FROM ASHES TO NEW
‘Reflections’
Better Noise Music
When a band scraps nearly an entire album’s worth of material and starts over, expectations of fans and the band itself skyrocket. That was exactly the situation facing FROM ASHES TO NEW heading into their latest release, ‘Reflections’ via Better Noise Music. After tossing out most of the original demos and rebuilding the record from the ground up, the Pennsylvania alt-metal team’s actions proclaimed a creative rebirth. The result is a polished album packed with the band’s signature hooks, but one that occasionally struggles to fully live up to the ambition behind its creation.
Over the past decade, FROM ASHES TO NEW have carved out a firm place in the modern rock and alternative metal landscape. Formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the early 2010s, the band built its identity around a hybrid sound that blends shredding metal riffs, hip-hop cadence, electronic textures, and arena-sized choruses. At the center of the band is vocalist and instrumentalist Matt Brandyberry, whose rap-driven verses helped shape the group’s DNA. Alongside him, co-vocalist Danny Case delivers soaring melodic hooks that balance the aggression laid down by guitarists Lance Dowdle and Jimmy Bennett, along with drummer Maty Madiro.
Since releasing ‘Day One’ in 2016, the band has steadily climbed the modern rock ladder with albums like ‘The Future,’ ‘Panic,’ and 2023’s‘Blackout.’ Their blend of nu-metal nostalgia and polished radio rock has produced hundreds of millions of streams, sold-out tours, and opportunities to share stages with some of rock’s biggest names. Yet despite achieving the success that some bands never achieve, the band found itself at a creative crossroads in 2023.
With sixteen demoed songs prepared for what would become their fifth studio album, the band scrapped almost the entire catalog. But the glaring question remains: did they figuratively throw the baby out with the bathwater? With only two tracks surviving the overhaul, the group set out to push its sound forward and rediscover its creative spark. That reset ultimately gave rise to ‘Reflections’.
According to the band’s press release, ‘Reflections’ explores the emotional tension between heaven and hell; the feeling of reaching life’s highest points only to be dragged back down by internal struggles. That tenuous push-and-pull runs throughout the album’s tone and lyrics, particularly on tracks like “Drag Me” and “New Disease.” Lyrically, the band takes a more direct approach than in past releases, openly addressing struggles listeners can easily recognize in their own lives.
The first singles generated real excitement, sounding like classic FROM ASHES TO NEW with glimpses of heavier ambition. But on first listen, the full album landed flatter than expected. The record I was eager to review became surprisingly difficult to get through in one sitting, prompting me to shelve it for a few weeks and revisit it later with fresh ears. That opportunity came just days before the album’s release. Returning to it with a different mindset, I began to notice qualities that didn’t initially stand out.
“Die For You” remains the standout track and the song that originally sparked my excitement for the album. Case’s powerful vocal performance drives the track, and the absence of Brandyberry’s typical rap segments gives the song a more focused emotional weight. Its slow build and anguished delivery create a strong connection between the listener and the emotion behind the lyrics. As an 80s kid, the lyrics bring to mind the gutting interaction in Pretty in Pink where Duckie proclaims that he would have died for Andie as she heartlessly leaves him behind for Blane, the “major appliance.”
“Parasite” also emerges as a highlight after multiple listens. The track appears rooted in the struggle to escape a toxic relationship, blending the band’s familiar rap-rock formula with soaring melodic vocals over heavy alternative-metal guitars. The biggest surprise arrives in the chorus, which carries an unexpected Bollywood-inspired flavor. While unusual, the stylistic twist adds an intriguing layer to the song.
“Black Hearts” shifts between rap-driven verses and electronic textures, punctuated by bursts of heavy instrumentation. It’s a solid entry that highlights the band’s ability to blend genres while staying true to their core sound. The bits of auditory solace skillfully counteract the sequences of frenzied outbursts resulting in an oddly comfortable paradox.
“Upside Down” feels as though it could easily have been inspired by the cultural impact of Stranger Things, exploring the sensation of being trapped in another dimension and losing hope of a return to an ordinary life. Like “Drag Me,” the track successfully balances the vocal styles of Case and Brandyberry, letting both voices shine without overpowering the other. Its darker atmosphere pairs well with the song’s heavier moments, creating one of the album’s more immersive experiences.Whether or not it’s an intentional tribute to the series, the track paints a vivid picture of emotional descent that could easily be interpreted as a metaphor for mental illness.
“New Disease” has the same radio-ready appeal as “Drag Me.” Its urgent energy and catchy chorus make it one of the album’s most accessible tracks and likely a favorite among both longtime fans and new listeners. It’s a song that I could easily see myself humming in the shower or rocking out to in the car.
Across the album, many songs follow a familiar structure: a calm intro, rap verses with similar cadence, quieter transitions, bursts of heaviness, and a recognizable hook-driven chorus. The production is undeniably polished, but the formula occasionally feels predictable. The album never becomes monotonous, yet it leaves the impression that something more adventurous might have been possible. For new listeners, ‘Reflections’ delivers everything that has made FROM ASHES TO NEW successful with its massive hooks, relatable themes, and sleek modern production. But for longtime fans expecting a dramatic evolution after the band’s creative “reset,” the album feels less like a bold reinvention and more like a continuation of the path they’ve already been walking, albeit at a renewed pace.
2.9 Out Of 5.0