The 3rd release by UK based Ancient Ascendant builds upon their extreme background to incorporate a more death-n-roll approach. While not an easy listen at first, 'Raise the Torch' has a certain pull with it's contrast of sounds that keeps you coming back. Consisting of fundamental death metal layered with extreme metal qualities and hard rock lavishness to create a complex set of nine tracks. Songs like 'Scaling the Gods' with a clap track, 'Carnal' and it's melodic solos, and the groove of 'Grasping the Torch' shine with this genre blending. Mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö helps pull off the intricacies to establish their best effort.