EP Review: Ashlands – Ashlands III (Self Released)

Ashlands, the epic/atmospheric black metal duo from Foligno, Italy, will release their new EP, ‘Ashlands III’ on January 4th, 2025. It is the third and final chapter in a trilogy of EPs, which have been set and intertwined within the narrative universe of the Dreamland, as depicted in the first “Dunsanian” tales of horror master H.P. Lovecraft.

Take a very deep breath, because the Ashlands III experience is one that has suffocating power and intensity. Where immersion isn’t just a possibility, it’s a guarantee, but pulling yourself out is harder than it first may seem. All because Ashlands embody their concept, going deep within their own creative vision and infusing elements of Lovecraftian horror and fantasy into it. It’s an experience that takes hold, even if its experimental style isn’t immediately appealing.

It begins simply enough. Opal, an ambient and scene-setting introduction that has a soothing effect on the mind, and then in an instant, something changes and smoothly, it’s At the Shifting of the Tide and suddenly there’s a darker hue and tension in the air. Ashlands’ black metal soundscape, raw and harsh, but with layers upon layers of vibrant melancholy and atmosphere, has arrived and across a near ten-minute run-time, they create a disturbing and challenging experience that grows in grandeur step by step. Yes, it’s epic, but epic is to be expected based off the incredible concept alone.

Which is why it’s no surprise that the second track, Celephaïs, is even longer at twelve-plus minutes, but also that it’s as emphatically progressive, savagely blackened and remarkably atmospheric as anything madness can conjure up. The word that comes to mind, one of many to describe this track, and the EP as a whole, is distinctive. Setting the bar for creativity and originality high early on.

Impressively, it stands on its own two feet, but when combined with the previous releases, Ashlands have truly created something special here. It just needs a little time, a little bit of patience, and an open mind.

Ashlands – Ashlands III Track Listing:

1. Opal
2. At the Shifting of the Tide
3. Celephaïs

Links

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