UMUR
"Well of Souls" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US power metal act Ashes of Ares. The album was released through Rock of Angels Records in November 2018. It´s the successor to the eponymously titled debut album from 2013. Ashes Of Ares was formed in 2012 and is a three-piece consisting of Matt Barlow (ex-Iced Earth, ex-Pyramaze) on vocals, Freddie Vidales (ex-Iced Earth) on guitars and bass, and Van Williams (ex-Nevermore) on drums.
Stylistically the material on "Well of Souls" continue the US power/heavy metal style of the debut album. With Barlow on lead vocals, it´s hard not to make comparisons to Iced Earth, and it is indeed that act Ashes Of Ares have a similar sound to. It´s no surprise that the musicianship are on a high level on all posts considering the musicians involved in the project. Loads of well played riffs, melodic guitar work and solos, a hard pounding powerful rhythm section, and Barlow´s strong voice and considerable vocal skills in front.
"Well of Souls" is well produced too, although the drums could have prospered from a more organic tone and the rhythm guitars could have packed a bit more punch, but upon conclusion it´s another strong US power/heavy metal release by Ashes Of Ares. It´s not an album which holds many surprises, and not all tracks are equally succesful to my ears (the power ballad type track "Soul Searcher" is an example of that), but it´s overall a solid release within the genre. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.