new talent to discover and look up to. Putting their own colourful twist on Iron Maiden's classic twin guitar approach, Ascalon readily carves out its sound here.Following synth born intro, "Prospero Burns", opener "Thousand Sons" introduces the gruffly epic front man's homeward bound mid range - the opposite of Bruce Dickinson, but it regally suits this craftily sizzling fare complimented by a vast number of creatively energetic guitar solos. (Comparable to fellow praise-smith Blaine of Banger TV likening an overload of awesome leads to a marshmallow surplus in a kid's cereal box, during his fun Mean Mistreater spiel.)Another great hallmark of The Black Library lies in how it's nigh impossible to retain anything from it after the initial listen; it's definitely a grower, unlike, say, Amulet's The First, which pulverizes seven ways 'till Sunday right off the hop. It also feels like the album gets increasingly better with each track. They're all excellent, yet I find myself lurking in the first half's shadows, revelling - without "Revelio" - like a true minion in the basking glow of "No Worlds Left To Conquer" (only this one, eh?).Additionally, I'm hoping "All Empires Fall" is a clever nod to Califonia's Ancient Empire, a further powerful, grass roots heavy metal act we'd love to hear from again. The brief after-burner "Staff Of Stars" rules as well, and "The Eye Of Horus" constitutes a judicious cheese and wine pairing with Maiden's Powerslave (which features one of my all-time favourite leads ever.) In essence, Ascalon's The Black Library rivals Doctor Who's Library At The Edge Of The Universe, in terms of cryptic coolness.
Line Up:
Matt Gerrard - Vocals, Guitars
Craig Devlin - Guitars (2023-present)
Vince Scott - Drums
Tracklist:
01. Prospero Burns 02:21
02. Thousand Sons 04:01
03. The Black Library 03:48
04. Event Horizon 03:46
05. No Worlds Left to Conquer 03:54
06. All Empires Fall 05:42
07. Staff of Stars 02:58
08. Eye of Horus 03:53
09. Edge of the Rainbow 05:22
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
Year : 2025
Style : Heavy Metal
Country : United Kingdom
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 86 mb
Bio:
Formed in 2014 in the grim north of the UK, Ascalon are a no-nonsense traditional heavy metal band focussed on the power and glory years of metal. Following a demo and 5 track EP in 2014 and ’16 respectively the band are back with their first full length effort ‘The Black Library’.Drawing influences from the glory era of metal, Ascalon are ready to spread their message of steel across the globe.
Album:
Debut album released on March 28, 2025.Despite a raging debate regarding the human legitimacy of the skeletal maw of Ascalon's latest, one thing's certain: fans of Amulet, Midnight Force, Seven Sisters and Twisted Tower Dire are in for a treat as the British quartet's no frills, straight-to-the-point full-length assuages classic nwothm yearnings which know nary limits.Having already hit for the cycle with a split (alongside World shakers Asomvel, Eliminator and Wytch Hazel), a demo, an EP and a single since its advent in 2012, it was high time for the experienced lads to deliver an official album, the reasonably lengthed The Black Library...one where you'd do well to return your tomes on time, lest you get swallowed whole and spat out into a dimensional rift...dominated by artificial intelligence, the kind which takes a perverted joy in illustrating album covers.Admittedly, it took a few spins to fully latch on to Ascalon's vigorous brand of eclectic riff mastery, but by the time the stunning Ronnie James Dio tribute and closer, "Edge Of The Rainbow", rolls on by, I'm sold forever, left lauding the band's merits to high heaven and back. It also confirms the fact that every day, there's new talent to discover and look up to. Putting their own colourful twist on Iron Maiden's classic twin guitar approach, Ascalon readily carves out its sound here.Following synth born intro, "Prospero Burns", opener "Thousand Sons" introduces the gruffly epic front man's homeward bound mid range - the opposite of Bruce Dickinson, but it regally suits this craftily sizzling fare complimented by a vast number of creatively energetic guitar solos. (Comparable to fellow praise-smith Blaine of Banger TV likening an overload of awesome leads to a marshmallow surplus in a kid's cereal box, during his fun Mean Mistreater spiel.)Another great hallmark of The Black Library lies in how it's nigh impossible to retain anything from it after the initial listen; it's definitely a grower, unlike, say, Amulet's The First, which pulverizes seven ways 'till Sunday right off the hop. It also feels like the album gets increasingly better with each track. They're all excellent, yet I find myself lurking in the first half's shadows, revelling - without "Revelio" - like a true minion in the basking glow of "No Worlds Left To Conquer" (only this one, eh?).Additionally, I'm hoping "All Empires Fall" is a clever nod to Califonia's Ancient Empire, a further powerful, grass roots heavy metal act we'd love to hear from again. The brief after-burner "Staff Of Stars" rules as well, and "The Eye Of Horus" constitutes a judicious cheese and wine pairing with Maiden's Powerslave (which features one of my all-time favourite leads ever.) In essence, Ascalon's The Black Library rivals Doctor Who's Library At The Edge Of The Universe, in terms of cryptic coolness.
Line Up:
Matt Gerrard - Vocals, Guitars
Craig Devlin - Guitars (2023-present)
Vince Scott - Drums
Tracklist:
01. Prospero Burns 02:21
02. Thousand Sons 04:01
03. The Black Library 03:48
04. Event Horizon 03:46
05. No Worlds Left to Conquer 03:54
06. All Empires Fall 05:42
07. Staff of Stars 02:58
08. Eye of Horus 03:53
09. Edge of the Rainbow 05:22
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/