Heterochrome – From the Ashes
Release Date: 13th May 2022
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock.
FFO: Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Gojira, Lacuna Coil.
Review By: Mark Waight
From the Ashes is the new, self-released album from Iranian progressive metal band, Heterochrome. It is a mash-up of a couple of different styles, showing the bands talents across a spectrum of genres, as well as a platform for discussing world issues and the prejudice that the band members face in their home country. Heterochrome are Mohammadreza Rezaei (Guitars, Synthesiser and Vocals), Mida Malek (Vocals), Mohammad Mirboland (Drums), Ville Veihola (Bass) and Lisa Yihwan (Cello).
Opener, For Tomorrow, is a modern progressive metal song with a twist, the lyrics are in Farsi which gives it a lovely authentic Eastern flavour. Badbadak follows a similar thread with a beautiful mix of Eastern and Western influences, and is probably my favourite track by a nose. The band take Rage Against the People down a much darker and heavier path, with nice guitar work and some beautiful harmonies between the two vocalists. WOTB reminded me so much of 1970’s progressive rock band Tangerine Dream and those early days of this progressive genre. The Bearing marks a slight change in style to something a little more gothic sounding and closes side A of the album.
Transition again takes us back to that 70’s sound with echoes of Carlos Santana, whereas Times Up is a very melancholy track with some lovely vocals and acoustic guitar work. Through Evil Within continues with that dark streak – a track about fighting the inner demons within us all. Sargardan lifts the tempo, with some subtle sounds of Persia mixed in with an alternative metal soundtrack. Outlaw closes out the album excellently with plenty of varied styles and riffs and a haunting piano finale.
This is an album that you will grow to appreciate more and more on each listen. It would have scored higher marks, but for the inclusion of the two 70’s sounding tracks, which just seemed out of place to me and not in keeping with the rest of the album, which is superb. 
(3 / 5)
