From Ashes Reborn: “a full scene is often judged and misperceived due to a few fools”

You can read this post in: Português

From Ashes Reborn is a metal act featuring musicians from different parts of Germany, founded in 2017. Their debut „Existence Exiled“ was recorded and produced at Klangschmiede Studio E in cooperation with Producer Markus Stock (Empyrium, The Vision Bleak, Sun of the Sleepless) and released in May 2018.

We had a conversation with the drummer Thomas, and he said about the beginnings, the compositional process and other things.

GroundCast: First of all, could you tell us a bit of the band history?

Actually, our guitarist Dirk and I met in kindergarden – we know each other for 30 years and we are performing music together since we are 14. Together we founded a band called BADOC which Sebastian, our 2^nd guitarist and Tobias, Bassist, joined. After BADOC split up in 2016, we decided to form a new band with a new singer. It took until 2017 that we found a new voice with Ronny. Since our musical capabilities and also favors have developed, and Ronny brought a totally new voice to our songs, it was important for us to start this as a new band, with new concept.

GroundCast: What are your influences?

We have a very diversified mix of influences, ranging from old Dissection, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Kataklysm to more new bands like Fleshgod Apocalypse or Der Weg einer Freiheit. But there also bands like Cannibal Corpse, Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Cradle of Filth, Trivium, Kreator or Dark Funeral that are influential for us in a way. We still have an ear on the underground and are permanently listening and digging for new stuff.

GroundCast: The band is really new and in one year you were able to release the album “Existence Exiled”. Could you tell us how was the composition process, production and how you managed to make it in this short period of time?

We have never stopped writing songs after BADOC split up, and there was this selection of tracks, that we identified as our new musical direction. After Ronny joined the band, we continued songwriting as we also had a clear understanding, of which style he brings into the band and how this affects the music. So eventually not all songs were written in one year, but they are all new so to speak as they were written for FROM ASHES REBORN. Over the years, we have worked out a good routine to create new songs. Typically, our guitarists write a song or at least elements and fragments of a song, which are then completed or enriched by the other one. After this, I compose the drum parts. After all that is done, the lyrics are created and the vocals lines written. Then there is typically a process of 2-3 months, where the song gets finetuned until it reaches its final stage. In all process steps, we have kind of a democratic principal and everyone is allowed to provide feedback or ideas, while the main songwriter typically has the last word or makes the decision.

GroundCast: I know it is soon to talk about a new release, but what can we still expect from the band for this year and the next?

A new release will definitely take some time, but it is our clear ambition to write and record a follow-up album in the future. This year we are still promoting and soon the first merchandise pieces will arrive. Beside that, we are evaluating options to bring “Existence Exiled” on stage.

GroundCast: How was the acceptance from “Existence Exiled”?

Very Good. Existence Exiled achieved very positive feedback not only in Germany, but also from US, Canada, Australia & Scandinavia, even Japan, both by press and fans. Also, our followers on social media channels and bandcamp are widely spread across the globe. It´s a great thing to see, that FROM ASHES REBORN is able to satisfy listeners to that style of metal globally.

GroundCast: The album cover was made by Chris Cold, an artist that is unbelievable good. How was to work with him and why did you choose him to make the cover of your first release?

We were browsing the internet for cover artworks, that are supposed to give as an artistic direction of the artwork style. It was very important for us, to have an artwork that blows everyone away and which would make you buy the album without having heard the bad. We coincidentally landed on Chris` online portfolio and were stoked by his talent. He showcased there some artworks which we liked very much, and we simply asked him if there is a chance to get an artwork for the band. Especially the dark atmosphere and the way he mixes the colors is amazing. He agreed and after giving him a rough outline on the context and concept of our ideas and the album, we had an iterative process of drafting and improving the result. Actually, we changed the color coding a bit for the final result versus the original from Chris, but the artwork is mind-blowing.

GroundCast: I live in Germany since 2014 and I saw how this extreme right pollical view wave grew with the years and specially inside the heavy metal that is a style that was always multicultural. Do you believe that this extremist view impacts in the music industry you are in?

Most likely, it does. Which is sad. The majority of the bands out there is not into politics or extreme radical opinions at all. And then a full scene is often judged and misperceived due to a few fools, that use this way of art to transport their crazy thinking. Or people who think it needs to be always more extreme and need this to provoke and to get attention. But that’s how human beings are. FROM ASHES REBORN is not into this and politics will never be part of our music or lyrics.

GroundCast: Nowadays is easy to download music illegally and even countries like Germany, which have laws to punish people that do it, became impossible to stop it. We also have services like Spotify that unfortunately pays little to the artists. What is your opinion about this?

It´s a mixed picture. On the one hand, it´s good that there is a legal alternative to distribute music digitally. We are ourselves are all heavy Spotify or streaming service user – and for people who consume so much music as we do, it´s a great product. It also gives the bands and the music business people data and information – which is a huge advantage versus the illegal downloading platforms. On the other hand, as you say, the payment is much too little. Digital Distribution, for 98% of the bands no matter which genre, is a promotion platform, but nothing where you can earn money. Personally, I see it as a chance and a positive development. The days, where bands sold hundreds of thousands of records are gone – the entire business has changed. That’s a fact. And the industry is in a much better position compared to 2000.

GroundCast: Thank you for your time, now the space is your to say something to our readers.

Thanks for the interview and for featuring FROM ASHES REBORN! We are looking forward to stay in touch and hope that there are some maniacs who enjoy Existence Exiled!

From Ashes Reborn: “a full scene is often judged and misperceived due to a few fools”

4 min

Posted by Fabio