Review: Ashes Of Ares – New Messiahs 

ROAH (July 18^th, 2025)

Reviewer – David Pearce

Ashes of Ares are a heavy rock band formed by Matt Barlow, the lead vocalist and Freddie Vidales, who takes care of both guitar and bass. For this album they are joined by drummer Kyle Taylor. Although they have been together 13 years, ‘New Messiahs’ is just their fourth album.

The first track, ‘Norvus ‘Ordo’ is a guitar track with a religious sounding chant in the background, clearly to fit in with the idea of ‘New Messiahs’. It is a fairly good track to listen to on record, but I think it would be even more effective live. Next, we have the title track. The chant over the top of the guitar and drums takes it up a notch but when the growling vocal of Barlow starts we are into Slipknot territory as it gets extremely heavy with thundering bass and virtuoso guitar solos courtesy of Vidales and incredible drumming from Taylor. It is a statement of intent from a band determined to pound their message through at maximum volume.

‘Two Graves’ is once again as heavy as it gets but the guitars have a more intricate melody to work with as a point of difference. It makes the song a really effective example of what the heaviest end of the genre can sound like. ‘Where You Go’ brings the noise level done with a more restrained rock ballad sound to the vocals and a Spanish guitar that works really well. I like the different sound and it’s definitely a standout track in the first half of the album.

‘Wake of Vultures’ ramps up the sound again with the drums once again taking centre stage and moving the song along in the wake of its thundering percussion. ‘Infection Deception’ is, musically at least, a heavy take on the mid 80s style rock music but none of those singers had Barlow’s voice which threatens the listener with its anger and power.

‘Atrophy’ does not waste away. Instead, it starts the second half of the album in a furious fusion of drums and guitar that just soars through the speakers with power and energy. ‘Keep on Walkin’’ once again proves how adept Ashes of Ares are at developing the more laid-back songs on the album. It certainly packs a punch, but Barlow shows a real ability to put across more restrained tracks. It’s a really excellent track that is my favourite original track on the album.

‘The Hawk and The Dove’ moves the dial up a notch and works well alongside the previous track in terms of musical content. Once again, there is a more melodic side to this track alongside the heaviness that showcases the ability of Barlow and Vidales to write a fusion of styles that work really well. ‘Lust to Feed’ has an air of menace to it that is testament to the interplay between music and vocals. It creates a track that is extremely atmospheric, and which will sound great live.

‘From Hell He Rides’ is the penultimate track and once again shows the contrast between the two elements of Ashes of Ares sound. They give the listener a challenge but one which fans and new converts alike are going to enjoy meeting. The final track is a cover of ‘And the House Fell Down’ by Elton John! It’s from the later album ‘The Captain and The Kid’ so it will almost certainly be unfamiliar to most listeners unless they have taken a deep dive into his catalogue. This choice proves inspired as Barlow has fun with a song that really rocks and shows that if you give the songs a twist you can bring something new to the most unlikely of covers.

This is an album that will require and deserve your full attention. Lyrically and musically it continuously challenges you to keep up with it, and it shows that Ashes of Ares are an innovative and interesting band.

Tracklist:

1. Novus Ordo 
2. New Messiahs 
3. Two Graves 
4. Where You Go 
5. Wake Of Vultures 
6. Infection Deception 
7. Atrophy 
8. Keep On Walkin’ 
9. The Hawk And The Dove 
10. Lust To Feed 
11. From Hell He Rides 
12. And The House Fell Down

Line-Up:

Matt Barlow – Vocals
Freddie Vidales – Guitars, Bass
Guest drums by Kyle Taylor

Web Links:

Official Website

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