Sanctorum - Ashes of Redemption

From the moment album opener 'Carved in stone' grinds to a halt you just know that this could possibly be one of the best albums you have heard in a while. The Robb Flynn like vocals rip through the song on a wave of monumental rhythmic riffs before being replaced with Nick Holmes style melody for the chorus. There is no let up as the main riff that runs the length of 'Sorrows of man' would have The Haunted moshing. The hardcore like shouts that accompany 'Against us all' add another influence to an already overflowing pot of metal brilliance. These influences range from classic metal, metalcore, thrash, right up to a slightly more commercial metal feel, but never once does the album get bogged down. These genres are taken and given a Sanctorum-enough twist to make the songs their own.

The solos throughout the album by lead guitarist Ash Lewis are some of the best around. Each solo not only shows off the sheer musical ability of their player, but also have a uniqueness which ties them to the song. One such example is two thirds of the way through 'These killing hands' where a basic guitar workout turns into the best Iron Maiden solo that the Eastenders haven't penned yet! Aaron Sly's voice is on top form from start to finish, handling the grating Dark Tranquillity/Machine head style vocals with ease while the backing vocals lend a more melodic edge when needed on several tracks.

Album fillers are not on the menu as the likes of the slow to mid-paced 'Hope of salvation' and the pity the sadness-esque versed 'Call to arms' continue to strip paint from the blackened walls well into the albums later stages where as 'Tales of a horror' must have one of the catchiest choruses of the decade without ever straying into Trivium territory.

Sanctorum have delivered a set of crushingly sculptured songs which will make the metal world sit up and take notice.

By the way, no matter how good you think this album is, Sanctorum are even better live....