ASHEN REIGN

"An Angel's Burden" (Self-produced; 2011)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

"Ashen Reign is One Vision, One Purpose, One Goal. Music played with emotion, passion and integrity." Brent McDaniel is the one man vision and band behind Ashen Reign.

Music with a complete band can have so many elements working with each other that a collective sound is sure to emerge. Strip the other three or four (or even five) members away and could that band stand alone with one person representing the music? That is just what Brent McDaniel has done. He is Ashen Reign, and he provides all the music, all the emotion and all of the avenues for you to follow him.

Metal music has become somewhat predictable and when you've heard the same tired riff over and over you start to lose interest. Ashen Reign breathes life into the unique metal song with an insight that you can hear when Brent plays a riff, or breaks out a melodic solo. Fans of hard rock and metal will find something to relate with. With Ashen Reign, Brent does his craft with purpose and I guarantee you will be impressed with his musical prowess.

You can sample some of the music from "An Angel's Burden," plus four full streaming songs,on his official website. He is about getting the music to the people. This is his second release. Check the links at the bottom to find out more information.

Ashen Reign is: Brent McDaniel - All Guitars, Drums, Vocals, Bass, Keyboards and other effects.

For more information, check out http://www.ashenreign.com or http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002190168134.

"Immortality" (Self-produced; 2008)

Reviewed by Jeff Rogers

This is Ashen Reign's first disc and what a raw and melodic disc it is! I reviewed Ashen Reign's "An Angels Burden" first but I always like to go back and start with a band's first disc to see how far they have come. Ashen Reign is really one man who plays everything and it's great to hear his sound develop and grow into the powerhouse it has become. I feel like I've been invited to his first show and it?s an honor!

The guitar is muddy on a few songs but the melodic solos come in and smooth away any rough edges. The vocals are more in your face and in 2008 Brent was experimenting with his sound and attempting to put down on disc his talents so you can experience it too. His guitar riffs are solid and his solos are beautifully crafted. My favorite track is the closer, "Happy Go Lucky." It's got Brent soloing to an instrumental track that just blows away anything I've heard in a long time.

You can buy this disc for just $5.00 or the MP3 for $3.00. It?s a great musician's effort to support.

Ashen Reign is: Brent McDaniel - All Guitars, Drums, Vocals, Bass, Keyboards and other effects.

For more information, check out http://www.ashenreign.com or http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002190168134.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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Copyright ? 2012 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 01 Jul 2024 12:10:25 -0400.