New Music Review: HETEROCHROME ‘From the Ashes’

HETERCHROME 'From the Ashes' - Cover Photo

Rating: 7 / 10 Stars

HETEROCHROME is: Mohammadreza “Arash” Rezaei (guitar/vocals/synthesizer), Mida Malek (vocals), Mohammad Mirboland (drums), Ville Veihola (electric bass), and Lisa Yihwan Lim “BigViolinPlayer” (cello)

REVIEW – HETEROCHROME formed when Arash Rezaei, and Mida Malek met and collaborated as the lead guitarist and singer in 2014. As soon as drummer Mohammad Mirboland joined the band in 2016, together with bassist Armin Afzali and rhythm guitarist Amir Taghavi, the band began recording their first album (Melancholia) in Tehran, Iran’s Chaotic Waves studio. Dante’s Divine Comedy was the inspiration for Melancholia, a concept album that was officially released and distributed in 2017 and performed live in Tehran for one night only in January of 2018.

For their second album “From The Ashes,” the band has evolved a distinct style, with lyrics and music pointing out social and political problems in both their native country Iran, such as imprisonment and prosecution of members of the metal community, gender orientation, female singing, and on a bigger scale, the planet, such as the climate change crisis.

“Baraye Farda (For Tomorrow)” starts ‘From the Ashes with HETEROCHROME softly drawing you into your thoughts. “Badbadak (The Flight)” features crunchy guitars, loud voices, and thundering rhythms. “Rage Against the People” is a song with a fascinating rhythm that makes you want to sway, clap your hands, tap your feet, and just go with the flow. The next track “W.O.T.B.,” will have you fantasize about the future while you shut your eyes and concentrate on the present. “The Bearing” will have you lost in wild fantasies and dark dreams.

Listening to “Transition” is like being submerged in the abyss of a sea of daydreams. The relaxing tones of “Time’s Up” will envelop your whole existence. “Through Evil Within” includes gritty guitars, powerful vocals, and engaging rhythms. “Sargardan (Wanderer)” is distinguished by its singing and swaying beat. The track “The Outlaw” rounds up ‘From the Ashes’ with its screaming guitars, pounding bass, hammering drums, and outstanding vocals.