Andreas Gross – Grounds of Ashes

Releasedate: 12-10-2012; Label: Echozone
By: Sabine van Gameren

Andreas Gross is a multi-instrumentalist which has been releasing albums under this name for some years. Anno 2012 album number eight is released and it is called: “Grounds of Ashes”.

Melancholic tracks, slow and dramatic that has the focus on the dark side of life. The album has fifteen tracks and includes some live tracks. Fifteen tracks equal a lot of sadness and what is a bit of pity is that you are constantly seeking some deeper thrill, some excitement, something that makes the whole a bit more intense to make sure you can keep your attention with it. It is kind of lacking in that department and it does not really get better knowing that the vocals are not spectacular either. Some parts seem quite ok but it is simply too much of the same. A bit more contrast would have been better. A single track will do, but for listening it the whole album it does not work. The hope is therefore on the live tracks to impress. Unfortunately that does not work either. The same feeling as with the album comes up and the recording does not give the impressing of an intimate gig. Some polite applause is there in the distance, but it does not give the impression that a lot of people came to see and enjoyed this on the night it was recorded. Too bad, a missed chance.

Tracklist: 01. Vermillion Pt.2 02. Shadows 03. Lilith 04. Akephalos 05. Soldiers 06. Succubus 07. Planets In Peril 08. Winter’s Day 09. Breathing My Words 10. Share 11. Lilith (Don’t Call Me Eve Mix) 12. Silent Halls [Live] 13. First Breath After Coma [Live] 14. Hopeful Despair [Live] 15. Shady Fortune Hunters [Live]

Links:
Andreas Gross Facebook