Pistols At Dawn – Ascension
Release Date: 19th August 2022
Label: JFL Entertainment
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Genre: Hard Rock, Metal.
FFO: Disturbed, Seether, Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin.
Review By: Anthony Petitt
Ascension is the newest record from Atlanta rock quintet Pistols At Dawn. The opening track is Under The Surface, and the song delivers hard-hitting riffs and a catchy hook. It feels like something straight out of 2000’s rock radio, alongside acts like Godsmack and Three Days Grace (whether this is a good or bad thing is up to you). It’s a sound that is not wholly original, but it appeals to many (myself included), so I can’t fault the band for leaning on their influences. It seems that in the case of Pistols At Dawn, the passion is definitely there.
Fly features some strong unclean vocals and is very emotionally charged, a definite highlight of Ascension. Keep Me Guessing follows, a fairly run-of-the-mill modern rock song. The band branches out a bit on For You, incorporating some very interesting ethereal effects into their sound, and the simple but killer drum work suits the vibe perfectly. The next track, The Truth, has all the makings of a hit radio single: an unassuming verse, a catchy chorus, and a sweet little solo toward the end. The song is nothing mind-blowing, but if it came on the radio, I wouldn’t change stations.
The skulking bass line on Gravity gives off shades of Tool. There’s some great instrumentation here, and the hook is no slouch either. The further one delves into this record, the more they will begin to appreciate the Pistols At Dawn style. The chorus of Get Away WILL get stuck in your head. The eighth and final song on Ascension is Dictator. The song has a lot of energy, and a compelling vocal performance. Though not the best song on the album, it’s a solid conclusion to an overall good time. 
(4 / 5)
