David Bowie meets Bauhaus with a heavy electronic element is what I wanted to say after sticking this disc in the machine. Essentially electronic goth rock with an obvious and heavy love of the indie artists of the genre's roots, Written in Ashes is a startling breath of fresh air in the electronic scene, which is riddled with boring soundalike acts, to be sure. The electronica aspect of the music is well handled and enhances the music's interest while the rock side of the songs are also executed nicely. The whole product is dark and truly gothic and with no more pretension than the genre typically boasts anyway. The beats are infectious, the melodies are emotional but not cloying and the vocals are so classic and archetypal, it's a bit surprising the band doesn't come off as any more self-conscious. In other words, here is a band that has managed to incorporate all the classic elements of goth rock and gothic industrial without sounding hackneyed. NO mean accomplishment.