Review: From the Ashes - Silver Spade
   Crusher Magazine
   February, 2010

NY's Silver Spade have self-released a debut that hints at more potential to come yet is still full of solid moments. The minute you put on the first track "Machine", you can't help but want to see where the tune is headed. This four-piece revel in Maiden meets Megadeth territory,with ballads thrown in to boot. Vocalist Rick Yaps most closely will remind the listener of Matt Barlow from Florida's mighty Iced Earth, with occasional hints of John Bush and other, more alternative rock tinges as well. While not as powerful as those metal heroes, Yaps is one to watch and is in strong command of much of the material. Silver Spade shine best on mid-tempo songs like the memorable title track "From The Ashes" (which hints of "No More Tears" Ozzy and mid-'80s Queensryche) and the texturally intriguing "Shadows Of The Dark." The record also boasts impressive guitar solos from guitarist Bob Yaps, who is more than capable of handling axe duties even without a rhythm guitarist. Basisst Ed Brandt also has a commanding performance with a good level of restraint mixed with flourish that often keeps the songs from tipping their hand. Some of the mellow stuff isn't my cup of tea, like "Bittersweet Cry" (I swore at first it was an acoustic metal cover of Weezer's "Say it Aint So" when the song started), but I would definitely recommend this band.

----Morgan Y. Evans