Ashes of Ares – New Messiah
By: George Andritsakis
Review Score: 10
Ashes of Ares is a collaboration of true Power Metal Royalty. Former Iced Earth veterans Matt Barlow and Freddie Vidales got together in 2012 and started writing tunes for a yet unnamed project of their own making, alongside friend and former Nevermore drummer Van Williams. The debut album came out to massive appreciation and recognition from metalheads throughout North America and Europe.
Their second album, Well of Souls was unleashed in 2017, further expanding and adding more depth and an intensity to their sound that rivals anything they’ve done with Iced Earth. Take a listen to the monstrous trilogy of “Let All Despair”, “In The Darkness”, and “Spirit of Man” and you’ll see just how gifted Matt and Freddie are at writing massive storylines, something akin to Iced Earth’s Setian Massacre or the Something Wicked This Way Comes Trilogy.
By all accounts, album #3, Emperors and Fools (released in 2022) was my favorite of the band’s releases, with what can only be described as searing, pounding, hard rocking anthems interwoven with some very dark, and brooding tracks to balance things out nicely. My favorite track though, was a LONG awaited collaboration of Matt Barlow and Tim “Ripper” Owens, also of Iced Earth (and not to mention Judas Priest, Beyond Fear, KK’s Priest, or Yngwie Malmsteen fame), coming together for the ethereally epic “Monster’s Lament”, a track I still blast frequently (along with most of Ripper’s catalog, as he is one of my top 3 American Metal Vocalists, bar none).
Now it’s 2025, but Matt and Freddie have not been idly sitting around. Oh no, they have been hard at work in the studio coming up with release #4, New Messiah, and let me tell you something. It kicks heavy metal on its ass. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
New Messiah starts off with the idyllic instrumental “Novus Ordo”. Don’t let the opening classic acoustic guitar fool you though, it builds up into a sucker punch that sets the mood and tone for the rest of the album. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is how the boys open their live shows from here on out. Think of it like a 21st Century Ashes of Ares version of the mighty Judas Priest’s “The Hellion” before it rumbles into “New Messiahs”. “New Messiahs” can definitely be labeled as classic and true American Power Metal and would feel right at home on any Iced Earth, Jag Panzer, or Savatage album. Matt’s vocals are still top notch, in fine form, and you can tell he’s in this for the long haul.
Speaking of Matt, in a recent interview, he said he would love to do another project with former Iced Earth bandmate Jon Schaffer, whether it be an Iced Earth release or another Schaffer/Barlow Project. I do hope something does indeed come to fruition, as Iced Earth was, and is one of my most favorite and pivotal bands that formed me into the metalhead I am today. You add Matt and Jon in the same working environment, and you get pure metal magic. But I digress. Also, take a good listen to Freddie’s guitar work on “New Messiahs”. It’s a masterclass of power metal chuggery and riffage. This is definitely going into my playlists for my workouts.
“Two Graves” is a fast paced, chugging, two fisted juggernaut of pure power metal glory. This is the type of tune where Matt excels and shines at his best. A true headbanger tune if there ever was one, in the vein of Night of the Stormrider, Gutter Ballet, et al. Also, let us not forget the driving rhythm section of this powerful track, Freddie handles both the bass and guitar work with ease, but you know damn well he was letting loose in the studio when the record button was hit, you can feel it through the recorded results. “Where You Go” is a haunting plea in the same vein as Def Leppard’s “Two Steps Behind” only set to a more powerful, electric, metallic groove. Matt sings of pure devotion to a significant other, something most anyone can get behind and completely understand. This is by far the most heartfelt tune on the album thus far.
“Wake of Vultures” is a fast paced mosh pit starter. The instant the boys play this live, you’re gunna see multiple pits, walls of death, circles, and the rest of the carnage filled fun spots open up like the gates of heavy metal hell. Keep an eye out, you might even catch my ancient carcass in one. The tune itself is very chantable, designed to get fists pumping, pits opened, and the energy flowing. The bass is VERY bottom heavy though, and if you’re playing this in the car on your way to the show, you may loosen up a filling or two. “Atrophy” is guitarist’s dream tune. From the opening riff, to the driving backbeat and nasty, churlish attitude dripping from Matt’s vocals will definitely make this one of the big time favorites for the punters at the front of the barrier, banging their heads without a care in the world, letting loose all the pent up energy that’s building up inside. Then there’s the breakdown of Matt’s signature chanting/howling in the middle of the track giving everyone a slight break before continuing the ritual.
“Keep On Walkin’” is the standout tune on this whole album, completely different from anything else, about the closest thing to a ballad you’ll hear. Matt’s storytelling and vocalizations will make you break out your lighter (or cell phone flashlight these days, blech) and wave it around in rhythm with the song. Upon further listening, this song could also belong in a major movie soundtrack, it is incredibly well written, complex, and with a depth that I’ve never heard Matt reach, not even on Iced Earth’s Melancholy or I Died For You.
Freddie’s guitar solo is haunting, beautifully done, and very, VERY power ballady. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself subconsciously humming along, playing air guitar, or singing this tune at the most random times, as I have done the last few days. What a hidden gem. “The Hawk and The Dove” is classic old school American Power Metal from the days of yore. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you mistook this for a pre-Trash Alice Cooper tune. This far into the album and Matt’s still on his A Game, definitely giving the microphone a run for its money, earning its keep, as it were.
“Lust To Feed” is a tune drawn straight out of a vampire fever dream. Just listen to the lyrics “I feel you walking down the street, you know me, I need a bite to eat. Your sacrifice won’t go unnoticed, my love for you is like a virus”. Haunting and spooky, yet terrifying. Matt’s vocals at the lower end of the register further press the fact that this poor girl is doomed, and we’re here for the operatic carnage. “From Hell He Rides” is about the Marvel Comic Universe’s Ghost Rider character, in a tale that erupts in a mirth of hellfire, vengeance and full throttle power. This is more than just your typical Matt Barlow anthem, there’s good reason as to why this was one of the first songs with a video attached before release. You can’t stop rocking out to this banger. Not by a long shot.
Last but definitely not least are the CD-only bonus tracks. First up is “Infection Deception” sounds like the summarization of the Covid plandemic of 2020, and how masses of the worldwide population were duped and many needlessly died. Next up is the Elton John classic “And the House Fell Down”, only twisted and metallized in a way that only Matt and Freddie could do. Both are fantastic bonus additions to the CD releases, and I think I might be looking to getting myself both the vinyl AND CD versions, just to cover my bases, considering just how incredible and well done this album. Matt and Freddie really belted this one out of the park, more so than Emperors and Fools.
Genre: Heavy Metal, Power Metal
Label: Nuclear Blast, ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records (Distributing for Nuclear Blast in Greece & Cyprus)
Release Date: July 18, 2025 (Europe), August 8, 2025 (North America)
Playlist:
1. Novus Ordo
2. New Messiahs
3. Two Graves
4. Where You Go
5. Wake of Vultures
6. Infection Deception (CD Bonus Track)
7. Atrophy
8. Keep On Walkin’
9. The Hawk and The Dove
10. Lust To Feed
11. From Hell He Rides
12. And The House Fell Down
Lineup:
Matt Barlow – Vocals
Freddie Vidales – Guitars & Bass
Kyle Taylor – Guest Drums
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