Ashes Of My Regrets: Caricatures

Written by Robin Ervolina
The press release for Ashes Of My Regrets says, “If you’re a fan of headlining bands like Asking Alexandria, Crown The Empire, The Word Alive, Memphis May Fire, Bring Me The Horizon and Motionless In White …” well, hell, that’s my playlist lately, so I dive in eagerly, and find myself suspended in a pool of unearthly vocals, metalcore riffs and beats, and piercing lyrics. The five-part outfit’s new EP, Caricatures, combines inspired arrangements and expert musicianship that provides their fans with a sense of strength through release.
The opening track is an instrumental of sorts. It sounds like a record that has a groove so deep it keeps skipping and sticking. It plays like an auditory flashback. It’s a cringe; a blinking and shaking off of something that hurts or shames you as it comes to the front of your mind. With over screams, sound bites, and monologues, this dreamy intro sequence sets the stage for the emotional assault to come.
Lead singer Chris Ferland carries both the clean and unclean vocals. His growl comes from somewhere deeper than the ground. With a range that goes from hell to heaven and back again, he delivers his wrath over a slamming rhythm section, and the guitar work of a thousand nimble serpents. The synthesized underbelly supports the feeling that you can rise and recover, but pins you to the melody like a succubus.
Their first release, “Daydreams” is highly hypnotic. The synthesizers coming through my headphones cut my flesh so the music can run deep and the pain can bleed out. The driving melody and even rhythm feels transportive, but I’m scared to let it take me down because I think living where this song inhabits is a bad idea. I would, however, like to mosh with these guys, heartbreak for heartbreak, despair for despair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ole9wt-mlfM
“Fooled Me Twice, Now Pay The Price” is another standout tune. Ferland delivers a sharp message with inspired vocals. Anger and vindication are played out over off-the-chain drum work. When Ferland sings, “Wipe my name from your filthy fucking lips” my fist punches the air in a show of solidarity and an act of unbridled emotion.
I'm going out on a limb, but confidently, and saying this is not your average metalcore band. After a few spins, I have a solid bangover and I may have blown a speaker. There is something unique and special in their vocal and instrumental arrangements, and it beckons a listen. Ashes of My Regrets' debut Caricatures can be pre-ordered here. We’ll also be talking to them in the days to come, so check back soon.