Ashes of the Sun - Travel back in time to 1990s American MTV metal

The idea behind this project, which is the solo work of longtime Freya contributor Ethan D. Henry, is a throwback to 1990s commercial American metal. According to the official description, you can think of it as if 1990s Metallica and Alice in Chains got together and made music. It seems the project is meant to be a nostalgic look back at a time in Henry's life when he was young and watched MTV. However, what if you're young now and weren't around in the 1990s? Is it necessary to know all those references to enjoy the album? I don't think so. In fact, I'm not sure you need to know the references at all. The main idea is to create more melodic music compared to the heavier sound he usually composes. Since I'm not familiar with Freya, I can't personally compare the two, but regardless, this album is a reflection of the composer's background and his approach to music. To me, it sounds like melodic American groove metal. Of course, if you loved 1990s MTV metal, you'll probably appreciate this music even more!

At the bottom you will find a song from YouTube for you to get an idea of what to expect.

Ashes of the Sun

Gods With Machines

Ignorant Tourist Productions

1 August 2025

01 - Sophisticated Clowns 5:50

02 - Save The World 4:18

03 - Forced To Kill 5:51

04 - The Elephant 4:35

05 - A New Way To Die 4:26

06 - Gods With Machines 5:15

07 - The Lost Ones 4:08

08 - Here To Stay 6:11

09 - They Bleed Just Like You 4:31

"I hope this album brings fans back to the era when metal and hard rock ruled the scene. Headbangers Ball was kicking, and it wasn't out of the ordinary to turn on MTV and see Metallica's One cranking. Tasty, heavy metal and hard rock with cool glammed-out solos and a ballad. I think it blends a few genres like grunge and metal at times. The album flows like some of my playlists, and I would imagine most people's playlists. I hope that fans will enjoy the mellow acoustic/ballad intros that transition into hard rock/ metal flows. I wanted these songs to reach rock fans and metal fans alike. I've been in metal bands for a long time and love the brutality Karl and Dan brought to Freya and The Last Season, but I wanted to reach a broader audience. So I chose to tone the heavy vocals back and sing the album. At times, it reminds me of Dave Mustaine, James Hetfield, and Layne Staley. Every once in a while, I'm like, that kind of sounds like Bon Jovi or Scott Weiland. It's funny because I never really listened to STP, only in passing. I think ultimately, whether it's my metal, rock, or grunge influences coming through in these songs, it sounds like the era of music I grew up listening to. Late 90s, early 2000s. I like that about this album." - Ethan D. Henry

ASHES OF THE SUN is the solo project of longtime FREYA contributor Ethan D. Henry. Freya was formed in 2001 by three members of the legendary straight edge/ Vegan band EARTH CRISIS by bassist Ian Edwards, guitarist Eric Edwards, and vocalist Karl Buechner. Ethan joined Freya in 2004, touring with the group for their first release on VICTORY RECORDS, AS THE LAST LIGHT DRAINS.

Since its conception in 2001, Freya has been writing music, making videos, and touring in the metal and hardcore scenes. They have been featured on MTV’s Room Raiders, Road Rules, and Headbangers Ball. More recently, they have had their music on the hit Television show Shameless, which airs on Showtime. Freya has also been featured in Kerrang, Decibel, Amp, and Metal Hammer magazines, to name a few.

Henry has been working with Freya since 2004 - 2008, 2017-present. He joined Freya as a temp to tour with the band as the last light drains, until becoming a full member in 2004. He co-wrote LIFT THE CURSE ( VICTORY RECORDS), THOUSAND YARD STARE ( UPSTATE RECORDS) FIGHT AS ONE (UPSTATE RECORDS ) BLOODTHIRST ( UPSTATE RECORDS ) In 2007, Freya went to Europe for the HELL ON EARTH tour with WALLS OF JERICHO, ALL SHALL PERISH, BORN FROM PAIN, AND FROM A SECOND STORY WINDOW.

Henry says, “ Going to Europe on the Hell on Earth tour was such an amazing experience for me. I had been touring the States and Canada for years, but doing that tour, with those bands…That was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Very Grateful to have been able to do it. "

In addition to his duties with Freya, Ethan also co-wrote and performed on THE LAST album titled CALLED IT CIVILIZATION, released on SURFACE RECORDS in 2003. The Last season featured frontman Dan Johnson from BLOOD RUNS BLACK, GODBELOW, and THE UNHOLY based out of Syracuse, N.Y.. GODBELOW later became the hard rock band BRAND NEW SIN.

Ethan has worn many hats over the years with his bands. Whether he needed to play bass, guitar, or drums, he was always up for the challenge.

“ I was always a bass player with guitar second in my comfort zone. I could always sing, but I wasn't like great at it. I don't know when it happened, like when I became good enough to play any instrument, if we needed a drummer or guitar player, I was like…Okay, I’ll give it a shot. Then one day I was a Drummer, I guess? I think I have impostor syndrome. ha”

Eventually, Henry had compiled a huge catalog of songs he had written over the years. Unsure what to do with them, He sat in his studio and started to record them. Not sure what would become of them, He had his friend Jason “Jocko” Randle at CAPTURE.STUDIO (Syracuse, N.Y.) to take a listen and put his touch on it. After a few mix and master sessions, Ethan decided his eclectic song list was cohesive enough to make an album. Thus, ASHES OF THE SUN was born.

An alternative, metallic, grungy style of music that spans over a few genres. “If Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth had a baby with Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age, and the Foo Fighters, that's Ashes of the Sun." - Ethan D. Henry

A New Way to Die

https://www.instagram.com/ethanhenry43/