AoarA - Forward Through Ruin EP

AroarA seem a straightforward heavy metal group, until they bring out the bagpipes. The four songs on Forward Through Ruin are composed in the classic folk style - jigs and reels of various moods shoved together into a medley. A rock solid rhythm section and a terse guitarist hold down the beat, while Duncan Menzies chases tricksy melodies on his bagpipes or fiddle. AoarA are otherwise slightly predictable, emotive rock, but the absence of a vocalist spares us pretentious warbling. By adding the pipes, they shift into a fascinating space, where the folk pretensions of Led Zeppelin are matched by a sincere knowledge of the genre. The fusion of two bombastic musical forms never really achieves its potential majesty: there are wistful moments, such as when the butch Talking Should Cease Now segues into Return From Donington, and overwhelming assaults a-plenty, but the overall impression is that the talented and imaginative players are searching to integrate their influences. [Gareth K vile]