ALBUM REVIEW: Ashes Lie Still – Ingested

So, it turns out four was a crowd for Manchester-based death metal mob INGESTED. After dropping to a three-piece, the lads release their latest offering two years after their previous full-length, the brilliant Where Only Gods May Tread. Being one member down has not meant the band has lost a single iota of brutality on their Metal Blade debut, Ashes Lie Still, however.

The eerie opening of the title track lures you into a false sense of security before it ferociously explodes into death metal mayhem. The feral bark of vocalist Jason Evans spits venom over the barrage of riffs and blast beats. It’s a hard-hitting intro, made only more gut-wrenching by its lyrical content. The tragic loss of guitarist Sean Hynes‘ father during the pandemic is the truly heartbreaking basis for the track. A haunting chorus joined by Julia Frau only adds to the tragedy of loss.  

Shadows In Time continues proceeding with urgency and features one of the album’s catchiest choruses. It will burrow deep into your brain and will make a home for itself for many days. It’s an early album highlight and a strong start. Hynes and Jeff Lyns are on top form throughout as their mix of groove and slam styles are marvellously partnered. They are true masters of a hefty beatdown but can also turn up the speed to kickstart those circle pits that would no doubt be in full spin during a live show.

Tides Of Glass ebbs and flows like its namesake, with moments of claustrophobia and a feeling of being swallowed by waves of riffage. It’s a powerful menace of a track that features a tasty solo at the midway point before inevitably crashing down into chaos. There is a great sense of improved songwriting on Ashes Lie Still. The thought process of how the songs are structured here shows major growth from the band’s humble death metal beginnings.  

As well as Julia Frau on the title track, there are a few tasty features scattered on the album. A filthy appearance from ABORTED‘s Sven de Caluwé adds an extra layer of dirt on top of an already beastly track in From Hollow Words. There’s also a match made in heaven on later album highlight All I’ve Lost, which features industry darling Matt Heafy of TRIVIUM. His trademark screams complement Evans‘ perfectly, including some sneaky clean singing in the hulking chorus.  

While Ashes Lie Still is heavy throughout, it is by no means a tough listen. For those looking to dip their toes into the throes of death metal, this album is a very good example of the genre’s more modern sound that is also reasonably accessible. Not to take anything away from its quite obvious brutality but there aren’t many curveballs or sharp left turns here. It’s an all-around solid death metal album that showcases fantastic songwriting and musicianship throughout. Anyone worried about the accessibility statement need not fear either, as Echoes Of Hate is a prime example of the band harnessing the power of their early work but pushing the boundaries of its pure carnage to allow the track to shine with their much-improved songwriting skills. It hits like prime Tyson with the final breakdown putting you on the mat with that knockout blow.  

INGESTED have once again shown that modern death metal is in trustworthy hands. Their Metal Blade debut is a vicious statement of intent, proving that they are no less dominant as a three-piece.  

Rating: 8/10

Ashes Lie Still is set for release on November 4th via Metal Blade Records.

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