Chasing Embers – Beckoning Call (Album Review)

Chasing Embers

There aren’t many recordings that I would say like potato chips in that you can put it on and listen to it over and over again. Just like eating chips on a couch, you’re going to want to stuff your earholes with Chasing Embers release, Beckoning Call.

Overwhelmingly, this release has an element of melancholy that just tickles my fancy well.

But there is also a smidge of ugliness at times (especially in the vocals), which is so reassuring. It means that this band were not afraid to explore their sound a bit and see what they could create.

For instance, there is an element of African chanting to their sound (as well as other elements that gained my interest). These elements certainly aren’t the main premise of the band, but it adds an extra flavour and stops them from being another cookie-cutter band out there trying the ride the wave Evanescence set many years ago. There are times that you could see it getting out of control life, which is great, but choices in the production of this mean that these moments (particularly with the drumming) resemble more of a radio-friendly sound than the care-free and disruptive elements of metal. I say it is a pity, but others would definitely disagree with me on that one.

This being said, the production value is pretty spot-on, everything can be heard well and nothing falls awkwardly on the ear.

This is a great all-around release, but it will be interesting to see what this band will do in future releases if they decide to go down the rabbit hole of experimentation. Suitable for those who buy a share bag of potato chips and don’t intend to share them.

Release Year: 2019
Label: self-released
Category: Album
Country: Ukraine

Reviewed by Liam Frost-Camilleri