Ash – Meltdown / Infectious Records Audio CD 2004

UPC 5050467319721

Meltdown is the fourth studio album by Irish rock band Ash. It was released on 17 May 2004, through Infectious Records. Following the success of their third studio album, Free All Angels (2001), the band debuted several new songs on tour throughout 2003. By October, they travelled to Los Angeles, California to record the follow-up. Co-produced by Nick Raskulinecz and the band, the sessions were held at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, and Chalice Studios in Hollywood. Described as an hard rock album, Meltdown drew comparison to the Smashing Pumpkins, with guitarwork that recalled acts such as Black Sabbath and Metallica.

"Clones" was released as the lead single in late February 2004, coinciding with a European tour, and a UK club tour. The second single "Orpheus" appeared in May, alongside another UK tour. Third single "Starcrossed" was released in July; over the next few months, the band appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festivals, embarked on a European tour, and supported the Clash on their UK tour. With the release of the fourth single "Renegade Cavalcade" in December, the band toured Japan and the US twice. The second stint coincided with the fifth single "Meltdown" in May 2005.

Meltdown received generally positive reviews from music critics, some of whom commented on the band members' musicianship. The album peaked at number 5 in the UK and Scotland, and number 6 in the band's home country of Ireland. Outside of these areas, it charted in Australia, Austria, Germany, and Norway. Meltdown was certified gold in the UK. All of the singles, bar "Meltdown", reached the top 40 in the UK and Ireland, with "Clones" peaking the highest at number 12 in Ireland.