Heavy Dreams
Formed by core members of underground metal mob Rinoa after the disintegration of that band, Ancients also includes Mehdi Safa (*shels) on vocal duties and Daniel Hoang (Crydebris) takes the drums. This is the band's debut single, (incidentally, released on Shelsmusic) and it packs quite an emotional punch.
The opener 'Constellations' sets the dreamy and epic tone, it charms you with twinkling little melodies and spine tingling echoed and distorted guitars and then batters you with huge riffs; Safa's vocals pierce the wall of sound with a warm uplifting cry and then on 'De Stella Nova' they float so ethereally that the lyrics are only just recognisable as words as they whisper in-between intricate guitars. The final track is an acoustic version of 'De Stella Nova' and it actually works better in some respects, taking things back to a slightly more stark arrangement brings out the vocals and those lovely guitar parts to great effect. The tracks are a lovely introduction to the Ancients sound and bode well for their new EP to be released early next year.