Band:	Ash Pool
Album:	For Which He Plies The Lash
Style:	Black metal
Release date:	February 2010
A review by:	Lucas

01. Holocaust Temple
02. A Sacrifice Consumed By Fire
03. Big Bang Black Metal
04. Porcelain Cancer Spear
05. White Dwarf Death Mask
06. Dancing Death Masters
07. Moon Rose Over Sobibor
08. On the Rings Of Saturn Adam And Eve Conceive Cain

Ash Pool's World Turns On Its Hinge was a deliciously vicious punk Black metal album. Throughout their career, Ash Pool have always stayed true to their raw style of Black metal, though hardly any releases by them sound alike.

For Which He Plies The Lash is, besides an incredibly awesome-sounding album title, a strangely 'poppy' raw Black metal album. Yes, you've read that correct. Ash Pool have always had something strangely upbeat about them, due to the punk influences, and they have further developed that on the new album. Opener "Holocaust Temple" is a great example of their new(ish) jumpy, yet utterly raw style. Unfortunately it isn't as diabolically fun as we all know Ash Pool can be.

And to my regret, that basically goes for the entire album. Yes, there are many insane moments present. Allow me to mention a few of the key facets: the piercing shrieks of a psychotic vampire, the mad barks of a hellhound, the frenzied chainsaw riffs, even serene yet deadly clean vocals, all in all creating many, many moments of pure pitch-black nothingness. But, in the end, the album is too uneven and unbalanced to really impress. For every fantastic moment there's a dull section or a less-than-mesmerizing riff.

Still, it's good to know Ash Pool is still alive and kicking. And what's more, the band is trying new things and gradually updating itself. On this particular album the pieces don't really fit together, but who knows, the next one might very well be a nut-cruncher... I know they have what it takes.