ASHTRAY by THORN: Review
Written as a eulogy for a friend, the latest single by the multi-instrumentalist rockstar THORN titled ASHTRAY, is a cathartic industrial anthem in hope of bringing comfort through nihilism.
Inspired by the ethos of ASHTRAY JONES, who’s an avid believer of nihilism and the lack of reason, the song is a beautifully dark and brooding tune. Blending elements of Gothic Rock, Industrial Rock, Classical, and Electronica, the song is a cathartic cry liberating the soul. From the opening piano melody, the song captivates the listener with its gothic touch. A downtempo electronic bass is introduced over fast-paced drums and then enters the cathartic, emotional vocals of THORN. The vocals are filled with angst, emotion, and passion, conveying a sense of void that is palpable. As the song progresses, more layers of instrumentation get added to the mix creating a gothic industrial cacophony. Jess Porter-Langson’s violin melodies cut right through the mix and her violin playing is really one of the highlights of the song. The use of a violin bow and smashed bottled shards on the guitar also gives the song an interesting sound. How THORN managed to put all of these together and still sound good in its chaos is really noteworthy. Kudos to Colin Lanz on the production as well.
Overall, this beautifully dark and brooding song would make a fitting soundtrack for a dystopian horror film. Highly recommended for fans of Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Rob Zombie and industrial rock.
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Photo credits: Ema Wiezik
Review by: Gabe Finch