If Oasis decided to become a stoner rock/metal group, I have a feeling they'd sound a lot like Burning Brides. Following a whirlwind couple of years touring on their debut Fall of the Plastic Empire opening for the likes of J. Mascis, The Warlocks, and A Perfect Circle, the Brides have finally dropped Leave No Ashes, their Sophomore effort. Ashes ups the ante for these guys, as it sounds like touring for two years straight has tightened Dimitri Coats and company tighter than a pickle jar. Also credit producer George Drakoulias who has worked with the likes of The Black Crowes, Tom Petty, and The Jayhawks just to name a few, for cleaning up the murky sound that haunted Plastic Empire at times, and makes Ashes glow like red hot coals.

Coats has one of those great hard rock yowls that makes you proud to be a hard rock fan, and is only equaled by his amazing guitar playing. When Coats screams 'I want you gone!' on "King of the Demimonde" it'll make you want to give a nice little devil horned salute. Melanie Campbell's bass playing is also just as incredible, and with its funky freshness, it's definitely one of the Brides secret weapons. Just listen to her solo on "Dance With the Devil" and try to not to keep your foot from tapping, it's damn near impossible. And just look at the amazing cover art. That in itself is worth one star alone! Leave No Ashes is a more than impressive second record, and will definitely go down as one of the best hard rock records of 2004.