In their mere two years together as a band, Five Hundredth Year has already opened for the likes of metal giants GWAR and Mushroomhead: a mighty badge of honour for any heavy band, let alone the new kids on the block. The Michigan six-piece is the latest to try their hand at a modern hard rock sound, one that’s gritty and gutsy yet still melodic enough to appeal to those who aren't necessarily die-hard metal listeners.

Their latest EP is A Rose From The Ashes. The seven-track record opens with ‘Awaken In Silence’, a ballad that – other than an occasional throaty death growl - keeps to the shallow end of the metal waters. Five Hundredth Year takes no time to unleash their greatest weapon, the distinctive element of their sound which separates the band from a largely male-dominated crowd: female vocal accompaniment. The angsty chorus of ‘Awaken In Silence’ sees some razor-sharp harmonization between lead singer John Pampreen and bassist Brenda Bennett – a fresh quality that elevates the group’s sound and draws you into the song immediately. Shedding their ballad sound quick and early, the band shifts gears on track two ‘Blame’. The equal-part melodic and high-energy number gathers momentum with punctured guitars and hard-hitting rhythms and builds into a scream-heavy bridge before relaxing into an acoustified, somewhat tender moment in its final minute. ‘Violent Descent’ supplies a sufficient dose of hoarse growling and strives to achieve the band’s heaviest sound yet, while lead single ‘Talking Body’ is, conversely, the most radio-friendly song on the record, flaunting some infectiously catchy melodies in all its parts.

A Rose From The Ashes is a well-executed lesson in accessible metal for the modern rock-inclined ear.