Ashbird: The Edge Of Reality

The Edge Of Reality is an apt title for the debut album from Ashbird - well the four young lads in question do hail from Torquay in England, which may as well be the edge of reality in terms of good solid, and pleasantly eclectic Rock Music. The band's ages range from 18 to 23 (and they have the spikey hair and bad fringes to prove it!), but the first impression given from the nine track on The Edge Of Reality, is of a band with a far greater maturity, maybe down to the fact guitarist Matt Chalk has previously worked with legendary Led Zep and Elton John producer Stuart Epps. It would be a strong exaggeration to suggest that Ashbird are trying something blindingly new, or overtly innovative, but having the confidence to alter attack and style from song to song does mark Ashbird out as a band with the confidence to stretch out and go against the norm.

At their best when they are firing out ferocious scattergun riffs, the likes of "Damnation" and "Hypnotize" smack home with convincing authority, with an eye on early Ozzy, but with a touch of Bluesy authenticity that the likes of The Answer have been hunting out for years. The grittier title track heads off into early Pearl Jam territory, although with far more snarling bite, something the fiery guitar solo adds to, while the Black Country Communion like slow build of nine minute long "Battle Cry" comes complete with a swooshing, wailing theremin solo a la Joe Bonamassa! Add to that mix, acoustic strumming that reminds of Zeppelin's "Ramble On" on the album's title track and the Bob Mould/Sugar like "Across Divides" and you really do have an album that cleverly changes mood from song to song, but in a way that never leaves you befuddled as to why it all fits together so nicely.

Ranging from Ozzy to Eddie Vedder or Chris Cornell to the aforementioned Mould, singer Aaron Burke has the ability to alter his strong, powerful range to easily fit his surroundings, while in guitarist Chalk, Ashbird really do have an ace in their pack, both in terms of his six-string dexterity and his impressive production and mixing skills. Due to the flip-flopping of styles The Edge Of Reality does take quite a few listens to really hit home, but given time Ashbird really do begin to hit the heights!

Track Listing
1. Scratch The Surface
2. Damnation
3. Out Of Mind
4. Face The Light
5. My Duality
6. The Edge Of Reality
7. Battle Cry
8. Across Divides
9. Hypnotize

Added: February 25th 2012
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Ashbird.co.uk
Hits: 3309
Language: english

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