Wishbone Ash – Coat of Arms

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Wishbone Ash are one of those extra-famous bands that you’ve been hearing about them for centuries but you have never listened to at least one album. Yeah, though I’ve know been knowing the band for centuries via hearsay I’ve never listened to a single album. I have to confess that what sparkled my interest was the pure and simple curiosity to check on the band. It happens, my dear fan. Show of hands who’s never. Right, then. The band was really famous during the 1970s and an inspiration to many Metal bands as Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Thin Lizzy, Metallica, Dream Theater, Overkill and Opeth. Their guitar duo Powell and Turner is praised for being one of the pioneers of harmony twin lead guitars and were considered by the Melody Maker (1972) described as “the most interesting two guitar team since the days when Beck and Page graced The Yardbirds“. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

Well, Wishbone Ash have been active since the 1970s, even though they had a short hiatus from 1987 to 1994. “Coat of Arms” is the twenty-suxth of their brilliant and glorious career. The album kicks off pretty cool with “We Stand As One” and the title track “Coat of Arms” which are vibrating and energized showing the famous guitar duos that made the band famous. For the fan who is listening to them for the first as I am, it’s not difficult to recognize why the band built such a reputation among Metal musicians and fans. Third track “Empty Man” is also okay and keeps the flame on. The thing is that old dogs do learn new tricks and the veterans keep the thing going until the end of the album. A lesson learned with other bands is that Wishbone Ash don’t even try to sound modern. No, no, they don’t. It’s not true either that they keep re creating the same old songs or just reminding the good old past. “Coat of Arms” is an album that works fine. I mean, if you are that Metal fan that cannot even listen to bands which do not play Metal but are great influence to all Metal, “Coat of Arms” isn’t really your album. But if you are into a vibe of knowing where Metal came from, that would be a great suggestion.

Wishbone Ash “Coat of Arms” will be released on February 28th via Steamhammer / SPV Records.

Track Listing:

  1. We Stand As One
  2. Coat of Arms
  3. Empty Man
  4. Floreana
  5. Drive
  6. It’s Only You I See
  7. Too Cool For AC
  8. Back in the Day
  9. Deja Vu
  10. When the Love Is Shared
  11. Personal Halloween

Watch “We Stand as One” official music video here: