{"id":316575,"date":"2025-12-15T03:41:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T03:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/316575\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T03:41:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T03:41:09","slug":"review-asira-as-ink-in-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/316575\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Asira – As Ink in Water"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Published by Dave<\/a> on December 14, 2025December 14, 2025<\/p>\n

\"\"Artwork by: Scott Naismith (@scottnaismithartist<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Style: Post-metal, black metal, blackgaze (Mixed vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Alcest, Sylvaine, Ghost Bath
Country: United Kingdom
Release date: 14 November 2025<\/p>\n

Much is to be said for metal that is based on \u2018vibes\u2019. Heavy metal\u2019s roots are direct, in-your-face, and melodic, and so the ethereal sensibilities of post-metal and blackgaze feel in a way antithetical to the genre\u2019s foundations. Nonetheless, groups like Alcest and Deafheaven made great waves in the scene with their voluminous walls of sound, forsaking The Almighty Riff in the name of The Supreme Vibe. As Ink in Water, the latest LP from British group Asira, follows in the wake of these riparian titans with a focus on dreamy, blackened, billowing post-metal. Does the record gracefully float as ink in water, or does it simply sink?<\/p>\n

A persistent ebb and flow shapes opener \u201cSilence of Mind\u201d. Stuttering electronics dance around thumping bass while bluesy guitar licks ripple the surface; the track suddenly cuts out, and a ferocious wall of tremolos crashes into the shore with fervor. The rest of the track, and As Ink in Water by extension, follows suit, balancing larger-than-life intensity with subdued, contemplative passages. Even the vocals adopt this sense of balance, as both delicate cleans (\u201cClarity\u201d, \u201cStill\u201d) and caustic harsh vocals (\u201cCauterise\u201d, \u201cIn Sunrise\u201d) are used interchangeably.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

While Asira showcase melodic flair through copious solos and skittering drum work, particularly on \u201cSilence of Mind\u201d, The Vibe above all else is the name of the game here. \u201cClarity\u201d is led along by soulful clean vocals and amorphous guitar atmospherics until the halfway mark, when whipping drums help to recontextualize the chorus in a grand climax. \u201cCauterise\u201d most effectively evokes intensity, beginning with an acerbic tremolo before springboarding into gnarly harsh vocals and ferocious start-stop riffage. Despite these two sounds sitting on polar opposite ends of the spectrum, they work together to create a compelling and cohesive atmosphere.<\/p>\n

And As Ink in Water takes every opportunity it can to engulf the listener in atmosphere\u2014but this isn\u2019t always a good thing. The individual moments on any given track are all gorgeous, but when zooming out, the compositional through-lines aren\u2019t entirely convincing. The slightest disturbance in The Supreme Vibe, whether it be the sudden halt in momentum halfway through \u201cCauterise\u201d or the meandering atmospherics of closer \u201cStill\u201d, bring me back to reality and have me questioning how the song got to where it was in the first place. Asira\u2019s post-blackened forebears heartily worship at The Vibe\u2019s helm, but they also make a point to temper their atmospherics with focused and intentional songwriting. Additionally, the mixing could use a bit of love\u2014everything on As Ink in Water sounds crisp, but the record is missing dynamics that would engender a feeling of stillness in the quiet moments and heighten the explosive deluge when transitioning to more intense ideas.<\/p>\n

Asira took to the waves to pen As Ink in Water, at times deftly navigating its currents and at others stumbling headfirst into the brine. The record\u2019s high points showcase the grandeur capable under the watch of The Vibe, combining soaring atmospherics with effervescent guitars and powerful drum\/bass interplay. Unfortunately, As Ink in Water\u2019s ideas simply don\u2019t feel complete in the context of flat dynamics and less-than-focused songwriting. While there\u2019s nothing wrong with getting lost in an ocean of vibes, I need something with a bit more direction to help me navigate the seas.<\/p>\n

Recommended tracks: Silence of Mind, Cauterise, Clarity
You may also like: Eldamar<\/a>, Vestige<\/a>, Ashlands<\/a>, Unreqvited
<\/a>Final verdict: 6\/10<\/p>\n

Related links: Bandcamp<\/a> | Facebook<\/a> | Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n

Label: Independent<\/p>\n

Asira is:
\u2013 Jack Reynolds: vocals
\u2013 Martin Williams: guitars, vocals
\u2013 Ethan Bishop: guitars
With guests:
\u2013 Alex Taylor: bass
\u2013 Sam Greenland: drums
\u2013 Lydia Williams: vocals
\u2013 Ellias Williams: vocals<\/p>\n

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