When not entirely familiar with the style of the music offering presented to me I actually like proceeding cautiously, in the form of little EPs, splits or 7” releases. In fact, for the multitude of promos passing through my desk I sometimes intentionally seek out shorter releases of bands (and styles) unfamiliar to me, so that my extreme music outlook can get broader. For the novice in me, it is often the way to catch a glimpse of a band, with a possible decision to delve in deeper later at some point.

From Ashes Rise presented exactly that opportunity, a crust punk band, not in active existence for almost a decade. The 7” just released by Southern Lord is an attempt then to climb back into the fray. Thinking crust punk, I was expecting something similar to Wolfbrigade, another Southern Lord release which stirred me up quite extensively earlier in the year. Portland, OR, purveyors From Ashes Rise, however, are quite a different animal, at least with a couple of tracks presented hereby. Way less brutal, without a hint of grind or death in their delivery, From Ashes Rise rely on hardcore/crossover downtuneness and anxiety in their delivery, the songs on the 7” more tuneful and melodic than they are punky and rebellious.

Rejoice the End begins with a foreboding, almost AC/DC Hells Bells riff, and the pressure continues to ratchet up from there, the anguished jumpy vocals repeating the song title mantra, proceeding to whip themselves into a frenzy. Percussive melodic breakdown midway provides only temporary relief from this brooding rising hysteria. Melodic guitar undercurrents quite audible, the song is a perfect vehicle to grab that imaginary air microphone and yell things out while alone, to take things off your chest. Rejoice the End, indeed. Rage of Sanity is a lot more “punky”, sped up and groovy, where From Ashes Rise gets to channel their inner Motorhead, what every self-respected punk band has to do at some point.

The crust punk label perhaps a touch misleading, I haven’t heard much of crust, D-beat rhythms or viciousness in this release. Haunting and melodic, however, From Ashes Rise undoubtedly are, and I wish them the most productive comeback.