Reviewed by Ben Martin

North Carolina based The Ascendicate have taken the US metalcore scene by storm, bringing a new and fresh take on the increasingly stale scene. With powerful album opener "Scottish", the diversity of the album becomes evident within the first few minutes. Taking both extremes, the powerful and sometimes brutal riffs which are reminiscent of bands such as Becoming The Archetype are mixed with more melodic vocals similar to those of Killswitch Engage and Pillar. This eclectic album will surprise those expecting basic metalcore with the faster beats, heavier breakdowns and much lower tunings! With only 10 tracks, 'To Die As Kings' clocks in at just under 40 minutes, however this time is certainly not wasted and the strong production, tight performance and strong creativity, the passion is easily visible. This is an album which will keep the listener engaged throughout, and with their thought provoking lyrics, hooky melodies and heavy riffs, this is an exceptional debut.

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