Out of the Ashes is a South Florida rock band with a sad history. After releasing a 14-track album titled Night Time Hour and a follow-up single called “High, Dirty and Low,” lead singer Jack Stevens died on the eve of their biggest show. Stevens’ old partner Ray Anton has re-formed the band and released three new singles, including a new take on “High, Dirty and Low.”
The core of the band consists of guitarist Ray Anton and his wife Maria Serritella on lead vocals, with support from Joey Lee Tiger on bass and Roger “The Tank” Gonzales on drums. Guitarist Anton’s main influences are hard rock and heavy metal, and he mentions Eddie Van Halen, Neil Giraldo and Neal Schon as guitar heroes. “High, Dirty and Low” literally kicks in with hardcore riffing similar to Metallica, but the vibe changes immediately with the aggressive rock vocals of Serritella, who channels all the greats including Ann Wilson, Joan Jett and even Suzi Quatro. She bites off the lyrics like molten nails, harmonizes beautifully with herself on the choruses and does that fun kind of “whoop!” dialogue between the lyrics. Anton’s guitars are thick slabs of metal behind blazing leads and stuttering left-right effects skittering across the stereo field. The bassist and drummer provide rock solid backing. Overall this is like the best Runaways song you’d ever hope to find. “How do You Know” is a “lost love song” that goes more mellow right at the top, with phase shifted electric guitar playing shimmering, dreamy chords. Serritella’s vocals are quieter and more intimate, a much better showcase for her amazing pipes. The chorus shifts into harder rock, then returns with angelic disembodied voices and synth sounds. This is stadium-ready rock including a dramatic build and killer lead soloing by Mr. Anton. “So Very Hard” more than lives up to its name, as we’re back to the wailing power chords, stomping beats and hard rockin’ vocals, whoops and chants. Ray Anton takes his “zipping” right-to-left guitar trick and reverses it for this track. For a band known for live shows, there’s a lot of Brian May-like production choices here, especially during Anton’s frighteningly visceral lead solo. This time Serritella adds a bit of Dale Bozzio to her sound. The verses get played in triple time toward the end, making the track even more propulsive. Powerful stuff from a newly reborn group. Check ‘em out!
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May 2024
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