Row of Ashes are a bit of a hidden gem here in the UK.
Their last album, Bleaching Heat (2022), was a real mind-blower and their new one, Tide Into Ruin, is arguably even better thanks to the time they’ve spent honing their craft in the years since:
Playing a furious and abrasive mix of sludge metal, noise rock, and chaotic post-hardcore, the trio conjures a terrifyingly gargantuan sound both live and on record, and the three of them were kind enough to list a few of the more hardcore and adjacent records that influenced Tide Into Ruin.
Excellent choices, lads!
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Kiss It Goodbye, She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (1997)
“Feral and dissonant, unfiltered and confrontational, yet meticulously crafted, She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not is hardcore at its most searing. It leans into noise rock and brushes up against sludge without ever fully absorbing either, carving out something jagged and distinct. I’ve loved this record since it dropped; in my humble opinion, it surpasses the member’s preceding project, Deadguy.”
Standout track: "We’ll Burn That Bridge When We Get to It"
-Will Turner Duffin (guitar)
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Incendiary, Cost of Living (2013)
“Straight-up hardcore with no filler, Cost of Living is fiercely focused and relentless. Tight, stomping rhythms, punchy riffs, and vocals that carry a raw energy reminiscent of Zack de la Rocha, it had me hooked from the start. I saw a video of their This Is Hardcore set around the time this came out; a band firing on all cylinders.”
Standout track: "Primitive Rage"
-Will Turner Duffin (guitar)
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Amenra, Mass IIII (2008)
“Probably the best live band around right now, they somehow manage to be angry and sad at the same time. Mesmerising and powerful, emotionally devastating and overwhelmingly heavy. I happened to see them play around the time writing started for Tide… and have had it on repeat since .
Standout track: ".De Dodenakker."
-Chris Wilson (bass)
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Nostromo, Bucephale (2022)
"Nostromo are one of those bands who have been a continued influence (on me) over the last 20 or so years since they released their masterpiece Ecce Lex - a furious grind/Relapse Records-style metalcore hybrid. I was not expecting a return in 2022 that updated their sound for the modern era yet retained their intensity and core sound, yet here we are. Every bit as exciting and vital as their original run. Brutal yet intricate, atmospheric and violent.”
Standout track: "A Sun Rising West"
-Chris Wilson (bass)
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Converge, You Fail Me (2004)
“Around the time we started writing Tide Into Ruin, we had this on a lot while driving to shows. The thing that stands out the most for me on the record are the dynamics and jagged edges. Takes you on a journey, getting more gritty and brutal throughout.”
Standout track: "Last Light"
-Dan Arrowsmith (drums)
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Will Haven, Voir Dire (2011)
“Love this record that manages to be raw and dissonant, but also has layers that make it sound absolutely huge. Somehow when you see them live they get even heavier.”
Standout track: "Lives Left to Wither"
-Dan Arrowsmith (drums)
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Tide Into Ruin is out on black vinyl, CD, and digital via Road to Masochist.
Row of Ashes on social media: Facebook | Instagram
Tagged: our biggest influences, row of ashes
