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ASCEND
Zero Hour EP

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 7/10

There’s something stirring at the moment in Serbia, a metal scene that wants to be heard, and Ascend is the latest act to emerge. The band consists of Marko Kujundžić (vocals), Aleksandar Blagojević and Luka Marićević (guitars), Igor Jovanović (bass) and Mihailo Vujović (drums), and Zero Hour is the combo’s debut EP.

This five-track offering is a crisp, melodious and decidedly epic heavy metal opus with a swift, fluid guitar tone and some excellent soaring vocals.

After an intro (‘Ascendency’) we get treated to four solid anthems. The relatively short ‘Into The Midnight’ gallops along nicely with its solid percussion and axe wizardly which brings a sizzling solo, and from here it’s all killer no filler.

‘Elan Bite’ has a gritty introductory fire reminding me of Judas Priest, while ‘Reminiscence’ is subtle and evocative. The latter builds to a steady fire and again showcases the fabulous guitar work. Strangely there’s a British feel to proceedings, although my only criticism are the extra more extreme vocal barks which I don’t feel are necessary for a band of this ilk.

‘Breaking Away’ rounds the EP off and is the most vigorous track on offer, but again it just beams with a melodious cocksure swagger. It’s certainly not the throwback rock I was expecting. Instead, Ascend is very much a contemporary metal act boasting crystal clear vocals and an all-round energy and freshness that can only bode well for the future.

Neil Arnold

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