Howard Jones Provides Vocals for New Song by Tone Assassins (Ex-Soilwork)

May 29th, 2019 at 1:40pm
Axl Rosenberg

Some of you are about to be disappointed.

When it was first announced that Howard Jones (Light the Torch, ex-Killswitch Engage) and Peter Wichers (ex-Soilwork) were collaborating on a new project, fans got understandably excited. A titan of melodeath writing for one of modern metal’s most admired frontman? Sounds good, right?

Now, two years later, we’re finally getting to hear some of that music in the form of “All or Nothing” by Tone Assassins (with Jones getting a “featuring” credit, ’cause Tone Assassins’ debut EP will apparently feature two songs with HoJo on vocals but also one with Chris Clancy from Mutiny Within). And although it’s pretty good, it’s not remotely metal. In fact, I’d hesitate to classify it as rock. It’s an orchestral pop song with Jones’ characteristically tortured vocals and rousing lyrics. But it would not be out of place in the trailer for a new dystopian YA saga. Other than some guitars buried deep, deep in the background of the mix, the only way you can really tell Wichers was involved is ’cause the production is good and the hook is super catchy.

So, as I said: this is not exactly the early-Aughts wet dream some fans envisioned, but it’s still good! Keep an open mind when listening to the track. We’ll let you know when that EP gets a release date n’ stuff.