APRIL 15th 2022
ASH OF ASHES EXCLUSIVE
Metal Titans very own, Metal Mom had the opportunity to interview Markus from ASH OF ASHES, an Epic Skaldic Metal band out of Germany. Forming in 2014, the band is relatively new to the metal scene, and with a new album coming out in May 2022 called "TRACES", we got a chance to talk about the new upcoming release and more.
MT: How did you come up with the band name Ash of Ashes?
Markus: Hello Rita, thanks for your interview questions. The name really appeared one day when I was walking my dog. It just came to me, and I was thinking about it, because there is ash and also the ash tree. When you combine those two, it could mean it's the ash of burnt ash trees. Or it could mean the biggest ash tree of them all (Yggdrasil). Or it is an Ash (tree) that is born of ashes. So there is no definite way of what it means, but it's all connected to mythology and/or nature. I found that to be a fascinating thought.
MT: Can you please tell us what Skaldic Metal is, for me, I have never heard of this before.
Markus: A Skald is a poet of Old Norse poetry. A bit like a troubadour, but from the north. So we thought it fits our “Storyteller Metal” mentality really well. But you could also describe our style as Pagan Metal or Epic Metal. We just thought it's good to have a unique description of our style. There are also influences of Folk and Black Metal to be found in our music.
MT: Who creates your songs, and where does the inspiration come from?
Markus: We have a pretty clear way of writing. I'm writing all the music while Morten writes all the lyrics. That's it. The inspiration for the music I write comes from listening to other music, or walking through nature. Everything that is around me inspires me, so it's important to be surrounded by the good things.
MT: What do you think made you so successful right from the start?
Markus: It's hard to define what successful really means, but yes, we had a great start for sure. One of the good things that happened is that one of our songs got featured on a pretty big Spotify playlist, which gave us a lot of listeners right from the start. But on the other hand, we worked really hard to make a great album with great melodic music that is meant to stand the test of time. We are still underground and don't work together with big labels. But we're very happy with where we are.
MT: Very cool image for your new album, how did you come about with this design, your idea or a combination of people?
Markus: We wanted to have a cover artwork that looks like our music sounds, and also wanted to have some details of the song lyrics visible in the picture. The painter Christopher Rakkestad is also a guest singer on the album. I sent him the music before he started painting and gave him some advice, but also left him a lot of freedom. The result was this amazingly epic landscape that we couldn't be happier with!
MT: Your new album "Traces" is to be released in May of this year, was it a long process to pull it all together and record?
Markus: Yes! I'm surprised every time how long everything takes. One day, you begin to write a song demo. Then besides the composition and the lyrics, there is the recording process. I'm also a sound engineer, so I also mix and master all the music. The standards are high, so that also takes longer than working for other bands. And when you think you're done, there is also the whole part of artwork, layout and design. But then it's still not done, because you also need to promote the album and do all kinds of distribution. Don't get me wrong, in the end it's always worth it, and you forget all the time you spent making it.
MT: With this album you have Morten, Stryx and Sethras along for the ride, tell us how they came to be a part of this album?
Markus: Morten was part of the project from pretty early on. Actually, I asked him if he knows anybody that would like to write lyrics for my new project, and he thought of some, but was also up for doing it himself. I'm really happy to have him on my side.
When we wanted to bring the band to the stage, we needed some other musicians. Drummer Dennis from the first album unfortunately didn't have the time for a live commitment. So for the live band I found Alboin and Sethras who knew drummer Stryx. The gig at the Ragnarök festival worked really well and when it was about time to record the album I also wanted to work with them. Unfortunately, I didn't have a job for Alboin on “Traces”, because I preferred to record the bass guitar myself. But the other two played on the album next to me and Morten.
MT: I read about your last song "To Those Long Forgotten", I think in today's world, with what is happening, this will have a big impact on people, what made you decide to do a song like this?
Markus: When we wrote and recorded this song, it was long before the current war started, so it is only a coincidence that we feature this topic. But it is here now which gives the song an even more emotional side. It is about parents who mourn their child that leaves into war and dies.
MT: You also have 2 guests on it, Runahild and Christopher Rakkestad, how did they come to be the guests on this song?
Markus: Rúnahild was already a guest on our first album and I when it was clear that we need a female singer, because there was a female role in the lyrics, I thought of her. She is a fantastic person, and we also met in real life when I visited Norway. I only want to work with people I personally know and like, but I didn't consider that I actually never heard her sing in English before. She wanted to do guest vocals, but she also was a bit concerned if she would sound well enough singing in English, because she never does. Luckily, she did an amazing job for her part and even improvised a “singing solo” in the end of the song. Everything nice I could say about her, I feel wouldn't be enough. She is a very genuine person, and I'm glad she’s our musical guest once again.
Concerning the role of the father in the lyrics to the song, I thought I wasn’t the right one to sing it, since my voice has a very young sound to it. Also, there is a pretty low note in there which didn't sound right with my voice. I was searching for someone fitting. In the past I did mixing work for the band Elvarhøi in which Christopher is the singer and bass player. One day I heard that they recorded a URIAH HEEP cover song, which was the first time I heard him sing in English. I was convinced he could pull it off for our song, and I was right! There are also some more guests on this album. I want to thank every one of them for making the album much better!
MT: There are 9 songs on Traces, do you personally have a favourite song? If so why that one?
01. Beyond White Waters (instrumental) 02:55
02. Under the Midnight Sun 05:34
03. Into Eternity (feat. Lars Jensen) 05:20
04. The Eternal Traveller 04:41
05. Evermore 04:35
06. Vem kan segla förutan vind (trad., feat. Thomas Clifford) 02:17
07. A Lion Guards Our Names 04:11
08. Southbound 05:19
09.To Those Long Forgotten (feat. Rúnahild & Christopher Rakkestad)
Markus: Oh, that's a hard question. A bit like picking your favourite child. I think “Evermore” is my favourite, because it has a strong positive energy that still grabs me. I also like the more complex “Under the Midnight Sun”, which has some interesting guitar movements. So, what's your favourite? :)
MT: Honestly cannot decide, the songs are unique, and maybe with a few more listens, I will be able to pick a favourite, but I have enjoyed the tracks most certainly.
MT: Will you be touring in support of this album?
Markus: I hope we'll do a few gigs, but there is no tour planned.
MT: What made you decide to create your music, was there something that when you were growing up, or just something you needed to do?
Markus: The latter one. I just need to write music, there is no way around. Some people are just wired that way, I think, while others are wired to write poems, paint pictures or create something else. So it was never a choice that I ended up doing music.
MT: So far, what has been the best about being in Ash of Ashes?
Markus: It's the amount of lovely people you meet online or in real life because of the band and the positive energy that gets created because of the music and the people enjoying it. I hope our albums can stand the test of time, it's important for me to make timeless music.
MT: What are your plans once the album has been released?
Markus: You can't imagine how happy I'll be when this album is finally released! I think I'll enjoy the feeling of a new album for a short while and then start writing a new one. ;)
MT: Is there anything you would like to add to this interview that I may have missed asking?
Markus: Yes, I want to thank people like you, Rita! Doing this all in your free time and letting the underground live. The good people need to stick together and remember it only works if we stand united! There is nothing more important than living together in peace.
Thank you (Danke) so much for taking the time to do this interview with Metaltitans.
Markus: Thank you and up the irons!
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