Customer Reviews

Leave No Ashes

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Typically I'm not a huge fan of so-called "throwback" bands. They usually rub me the wrong way in some capacity, and I probably wouldn't have even picked up this CD had I not seen these guys open for A Perfect Circle on June 12. I'd seen their album "Fall of the Plastic Empire" in the stores and read some reviews, but never gave it a shot. The show opened with the title track "Leave No Ashes," and I can't say I was exactly hooked. By the end of their set, however, I was salivating. "Heart Full of Black" was one of the rockingest, most energetic songs I'd heard in a long time, and "To Kill a Swan" had simply some of the best lyrics and the best bassline I've ever heard (I know that's a weird thing to notice, but the hell with it).

I bought "Fall of the Plastic Empire" hoping to find these tracks (I didn't know the titles at the time) and was dismayed not to find them. I'd also learned that "Leave No Ashes" wasn't due out for another two weeks after the concert. I immediately purchased this CD the day it came out, and I haven't stopped listening to it. "Leave No Ashes" has all the essential elements of a rock cd...catchy hooks, rebellious lyrics, and Dimitri's definitely got the rock voice. If you want a nonpretentious album that's fun to listen to without being campy and is catchy as all hell, pick this one up.

This group has talent in spades. The first thing that came to mind after a couple of spins is a modernized version of 80's Cheap Trick. You can also feel a bit of a Beatlesque and punk influence, and some southern syncopated rhythm structures (circa. Black Crowes) and Motorhead grittiness. I bet the music just jumps out at you live. Balls out hard rock? Maybe it could be. The writing content has heavy conotations, but the execution put to music is on the lighter side, with a few forays into heaviness. I would recommend this album for those fans of dark, heavier music who want an occasional break from the noise and want a quality musical diversion with a band who can PLAY. These guys will be big, they have that mainstream type of appeal.

First things first: the 3 stars you see above do NOT represent the original, 12-track edition of Leave No Ashes. That album, with or without these two b-sides, gets 5 stars hands down, no questions asked. Okay [pause]. If you took the time (and $$$) to check out the b-sides from the Fall Of The Plastic Empire singles and/or imports, you were probably impressed. And not just mildly impressed, but rather "hey-these-songs-are-better-than-the-entire-album!" impressed. It was/is my opinion that "Overhead Metal Erection", "Steramine" and "See You Empty" are better than anything on the Brides' entire résumé (although it took a while for them to grow on me, and my initial reviews for said singles were far from just). So because of those brilliant b-sides, I went out of my way to find this particular import for the two songs "We Miss The Sun" and "Been Knocked Down", which, to my knowledge, are the only two b-sides from the Leave No Ashes release period. And the results? Although certainly not bad, they weren't what I was hoping for. But my expectations might've been too high to begin with.

"We Miss The Sun" reminds me of LNA's "Last Man Standing", although the lyrics are more upbeat here (e.g. 'I remember the way those perfect days would unfold / always when I was with you' or 'I loved the way that you used to shine all over me'). It is a slow-moving track, and I can maybe see why it missed the cut, even though I would rank it above the likes of "Dance With The Devil", "To Kill A Swan", "Another Teenage Suicide", and "Pleasure In The Pain". The second b-side, "Been Knocked Down", isn't so providential in its quest to be worthwhile. The title and lyrics may lead you to believe it is unforgiving ('been knocked down a million times / but I'll never hit the floor')--hard and rocking--when it is, in fact, hardly rock at all. Like "Pleasure In The Pain", it has an acoustic feel throughout while it doesn't even outdo "Pleasure" or the acoustic version of "Arctic Snow". I don't want to say I was heartbroken after listening to it the first time, but I definitely was not awed in the way I had wished. It's not a bad b-side; but it's not a good a-side.

Whether or not my take on those two tracks makes you think twice about buying this, ask yourself how much you love the Burning Brides. If they are one of your top five or perhaps even top ten favorite bands, I would recommend buying this. If you are just getting into the Brides, meaning you only kinda love them, and only know their 22 album tracks, I would suggest looking for an import version of Empire with the aforementioned three b-sides. But at least find them SOMEHOW. Then, if and when they are one of your favorite bands whose every song you must own, buy this. I waited a while upon getting this to see if the songs would grow on me like the Empire b-sides, and really only "We Miss The Sun" did, a little bit. I am by no means upset that I bought this, but (nevertheless) it's only getting 3 stars....

Okay this is a band that will always be dogged by rock fans for the rest of their lives. And to be honest, the Burning Brides should be hounded by those who critize, because those naysayers cannot do. That 'do' is make a good, balls out rock album. While the last three tracks are good, the rest of the album is great. A kick in the ass for rock (and rock needs it).
I have seen these guys live four times since March 2003, when they opened for Audioslave, and Cornell even said: These guys are the f-----g saviors of power trio bands.
And he's right.

I am sadly surprised to find all the negative reviews of this album. Apparently, the polished, professional flow of this album doesn't sit well with some Burning Brides 'fans'. I, too, thought Fall Of The Plastic Empire was the perfect album, but I also believe this album to be slightly better. There is in fact a mainstream, radio-ready feel to most of the songs on Leave No Ashes, but nothing's wrong with that. And what about songs like "King Of The Demimonde" or "Vampire Waltz"? There is an obvious coarseness in Dimitri's voice. Or how about midway through the title track when his voice shrieks loud enough that it could literally blow your speakers. Is that not what rock music should be? I don't know; I'm puzzled by most of these reviews. This is a terrific album.

