Don’t judge a book by its cover, is what I have learnt from listening to Ishtar’s new E.P South of Sanity. Ishtar are a solid female fronted band, and not in a tacky Evanescence kind of way either. Listening to their E.P start to finish was a pleasurable experience. Mel Wright successfully pulls off the vocals for this rock band. She has a capability to reach high pitches (listen to ‘Secret Love’) and accompany powerful riffs with ease.
With a heavy rock front, the guitaring sounds similar to that of Zakk Wylde and Randy Rhodes. ‘South of Sanity’ is one of my favourite tracks. The vocals and guitars combine very successfully to create one of those powerful rock ballads which we all love to move our heads and lips to. My absolute favourite track though has to be ‘Temple of Ishtar’. It is comprehensively one of the best rock songs I have heard in recent times. The chorus repeats a lot which is awesome because the sound it has to it is so sweet, and the words are good too. Starting slow and easing into a heavy, melodic chorus is what it’s all about. It’s one of those songs that couldn’t have anything changed in it to make it better, and every part is perfectly arranged.
Showing us they aren’t just another heavy rock band, Ishtar successfully pulled off two slower songs in the closing stages of the EP. Sometimes rock bands can create ballads because they feel it’s what they’re meant to do and it comes back to bite them in the arse, but it seems Ishtar weren’t even trying when they comprehensively pulled them off with ease.
Even if their image may not seem like your scene, grab a copy of ‘South of Sanity’, because you’re in for a very pleasant surprise. It’s not as dark as I originally thought it might be which was great because although their songs were of a heavier nature, they were all songs I loved listening to.
And music.net got a mention in the credits too! Choice!
Craig Johnson
