Albuquerque, USA-based progressive metal band Blind Man’s Daughter first came to my attention in July this year. They impressed me with their single Kyhell, which included noodling guitar and dreamy electronic soundscapes. The track features on their debut album, created between November and February with the help of local musicians. It’s called Sundressed.

By Graeme Smith

Blind Man’s Daughter is the project of Ashley Wolfe. It started out in 2012 in Durango, Colorado but it’s only when she came to Albuquerque that the project really picked up pace. Influenced by the likes of Dream Theatre, Tool, Opeth and Led Zeppelin, Ashley creates heavy and melodic rock.

The album opens with Mirage Harmer. Machine gun riffs hit you straight away, as does Ashley’s passionate vocal. There’s a lot about it that fans of melodic metal will love but also a unique edge that sets it apart from the crowd. Stripped-back interludes give a nice sense of texture. It’s a beautiful start.

Title track Sundressed keeps things pacey with chugging bass, monster riffs, and a reflective nature. Saeancer opens with sweeping vocals before launching headlong into an intricate and pleasing metal arrangement. The aforementioned Kyhell comes next providing a wonderfully intimate yet cinematic highlight before Bloodmoon rounds off the first half of the album with a soft and pleading vignette.

Days Fall keeps things brooding in its intro before some cathartic rock outbursts. It’s a subtle and elegantly constructed track. Dust and Light is a slow burner with an incredible emotional depth. Dust is a simmering and experimental instrumental moment before Night’s Fall provides a dark and powerful highlight. Waves closes the album in dramatic fashion nicely bringing together all the different elements of the Blind Man’s Daughter’s sound.

Blind Man’s Daughter are Ashley Wolfe on lead vocals and guitar, Dan Grosser on lead guitar, Revv on bass, and Brock Christian on drums. You can check out Sundressed below.