Captivating sounds that reverberate from the very centre of this soulless burning earth, this is Vodun. Breath deep and allow your senses to be overtaken by this beautiful groove infected VODUN concoction. First track ‘Spirits Past’ has dirty Metal guitars, some tribal drumming and vocals so smoothly powerful that part of your spirit leaves the body and heads south. A diverse Doom kicking ‘Started From’ celebrates a modernistic War Pigs vibe. Like many natural disasters, it’s the aftershock that causes the most damage and same could be said for the tsunami starting metallic riffs on this culture questioning release, they’re brutal. Both ‘Providence Of Ancestors’ and a bruising ‘Ogun’s Fight’ are full bloodied body shots however it’s the spiritual chin breezing jabs that blindside. The multitude of styles is highlighted perfectly on the delicately woven but intensely delivered ‘Time Honoured’. ‘Elusive Freedom’ has a dead weather spine while title track ‘Ascend’ is Vodun in a musical nutshell. A lighter but message heavy ‘Ritual’ gives way to final track, the slow-cooked, spirit rising and soul burning ‘For Your Kin’. ‘Ascend’ is an album of pure heart wrapped plethora of simple but devastating styles, you really must listen to it.