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Ashen Mortality

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Ashen Mortality
Tim Cooper, Ian Arkley, Melanie Bolton, and Ben Jones.
Tim Cooper, Ian Arkley, Melanie Bolton, and Ben Jones.
Background information
OriginHalesowen/Birmingham, UK
GenresDoom metal, gothic metal,[1] black metal[1]
Years active1993–2005
LabelsForsaken Records
Past membersIan Arkley
Melanie Bolton
Tim Cooper
Ben Jones
Andi Lee
Jasen Whyte
Neil Shilvock
George Aytoun

Ashen Mortality were a British doom metal band formed in 1993 by Ian Arkley (Seventh Angel) and Melanie Bolton. They and Paramaecium are the best known Christian Doom metal bands, though they were always wary of being typecast as such.[3] They recorded two demos, and two albums, and played many gigs in England, the Netherlands and Germany. Featuring clean and growled male vocals, and female vocals, their music was heavy, slow to mid-paced, and influenced by medieval music, doom, death and goth. The band split up in 2005, when Arkley went on to form My Silent Wake.

Biography

The first demo tape, Ashen Mortality, was recorded at The Wall, Birmingham, England, from 9–11 October 1993, and engineered by Andy Wickett. The band's first gig was with Rez Band, during November 1993 in Salford, England. During 1994, Ashen Mortality played many gigs around the United Kingdom, including a show at the Brixton Academy, London, on 14 May. The second demo was recorded between 16–18 July 1994 at Attic Studios, shortly after which, Jones left the band. On 24 August, Ashen Mortality played at the Greenbelt festival with stand-in drummer, Neal Harris. Harris also played with the band during the tour of Holland and Germany from 2–29 September.

Three tracks from the second demo, "Separation", "Sleepless Remorse" and "Imprisoned", were remixed, and four new songs recorded in 1995 to form Sleepless Remorse, the band's first album. Harris played drums on the new tracks, although Jones can be heard on the remixed demo songs. The album was recorded at Attic Studios (now closed), and was produced for a mere £400. Sleepless Remorse was released in 1996 on Forsaken Records, set up by Bolton. Neil Shilvock joined the band on drums. Ashen Mortality played many gigs in England during the year, playing with bands including: At the Gates, Serenade (band), Acrimony and Hecate Enthroned.

After a mini-tour to support the release of Sleepless Remorse in 1997, Shilvock left the band, and George Aytoun stepped in to help out. Ashen Mortality played at the Greenbelt festival over the August bank holiday weekend. Aytoun officially joined the band in 1998, and recorded Your Caress. The recording process took place in April 1998.[4] The album was recorded in two days, and mixed in one by Dan Sprigg at Dep International. The band used the same engineer and studio as Cradle of Filth. Shortly after this recording the band relocated to Weston-super-Mare. The band started to play local gigs again in 1999, and the official website was constructed by Aytoun, and launched over the summer. Ashen Mortality appeared at the Greenbelt festival at the beginning of August. The band obtained worldwide distribution for Your Caress through Plastic Head. With the exception of a few local gigs, there was little band activity in 2000. Plans to record a third album faded away. After several years of inactivity, the band re-emerged in 2004. Having recruited a new drummer and bassist, they began rehearsing again, and played 2 live gigs.

Due to illness, Cooper was unavailable for the band's final appearances in Norway and the United Kingdom. The last performances featured Andi Lee on bass guitar and Jasen Whyte on drums. A double CD reissue of the two albums, remastered with extra tracks, was released in 2005. The band finally split up, with the original band members going their separate ways in April 2005. Ian subsequently formed My Silent Wake with ex-Ashen Mortality musicians Andi Lee and Jason Whyte, Century Sleeper with James Allin of Visionaire, and played in The Other Window with Alan Southorn. A few years later, Ian also reformed Seventh Angel. In August 2006, Tim Cooper died of leukemia.[5]

Members

Last Known Lineup
Former
  • Ben Jones - drums (1993-1994)
  • Neil Shilvock - drums (1996-1997)
  • George Aytoun - drums (1998-2001)
  • Marcelo Lopes - drums
Live

Discography

Studio albums
  • Sleepless Remorse (1996)[6]
  • Your Caress (1998)[7]
Demos
  • Ashen Mortality (1993)[8]
  • Separation (1994)[9]

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b DaRanco, Mike. "Biography: Ashen Mortality". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  2. ^ a b "ASHEN MORTALITY". RockDetector. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  3. ^ Spencer, John (14 August 1999). "Ashen Mortality - Your Caress". The Phantom Tollbooth. Open Publishing. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2007.
  4. ^ "Ashen Mortality". Art For The Ears Zine. 10 November 1999. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Tim Cooper 1969 - 2006: Ashen Mortality Bassist Tim Cooper dies of leukemia". Cross Rhythms. 22 August 2006. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  6. ^ Anderson, Matt (1 June 1997). "Review: Sleepless Remorse - Ashen Mortality". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 8 November 2016. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  7. ^ Figgis, Alex (1 April 1999). "Review: Your Caress - Ashen Mortality". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  8. ^ Cummings, Tony (1 December 1993). "Review: Ashen Mortality - Ashen Mortality". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  9. ^ Anderson, Matt (1 October 1994). "Review: Separation - Ashen Mortality". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
Sources
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