Fazer.ca has posted a couple pictures and a very small review of ASHES dIVIDE’s set from Edgefest in Toronto on Saturday.
The EdgeFest 08 Page over at Edge.ca has also put up quite a few pictures from the event. There are sections for user submitted videos/reviews/pictures so keep an eye on it in the upcoming days for more content.
Last but not least a video of Denial Waits from Edgefest has shown up on youtube
The lovely ladies over at Planet Verge have posted a glowing review of ASHES dIVIDE’s set at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
“The band opened on a pretty mellow note that set the tone of sophistication. Ashes Divide is not your general loud party rock band playing a 92.3 KRock sponsored show.
That’s not to say they aren’t catchy, though. “Denial Waits” has a chorus that will be glued to heads upon first listen. Those who were wise enough to show up early and catch the band’s set did not stop applauding.”
Please visit Planet Verge for the full review and more pictures. They also mention that an interview with ASHES dIVIDE will be posted there in the future so we will keep an eye out.
Special thanks to Reed for the heads up
Looks like the UK based Kerrang Magazine has jumped in on the review action
“A Perfect Circle’s Other Half Steps Out
If great bands are more than the sum of their parts, none more so than A Perfect Circlle, the 1999-2006 partnership between Tool’s Maynard James Keenan and former Guns N’Roses/NIN guitar tech Billy Howerdel, who birthed two fantastic albums of lush, gothic rock melodrama to then dissolve when Keenan returned to Tool and his own new project Puscifer. ASHES dIVIDE is Billy Howerdel alone, helped out by the Official Drummer Of Everyone, Mr Josh Freese, ex-NIN man Danny Lohner and none other than Keenan’s 13-year-old son Devo on cello.
Of course there are plenty moments here which can’t help calling to mind APC, most noticeably Howerdel’s instantly recognisable shimmering guitar sound, and production-wise this debut sounds as huge and dense as you’d expect. Coming forth from under the shadow of the finest rock singer of his generation can have been no easy task and while Howerdel does a decent enough job at complementing these frequently haunting, stirring tracks of dark ’80s-yearning alt-rock with an adequate vocal accompaniment, his at-times reedy voice dosen’t always hit the mark. Defamed harks back to Smashing Pumpkins and Howerdel’s lovelorn persona, like Ad’s sound in general, is graced with a vague, indistinct quality fans of 30 Seconds To Mars, or even HIM may appriciate. Good in places.
Download: Stripped Away
For fans of: 30 Seconds To Mars, The Cure”
Special thanks to Ellz for the heads up!
Posted in Reviews
Ex-APC and current QOTSA member Troy Van Leewun was recently interview by ultimate-guitar.com and had good things to say about Billy and ASHES dIVIDE.
“Speaking of Billy Howerdel he has been working on some new music.
Yes, it’s a new project called Ashes Divide and if you like A Perfect Circle you’re going to like it. A Perfect Circle was really his music. I don’t play on the album but I really like it and back it totally. We did get together a couple of times over the last couple of years but he really takes his time. And rather than force something to happen, we just decided to hang out. I listened to a bunch of his new music but it seemed he had it pretty much covered if you know what I mean. He likes to pick the parts and then divide amongst the musicians. He is such a well rounded player. “
Read the full interview here
Posted in Reviews
Yet another review, this time on Decoymusic.com
“Howerdel’s obscure signature guitar playing style is easy to notice several times throughout the record. He has this knack for writing melodies where you almost guess their outcome and end up being completely wrong. They start off sounding normal and pleasant, and just crash toward the end in an odd, yet somehow good sounding way.”
Go here to read the review in it’s entirety.
Posted in Reviews
Reviews of Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright are showing up all over the place.
Links and excerpts can be found below:
Sputnik Music : “Billy Howerdels solo project, Ashes Divide, is a good step in the right direction and brings back a powerful feeling to alternative rock. It is something that fans of A Perfect Circle and Tool would enjoy.”
Rock and Roll Ghost : “Though not all of it succeeds, Howerdel manages to make something rewarding to listen to and it’s fair to suggest that future ASHES dIVIDE albums will rise to the occasion.”
All Music : “By relegating his more powerful pieces to the back of Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright in favor of more inconsistent opening tracks, Howerdel makes the entire album feel somewhat shallow and emotionally static. Instead of exploring new territory, he seems content in revisiting old successes.”
The Rock Blogger : “While Ashes Divide may not be a revolutionary effort, it certainly is a beautiful one, as Howerdel effectively lives up to heightened expectations.”
GuitarBassMan : “Overall, “Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright” is a good record, I just don’t know if its something I will personally keep listening to for a long time. Time will tell I guess.”
Lonely Reviewer : “Keep Telling Myself has a consistent stream of musical sadness that runs through the 45-minute album length, with each song sounding like the score to a mini-film.”
The East Carolinian : “The surreal atmosphere that is created through the various tones and textures on the album make it brutally heart wrenching, yet beautifully human.”
Posted in Reviews
A couple of positive reviews of Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright have been posted on thisisrobis.com and 411mania.com
Found a review? Feel free to submit it to us via our Contact Page
Posted in Reviews
“Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright certainly isn’t a happy album, but you can feel Howerdel reaching deep inside his guts to pull out these songs. There’s an air of sincerity that permeates every note of songs like the pulsating “Denial Waits” and the slow ‘n sexy “Too Late.” These songs make it clear why the revered MJK was so quick to work with Howerdel. He’s a talent.”
Read the full review here
Posted in Reviews
“The brainchild of A Perfect Circle founder Billy Howerdel, ASHES dIVIDE is much more alternative rock than it is Hawthorne Heights. On its debut album, “Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright,” the band combines alt rock with a bit of the electronic elements and melodic moments of 30 Seconds To Mars to create a clear and concise sound.”
Full review can be found here
Posted in Reviews