Talk about progress!! I first heard about Ahoora from an Iranian friend of mine in 2005 and I remember thinking that they had potential, but needed better production and more practice. Today I listen to Ahoora’s second album entitled “All In Blood With You” released in 2007 and I’m just blown away, they’ve developed and accomplished in 4 years what takes other bands 15 years to. They’ve matured as musicians, vocalists, lyricists, and above all, composers, and only now I would say that they’re a “BAND”!!! A full-blown heavy metal unit ready to take over the world with their music –especially if they keep on going at this rate-.

“All In Blood With You” is a “Class A” Metal release, I say “Metal” Because it’s too varied to fall under one sub-genre of metal, it’s a combination of American Power Metal, Classic Heavy/Thrash Metal, and Progressive Metal with a tiny bit of Gothic and Doom at certain parts. With influences from bands and musicians such as NeverMore, Savatage/Jon Oliva, Morgana Lefay, and above all, early ICED EARTH (Burnt Offerings/Mid 90s Era) with their signature melancholic, foaming-at-the-mouth, loud, atmospheric attitude and sound.

Obviously here, we’re dealing with talented and imaginative musicians who know how to mould the music into their own vision, experimenting in different areas to come up with their own thing instead of the pathetic mimicry that’s taking place in most new bands coming out these days. A vocalist who’s basie rough vocals will send chills down your spine when listening to the music loud enough, a guitarist who’s diverse –oriental at times- thick guitar riffs and solos carry you gently from one mood to the next without bursting that thought bubble of yours, a bassist and a drummer who are extremely in sync, and a guest female vocalist who’s addition to the music made a huge difference in the way the music is perceived. In conclusion, this is a band to keep an eye for, a band that just got themselves into my circle of trust and list of favorite Middle Eastern bands. A well-deserved 9/10 for the album, and a 20/10 for the progress they’ve made.