It's a bit hard for people to vote for a Sirenia album over a Tristania album when you're posting this on a Tristania fan forum. I don't think they can even be compared because they're two different albums. Both of them are the weakest albums of each of the bands (not bad, just the weakest). They were both released after spectacular albums (WoG and ASAS), so it's hard not to find them disappointing. However, if I have to choose, I think Ashes is slightly better because songs are somehow more accessible than AEFE.