Back in 2003, Frost Like Ashes released their demo, Pure As the Blood Covered Snow. This was absolutely one very potential band, bringing Death/Black metal with extreme lyrics, more extreme than what I'm used to. But after this demo, it remained kind of silent. A full-length was on its way, but it never came. They were on Sounds of the Dead Records, but that disappeared. They were on Psycho Acoustix Records, but that went down, due to the passing away of its owner. He did bring the release to the printer, and eventually the band released the CD themselves, although the Pyscho Acoustix Records logo is still on the back. But here it finally is, Tophet, the long awaited album by Frost Like Ashes. Expectations are high, so I was rather curious if they could fulfill the expectations.
"I have seen the future... and you die". The guitars kick in and after a few seconds the Death/Black metal furiously blasts. That is how Tophet starts, and it couldn't have been a more fitting start. The sound is more towards Black metal than on the demo, probably also due to the extensive use of keys. The drums are awesome, Adonijah has become a lot better and delivers some very nice and quick drumming. Azahel's vocals are unique, to say the least. Even I, a huge fan of Death and Black metal, had to get used to them. But after a few plays, I started to dig them and realised they just really fit the music; the shrieking, screaming and grunting vocals, all by Azahel. The extensive use of keys really does add to the music. At some moments it makes the music sound more haunting, at other moments it adds a little melodic influence to an otherwise totally extreme and brutal song. Also the lyrics do not disappoint, as they are as extreme and harsh as I expected them to be.
My favorite song from Pure As the Blood Covered Snow, A Cruel Verse, is also to be found on this CD. And even though this version is way better than the original (the original actually sounds boring now), it still is one of the weaker songs on Tophet. Frost Like Ashes have grown a lot better, improved on everything a band could improve on and deliver one of the most interesting Death/Black metal albums in years. The vocals, overall up-tempo music and harsh lyrics make them one of the most extreme bands of the scene. A recommendation for fans of the extreme metal-subgenres.
Review by Max (February 06 - 2006)
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Tophet is the first full-length release from FLA and it does not disappoint! A nearly perfect hybrid of both death & black metal style and written & played with enough anger to go around. Track after track of aggressive and pulverizing metal that rivals some of their big-name influences. Lyrics that are well-written, and are confrontational and challenging. The whole package makes you want to just play it again and again. I recommend playing it-LOUD! Fave tracks for me are "A Terrible Visitation", "Nightfall" and "Execution by Fire". Get this CD!!!
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