Since my two favorite Brides' songs are b-sides from the FOTPE singles ("Overhead Metal Erection" and "Steramine"), I'd say there are three songs on here that are better than anything from Empire: "Heart Full Of Black", "Vampire Waltz" and "King Of The Demimonde". That's the main reason I feel this album's better. "Heart Full Of Black" is a catchy, quick-paced rocker that never lets up and features some odd but witty lyrics. "Vampire Waltz", the epic closer, highlights an absurdly eerie tone throughout, the inclusion of an organ, and the timeless line: 'you can climb your way out of every fxckin hole that you have ever dug / but you can't climb out of your grave once all the damage is done'. And all I have to say about "King" is... 'I WANT YOU GONE!!'. That's not radio friendly, I can tell you that. Outside those three 'hits', two more sleeper tracks are "From You", with more of an (amiable) upbeat pop feel and excellent lyrics; and "Last Man Standing", with extra gloomy lyrics and tendencies. "Century Song" has more of a country sound, but in a good way. "Come Alive", more of a hard rock tune, takes witty lyrics but doesn't quite bring them to life as well as "Heart Full Of Black". "Pleasure In The Pain" starts off, believe it or not, acoustic, and stays slow throughout. It seems rather uncharacteristic of the Brides; nevertheless, it has grown on me over time. Next, I'm not sure what the purpose of "Another Teenage Suicide" was, but it rocks as hard as anything else on Leave No Ashes. "Dance With The Devil" gets most of its praise for its ghostly interlude. The beginning and end are kind of weird, as is the album's lone weak point: "To Kill A Swan". It's the only Brides song to date where, I think, Dimitri's voice is grating on the ears. And finally, the title track... it's not as prominent as other hard rockers, but gets special note for that hilarious toilet paper excerpt.

In total, there are five unbelievably great songs on Leave No Ashes (tracks 1, 4, 10, 11 & 12). The aforementioned top three are in my top five favorite Burning Brides songs ever. So, although there is one sour song ("To Kill A Swan", which isn't even 'bad'), you can't let that spoil the fact that this is a great, distinguished rock album. I would say there's about a 95% chance of you absolutely loving this album if you absolutely loved Fall Of The Plastic Empire, even if preceding reviews would lead you believe otherwise. This is the sound of a rockin' band. Take it or leave it.

Just saw the Burning Brides live about 2 weeks ago, and they torched New York's Bowery Ballroom. I walked into the show having heard one of their songs ("Arctic Snow" from their last disc), and walked out with both of their CD's. They put on a mindblowingly loud & energetic show. Dimitri Coats attacks his guitar with more vigor than I've seen from anyone in ages, and I've been going to shows since the mid 70's.

Their latest disc, Leave No Ashes, is easily one of the best things I've heard this year. It's all here... the big sounds of AC/DC, Cheap Trick, Motorhead, Nirvana and more (including the GBV-like "From You"), but the Brides are unique enough to pull it all off in the most sincere and original manner. Great band, and I'm sorry I didn't find them much sooner.

I haven't owned this cd for a long long time but from what i've spun i've enjoyed. They are originally from Philadelphia and are straight out rock and roll. What i dig, is they have a Nirvana quality where the lead singer can kind of screech and it still sounds great. I'm always on the prowl for rock and roll where i don't feel like shooting myself in the head and this band will save my skull for the time being.

If you aren't ready for newer artists taking a grungey approach, they might not be for you. I am fond of their sound and will likely check out more albums.

The Burning Brides are simply one of the best live bands around (easy)

I see live shows all the time, this band is amazing and is simply over the top... The tour supporting the very solid "Leave no ashes" was amazing...

The disc itself is getting panned on this forum but it is a solid album and rocks hard and smart with very cool hooks... Sure "Plastic" is an iconic master work but you can't do that record twice (okay boys and girls) and this follow-up is solid and should not be missed...

It is like when "Nevermind" followed "Bleach" those who listened to Bleach for a year were left feeling just "so-so" about Nevermind...

but in the fullness of time both albums are fab in their own way and worthy of owning for powerful and different reasons...

thus I give you "Plastic" and "leave no ashes" both are must own CD's and if you don't see this band live (before you die) too bad for you...


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It's such common scenario, it's almost to be expected: band releases an amazing debut, and then lets everyone down with the sophomore and subsequent releases. This is, unfortunately, one of those.

"Leave No Ashes" does have its bright spots, like "King of the Demimonde" and the utterly bizarre "Vampire Waltz". The remainder is largely forgettable.

Their debut, "Fall of the Plastic Empire", is a gem, and gets heavy rotation in my listening. Buy that album, not this one.

This band IS a treat to see live, however. Don't miss em.

Lately, I have become quite bored with the rock scene. There are only a minimal amount of bands I seem to find myself enjoying, while a plethora of others test the boundries of suckitude. Well, the Burning Brides are one of those bands I enjoy. I first heard of them last year, and have been listening ever since. Their first CD was a great CD with all the makings of a band that will keep getting bigger. Immediately after buying Leave No Ashes and listening to it, I cannot see how the mainstream can turn a blind eye to these guys anymore. This CD leaves no ass unkicked as it takes you on a twelve song journey that will leave you wanting for more. The CD starts off with the wonderful 'Heart Full Of Black' which sounds like a song that could be blasting out of many cars on the radio. 'Dance With The Devil,' is probably the best song on the CD with a catchy guitar riff and great drums to match it. Finally, the CD gets a little slow with the songs 'Pleasure In The Pain,' 'From You,' 'Last Man Standing.' Yet, the songs still rock...TO THE MAX! Frankly, this CD needs to be bought if you enjoy rock music. The Burning Brides will defiantly become a bigger band with each day passing (and taking over the Mars Volta duties of supporting A Perfect Circle wasn't half bad for publicity either).