In the early years of North American Black Metal School, it was domain for Black/Thrash Metal acts. Yes, ABSU, BLOODSTORM and some others were names that were taking influences from the 80's, especially names as SODOM, DESTRUCTION, SLAYER and HELLHAMMER. Bu as time passed by, the younger bands started to create a form of the genre turned to its purest essence (as something like that could really be found on any Metal genre the readers can think of), to a form that could be side-by-side with what was happening on Europe. So the work heard on "Celestial Revelations", the first album of ASHES FOR THE MUTE, is in this way.

The band works on a way heavily influenced by Northern Black Metal (especially from Norway and Sweden), but with the care on technical side (as usual, a USA Metal feature found in any Metal genre that is done in the country) and with some nasty and morbid melodies. But keep in mind that the quartet is a Black Metal band, so expect some funereal parts and the usual bitterness of the genre. But one thing must be done: even being their first album, "Celestial Revelations" is really great!

The album was produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Jacob St. Amand (the band's vocalist/guitarist), and the result is a sonority that has an Old School Black Metal form, but in a dry and comprehensible way. It could be better? Yes, but's good as a first album (the instrumental tunes could be better, especially the drums).

They really show musical talent on such genre, as songs as "Celestial Revelations" (a very good set of rhythmic contrasts created by bass guitar and drums, and great morbid ambiences), "The Engulfing Void" (come complex tempos can be heard on this one, where the slow pace makes the abrasive riffs of the guitars become evident), "Anhedonic Shroud" (a technically simple song, but the nasty feeling of it is really irresistible), "Abyssal Awakening" (very good shrieks and some harsh low tunes are presented by the vocals, in a way similar to Shagrath and Ihsahn on old days), and "Labyrinthian Dream Vortex" (very good darkened and introspective melodies can be heard in some moments) are here to proof.

For now, ASHES FOR THE MUTE is really a promising name from the USA Black Metal School, and any Black Metal fan that really likes the genre must have a copy of "Celestial Revelations" at home.