Bordeaux-Based Band Releases Live-Tracked LP Recorded in Spain
French rock outfit Quintana Dead Blues eXperience have unveiled their latest studio album, Ashes, a hard-hitting collection of blues-infused rock tracks that showcases a more immediate and uncompromising approach to songwriting and recording. Released on 26 June 2026, the album marks a new chapter for the Bordeaux-based project led by musician Piero Quintana.
Drawing influence from grunge, garage rock, heavy blues, stoner rock and alternative rock, Ashes arrives as a stripped-back yet powerful statement from an artist who has spent decades immersed in underground rock culture. The album combines the weight of classic heavy rock with the raw energy of live performance, creating a sound that sits somewhere between the influence of Black Sabbath, Nirvana and contemporary French rock acts such as The Inspector Cluzo, Trust and Les Thugs.
For Quintana, the record represents both a continuation of a lifelong musical journey and a fresh start. After years performing in various projects and spending significant time operating as a solo act, he has now teamed up with drummer Adrien Schiavone, transforming Quintana Dead Blues eXperience into a full-force duo.
The partnership has helped shape a record that prioritises spontaneity and intensity over studio perfection. The resulting sound is heavier and more volatile than previous releases, with the pair embracing imperfections that capture the energy of live performance.
Three-Day Recording Session Captured the Band’s Live Energy
The album was written and recorded during a concentrated three-day session in January 2026 at Silver Recordings in Bilbao, Spain. Production duties were handled by Martín Guevara of the rock band CAPSULA, who also recorded and mixed the project.
Rather than relying on extensive overdubs or digital editing, the sessions were tracked largely live, allowing the natural interaction between the musicians to become a defining feature of the record.
That approach is evident throughout the album. Guitar and drums frequently bleed into one another, creating a sense of urgency and unpredictability. Instead of polishing away imperfections, the production embraces them, preserving moments where songs appear on the verge of slipping out of control before regaining their footing.
Quintana’s guitar work forms the backbone of the album. Thick layers of distortion and fuzz dominate the mix, while his vocals remain comparatively exposed, sitting prominently above the instrumentation. The combination gives the songs a raw, human quality that aligns with the record’s overall aesthetic.
Standout Tracks Blend Grunge, Blues and Garage Rock Influences
Among the album’s key tracks are “Ashes”, “What’s Mine” and “Spell on Me”, each highlighting different aspects of the duo’s sound.
“Spell on Me” delivers driving riffs and relentless momentum, while “Wild as Fire” continues the album’s aggressive energy through pounding rhythms and dense guitar textures. Elsewhere, “Still Haunted” explores darker and more spacious territory, introducing a slower-burning tension that contrasts with the record’s more explosive moments.
The band also offers its own interpretation of Nirvana’s “School”, reimagining the grunge classic through a heavier and more abrasive lens. The cover serves as both a tribute to one of the project’s influences and a demonstration of how the duo have integrated those inspirations into their own identity.
Throughout the album, listeners are presented with a sound that feels physical and immediate. The production places the audience directly inside the room with the musicians, capturing the atmosphere of a loud club performance rather than a carefully constructed studio recording.
An Album Built on Experience Rather Than Perfection
Beneath the volume and distortion, however, Ashes reflects the perspective of a musician who has spent years pursuing artistic authenticity.
Quintana has largely operated outside the mainstream spotlight, moving through different bands, cities and creative phases while remaining committed to his own vision. That experience informs the record’s character, giving it a sense of worn-in honesty that runs beneath its aggressive exterior.
Rather than smoothing rough edges or chasing commercial trends, Quintana Dead Blues eXperience embrace the imperfections that define their sound. The album’s strength lies in its refusal to compromise, offering listeners an unfiltered snapshot of a band capturing a moment in real time.
With Ashes, the Bordeaux duo deliver a record that is loud, visceral and unapologetically direct. By favouring instinct over precision and energy over polish, Quintana Dead Blues eXperience have produced an album that stands as one of their most forceful and authentic releases to date.
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