UMUR
"Ashes" is an EP release by multi-national death metal act Sinsaenum. The EP was released through earMUSIC in November 2017. It bridges the gap between the band´s debut- and sophomore studio albums "Echoes of the Tortured" (2016) and "Repulsion For Humanity" (2018). The material on the 6 track, 27:19 minutes long EP is exclusive to this release...well almost. "Dead Souls" which closes the EP was also featured on "Echoes of the Tortured" (2016). It´s included here in a remixed version.
The material on "Ashes" continues the US death metal style of "Echoes of the Tortured", and it´s still Florida acts like Morbid Angel and Brutality, which are the main influences, although the music also features an occasional blackened edge. It´s technically well played death metal which is quite brutal but also relatively accessible and memorable. Bearing in mind the prolific musicians involved (Frédéric Leclercq, Joey Jordison, Stéphane Buriez, Sean Zatorsky, and Attila Csihar) it´s no surprise that the musicianship is on a high level on all posts. Zatorsky delivers his growling vocals in a convincing intelligible fashion, while Csihar compliments the death metal growling with his snarling higher pitched black metal style vocals.
As "Ashes" also features a powerful, brutal, and detailed sound production, you can put checkmarks on all basic features...high level musicianship, well sounding production, and effective and memorable songwriting. What you don´t get when listening to "Ashes" is a unique death metal listening experience. There´s a good chance you´ve heard other versions of these riffs, vocals, and drum patterns before, and while that´s a minor issue when the remaining parts are as great as they are, it´s still a slight issue. Therefore a 3.5 star (70%) rating isn´t all wrong.