Artist : Oknos

Album : From Ashes

Release Date : 22-07-2022

Added : 18-08-2022

After the progressive metal of 'Atomic Symphony' and the festive power metal of 'Fellowship', here is a new metal release but in symphonic with the Germans of 'Oknos' who had not released an album since 2017, date of their first opus 'Old World'. It will therefore have taken 5 years for this 'From Ashes' to see the light of day and, for the occasion, it should be emphasized that the band put on a great spread because, if you look at all the people who participated in this new baby of the Germans in addition to the members of the group, the cast is impressive with the addition of a large number of classical instruments and many choirs and I have spared you the list of names of the children's choir (we will talk about it again). It's not a concept album with a plot and the topics covered are as diverse as the persecution of witches, the myth of Lorelei, adventures, friendship, hate, death, love and hope. Another point to note, the singer 'Anna' who officiated on the first album has been replaced by 'Johanna Bensmann' which offers remarkable vocal performances throughout the album.

With 16 compositions (for more than an hour of listening), 'From Ashes' is very varied and alternates different atmospheres and styles, the whole being focused on classic symphonic metal, orchestral arrangements and vocals being particularly worked and often bringing an imposing sound breadth which is particularly adapted to this style of music. After the epic introduction 'Confrontation' reminiscent of the atmospheres of 'Nightwish', (especially thanks to the flute) and integrating magnificent choirs, the hit 'Haven of Tranquility' offers a catchy first title with harmonious melodic lines, then, 'Everything Affects Everything' continues in powerful symphonic metal with a chorus that never leaves you and 'Rotten to the Core' follows suit with a new energetic title. In this direct and melodic style, we can also mention the 'Lost in the Matrix' whose introduction reminds me of certain atmospheres of 'Therion', 'World of Insanity', in a more modern style, with some electro effects, but also the melodic jewel 'Searching' that the Dutch of 'Delain' would certainly not have denied and finally 'Heresy' which is certainly the most fitting composition of the whole album. Between all this power deployed, the strength of the Germans is to integrate other more measured compositions with the very beautiful 'Coming Home' (see video here), but also 'Burning Heart ' (see video here) and the mid-tempo 'From Ashes' which can recall the style of 'Within Temptation' or even 'Loreley' (see video here),, introduced by 'Waves', which unrolls a slow addictive rhythm with very beautiful melodic lines and with remarkable vocal arrangements. We can also mention the radiant 'Inner Voice' which brings a touch of folk, and which is very catchy with its chorus giving this irresistible desire to take it up in chorus but also the beautiful instrumental break 'Memories' highlighting the classical instruments. And to end this very beautiful album, the 8 minutes of 'Power of Mind' are a good summary of the whole and show all the talent of composer of 'Johannes Erdmann' which offers us a magnificent title with all the ingredients that the we want to find in symphonic metal and even more with the participation of a children's choir, a process that was used, also with great success by 'Christofer Johnsson' in the very beautiful 'Children of the Stone: After the Inquisition' from the 2010 album 'Sitra Ahra'.

In summary, this second album of the Germans of 'Oknos' shows all the progress compared to the first and is a total success, thanks in particular to the quality of the compositions of 'Johannes Erdmann' but also to the orchestral and vocal arrangements which remarkably densify the whole and, for my part, 'From Ashes' will certainly be one of the best symphonic metal revelations of 2022...

Line Up / Musicians

Johanna Bensmann (Vocal), Johannes Erdmann (Guitar, Trumpet, Cor d’harmonie), Benjamin Offeney (Guitar), Arne Kinast (Bass), Philipp Schräder (Keybords, Flute, Saxophone, Choirs), Sebastian Brunn (Drums) + Guests : Georgi Gürov (flûte), Thorsten Scholz (Trumpet), Ferdinand Pottoff (Cor d’harmonie, Trumpet, Trombone), Charlotte Wolff (Violin), Magdalena Sokolov-Korbel (Violin), Elsa Joppich (Violin), Lara Schaiper (Violin), Angela Irnich (Violin), Sophia Rogge (Violin), Waldemar Berger (Accordion) + Choirs : Friedemann Petter, Johannes Erdmann, Philippe Schräder, Johannes Ludwig, Simon Littlejohn, Marius Strenger, Benjamin Offeney, Sebastian Brunn, Joshua Bredemeier, Arne Kinast, Sinas Bredemier, Hannah Altevogt, Annika Wesselkampt, Johanna Bensmann, Kristin Hartmann, Franziska Hochäuser, Lara Schaper, Marina Bachmann, Nadine Gausann, Jelena Herdmann, Andrea Schräder, Angela Irnich