Asrai (band)
Encyclopedia
Asrai is a band from Schiedam
, Netherlands
. Their music is mostly on the border between gothic
and metal genres.
Asrai released several demo-tapes from 1989 to 1994 ("the Blue tape", "So clear that you couldn't tell where the water ended and the air began", "Love is a Lie", "Live in a package"). Finally in 1997 they released their debut CD, As Voices Speak. This CD was noticed and signed to the label Poison Ivy. On this label a German release of As voices speak was issued.
From 1997 Asrai took time to perfect their sound and to find the right line-up.
In the meantime, contracted by Transmission Records, Asrai recorded their second CD Touch in the Dark. Roman Schoensee produced this CD while Sascha Paeth mixed it.
The CD was recorded in both Holland (Excess Studio) and Germany (Beautiful Lake Studio).
On May 26, 2004, the album Touch in the Dark was released in most European countries as well as in Asia and North and South America.
The single "Pale Light" was released May 6th. The video-clip for their single was made by the duo Marcel de Jong and Jelle Swetter.
Their second single from the album Touch in the Dark ("In front of me") was released on September 23. Again the videoclip was made by Marcel de Jong and Jelle Swetter, in addition to Maud Mulder.
In December 2006, metal and rock label Season of Mist proudly announced the fresh signing of Asrai. Their third full-length album was scheduled for late spring 2007, with plans for a European tour to follow. Asrai commented: "After Touch in the Dark, new songs were to be released and a new path to be explored to let loose our next album. Travelling through different seasons, the best was the misty one. Season of Mist appeared and the road became clear to us all. We are looking forward to combine both our visions. We can't wait to say; Season of Mist 'till death do us part'."
Asrai's newest album, Pearls in Dirt was released on the 12th of November 2007 (November 20th in the U.S.), and the first single, "Sour Ground", was released on November 5th.
Schiedam
Schiedam is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. It is part of the Rotterdam metropolitan area. The city is located west of Rotterdam, east of Vlaardingen and south of Delft...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Their music is mostly on the border between gothic
Gothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
and metal genres.
History
Asrai's roots lay in the 1980s. The band was formed in 1985 and changed their name in 1988 to Asrai. Several of its members played in various punk and new-wave bands. At that time their music already had a melancholic dark side.Asrai released several demo-tapes from 1989 to 1994 ("the Blue tape", "So clear that you couldn't tell where the water ended and the air began", "Love is a Lie", "Live in a package"). Finally in 1997 they released their debut CD, As Voices Speak. This CD was noticed and signed to the label Poison Ivy. On this label a German release of As voices speak was issued.
From 1997 Asrai took time to perfect their sound and to find the right line-up.
In the meantime, contracted by Transmission Records, Asrai recorded their second CD Touch in the Dark. Roman Schoensee produced this CD while Sascha Paeth mixed it.
The CD was recorded in both Holland (Excess Studio) and Germany (Beautiful Lake Studio).
On May 26, 2004, the album Touch in the Dark was released in most European countries as well as in Asia and North and South America.
The single "Pale Light" was released May 6th. The video-clip for their single was made by the duo Marcel de Jong and Jelle Swetter.
Their second single from the album Touch in the Dark ("In front of me") was released on September 23. Again the videoclip was made by Marcel de Jong and Jelle Swetter, in addition to Maud Mulder.
In December 2006, metal and rock label Season of Mist proudly announced the fresh signing of Asrai. Their third full-length album was scheduled for late spring 2007, with plans for a European tour to follow. Asrai commented: "After Touch in the Dark, new songs were to be released and a new path to be explored to let loose our next album. Travelling through different seasons, the best was the misty one. Season of Mist appeared and the road became clear to us all. We are looking forward to combine both our visions. We can't wait to say; Season of Mist 'till death do us part'."
Asrai's newest album, Pearls in Dirt was released on the 12th of November 2007 (November 20th in the U.S.), and the first single, "Sour Ground", was released on November 5th.
Studio Albums
- 1997: As Voices Speak
- 2004: Touch in the Dark
- 2007: Pearls in Dirt
Collaborations
The following artists have been involved with Asrai:- Amanda SomervilleAmanda SomervilleAmanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter and vocal coach.- Personal life :Somerville was born in Flushing, Michigan, and attended Flushing Senior High School and the University of Michigan in Flint, Michigan...
- Worked as lyrical editor on Touch in the Dark (2004)