Tracklist:

OK, when you think Copro Records, what do you think of? Modern Metal, Metalcore, Alternative Rock and Metal... So pretty much exactly the stuff that is the polar opposite of what I like. I am not sure, if I can remember a single Copro release that I actually liked, so the omens for this CD were anything but good.

So now I have SANCTORUM’s latest album “Ashes Of Redemption”, which is coming through via Copro, and to be honest, if the CD had not accidentally started playing, when I put it into the computer, I might not even be writing this review, but...this one is something different. The opening riff is definitely not Alternative or modern, the drums definitely are far more powerful and the roar of Aaron Sly that follows it up proves it: this is Death Metal, so this four-piece from Colchester definitely does not fall into the usual Copro category, I would say.

But a straight up Death Metal act these gentlemen are not, because there also are some clear vocals added to the mix, which might not be the most outstanding in the world, but they are not bad (they’d need some more power) and they add their flair, so works for me! “Carved In Stone” is the track that made me the reviewer of SANCTORUM anno 2008 and I am definitely thankful for that. Why? Because they have another hot iron in the fire with the lead guitar/solo abilities of Ash Lewis, who delivers them with passion and precision.

“Sorrow Of Man” embarks on a more traditional Death Metal journey, but once again borne by the solid rhythm section, Ash’s inspired guitar play and the good melodies thrown in throughout the track, this might very well be one of the best releases that Copro have put out to this date! “Against Us All” is one of my favourites, with the shout along chorus and the sudden double-bass acceleration bringing in a very nice set of dynamics...

Coming to think of it, musically the fellows are way more than just Death Metal, because here we get a little more groove, there Thrash is peeking through and they do it well, very well in fact! Sure, “Hope Of Salvation” with its calm guitars and equally calm clear vocals are a bit of an anticlimax within the dynamic and pretty heavy conglomerate the Brits have recorded here, but gradually the song adds elements and heaviness to in the end arrive at a comparable level as the songs before.

Surely we can detect some more modern guitar arrangements and grooves than the BENEDICTIONs and BOLT THROWERs out there do, but they are more an accent than the predominant feature and the modern bands rarely bring in a solo 16 seconds into the song, now do they? SANCTORUM do exactly that with the title track “Ashes Of Redemption”, which then walks the fine line between heavy riffing and catchy melodies, so it is even a little commercially viable without openly soliciting the mainstream audience.

Not all that glitters here is gold, though, especially towards the end some songs seem to be unable to recreate some of the early splendour, but it is never enough to drag the album down as a whole. Overall “Ashes Of Redemption” is a very nice surprise after the early dismissal as just yet another Copro release, give them a chance, if you can imagine liking a mix as described, this is a good one!