Canada's Into Eternity have undoubtedly released one of the finest Metal albums of 2006. `Scattering of Ashes' is eleven songs which delicately blend, Power, Thrash, Melodic and Death Metal with technically, progressive proficiency.
Guitarist Tim Roth is musical mastermind... his eclectic, melodic guitar playing is as good as ever on this release, although not quite as flashy as on BiO, it seems much better grounded. Troy Bleich bass playing, when heard is fantastic, though a bit buried in the background, it provides a firm backdrop for Roth's guitar playing. Studio drummer, Jim Austin, is now not only their studio man but also a touring drummer. His drum work is incredibly precise and drives each song forward. The new edition to the band is vocalist Stu Block. His range, like former vocalist Chris Krall, is wide-ranging to say the least, from Halford-esc, uncharted wails to vicious death grunts and everything in between. (And I do mean everything)
Into Eternity made some waves in the underground with their previous album, Buried in Oblivion (2004) but with the release of their latest album and a spot on Dave Mustaine's `GIGANTOUR', IE are likely heading for greatness. Scattering of Ashes is easily on Par and may over time even surpass their previous greatness.
Favorite Songs: Out, A Past Beyond Memory, Pain Through Breathing, and Paralyzed.
-5 Stars
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The music speaks for itself
Dan | 02/27/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Take the best of black metal, the best of death metal, the best of power metal, mash it all together with a touch of progression and you get an artful blend of aggression and melody that is Into Eternity's "The Scattering of Ashes." A solid chunk of music that builds on the foundation of what is their own sound. From start to finish, this album never stops to give the listener a chance to comprehend what their ears have experienced.
The only negative thing about the album is the design and layout. It is unoriginal and boring for such a catchy and original piece of music.
Into Eternity has created a work of art that has put them in a league all their own. A must for one searching for music we all know and love in a whole new way."
Chuck Schuldiner Would Have Been Proud!!!!
Marcin M. Lewandowski | Salisbury, MD USA | 02/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of my favorite new bands whose entire discography (which I own) parallels the greatest achievements in classical music in excellence, have managed to resurrect both Death and Metallica from their respective graves (although both were dead on a different level). In fact, with "SOTE" IE deserves that "new Death" moniker, so richly bestowed upon them almost unanimously by critics everywhere, not only in metal...In a lot of respects as sensational as Mastodon, though not nearly as original or groundbreaking. The key to IE's brilliance is not so much in originality, for granted we have all heard it before, but at the proficiency with which they marry seemingly disparate styles of metal and music in general while NEVER sacrificing an ounce of brutality. Though highly melodic, last year's offering of IE is both their most crushingly savage and most creative to date. One of the best and the strongest bands in metal today, a proof that metal is still far from its decline...My personal number 4 on 2006 metal's finest, beats even Scar Symmetry (though by a narrow margin)..."
This Sure Ain't "Buried In Oblivion"
Larry D. Drain | Charlotte, NC | 01/26/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"The new edition (vocalist Stu Block) has killed the perfect vocal line-up w/ his ridiculous, overkilled "80's power metal" screams. It just doesn't fit & it ruins the few songs w/ potential on this release, which is a far cry from the last one anyway. There's nowhere near as much melody in the music & pitifully few vocal harmonies, further widening the gap from Oblivion. I keep listening ... hoping it'll grow on me & I'll somehow eventually get past the new festering puss-sore, nails-on-a-chalkboard style vocals, but it just ain't hap'nin.
Fortunately for the band tho, it would seem I'm the odd man out b/c all these other reviews seem to be raving. I sincerely hope no one else is as disappointed as I am. These guys have so much more talent & ability than comes thru on this cd. Better luck next time fellas."