Ascension



Ascension founded around Easter 1993 under the name ’Decay’, but a steady line-up was fixed for the first time in the autumn of 1997. A little bit later, the name ’Ascension’ was born. The first Ascension demo CD ’Walking on the psychopath’ was released in March 2001. Ascension play Melodic Death Metal, but none of the kind In Flames for example does. Rather we try to put more curious and jazzy sounds into our music. It's hard to draw a comparison to other bands. Roughly outlined, Ascension settles between new Death, Carcass and Atheist (but few technical) but it contains also trademarks of other styles. In July 2001 three members (Olli-bass, Davud-voc and Holgi-drums) left the band. But the two members who were left (Zeisi-git and Chris-git) decided to continue with the band. Two new musicians were found in October 2001: Robin (bass, from the Thrashers of ’Red To Grey’ and Martin (drums, ex-’Last Salvation). In Summer 2002, Robin decided to quit Ascension because he wants to concentrate on his main band ’Red To Grey’. The bass parts on our forthcoming Album will be played by old bass man Olli. Whether he re-enters the band or not isn't clear at the moment. Release date of ’Ascension’ (selftitled) will be probably in January 2003.

interview with Chris on 20-01-2001

Please give us a short introduction of yourself?
Hi, It's me, Chris, guitarist of Ascension. First I'd like to tell you something about our band: Ascension was founded 1993 under the name ’Decay’. After some lineup changes we found the sound we wanted to play - Melodic Death. Not in that Swedish way (although e.g. At The Gates are one of my favorites!), but rather a little bit more experimental. In March 2001, we released our first Demo (’Walking On The Psychopath’) since 1995. The band nearly broke in Summer 2001, when our singer Davud and our bass man Olli left the band. In this situation, also our Drummer Holgi quitted. After a few weeks, we (The left ones: Other guitarist Zeisi and me) decided to go on with the band. We found new musicians: Martin (ex-Last Salvation) and Robin (bass player of the Thrashers ’Red To Grey’). At the moment, we practice some old songs and write new ones for our first complete CD, to be released in Summer 2002.

Are you still satisfied with the bandname?
Yes. Cause it's got a little bit of a metaphor. We always want to advance our sound and get better.

Explain the combination of metal and jazz?
Just get Atheist in your CD-Player and you know who it's gotta sound. We aren't Atheist (we're just not these good musicians to play in THIS complex way) but we try to keep our songs more interesting by putting some clean parts in it. On the other side: We dont' say: Hey, we have got to put a clean part in this song. The clean/jazz parts come while writing the songs or they don't come.

What kind of music do you listen to yourself?
Metal. And all different kinds of it. I don't restrict to Death Metal. In my fave list, there are also Nevermore, Deftones, Psychotic Waltz, Crowbar...

Maybe trying to put other influences in new songs?
Yes, we already try to put some jazzy and classical guitar parts in our songs, but like mentioned above: This comes automatically and is not calculated before.

Why do you play music? What is yor drive?
Music is one of the most important things in life. We always try to improve our sound, to get it as perfect as we can.

What kind of movies do you watch?
I'm not fixed on the genre, but I love the Tarantino style and well-made horror. Great moments of movie are: Pulp Fiction, From Dusk till dawn, Reservoir Dogs, Kalifornia, True Romance, Braindead, I Kina spiser de Hunde (great danish stuff!), U-Turn, Alien... There are so much more...

Do you collect something? Spend much money on it?
DVDs and CDs. Especially DVDs is an expensive hobby...

What would you like to achieve in your life?
Puh, not an easy question. Didn't thought about it so much. Perhaps to release some fine CDs that many people like?

Do you write a diary to see if your dreams came true?
No. I rather write new songs ;-)

Which animals do you dislike? Why?
Dogs. Our neighbors breed dogs, and I had some - how can I say - unpleasant meetings with that pooches. They are simply suspect to me.

What is the name of the blue elephant of Der Maus?
Don't know. Has it got a name?

How do you expand your knowledge?
Mostly by reading.

Do you believe in telepathic magic?
Nope.

Ever had an unreal experience? Tried to explain later on?
Not that I can remember. Wait, the beer got more expensive as the EURO came.

Any interest in outer space life forms?
Not really. I like SciFi, but I don't deal much with it. Ask Peter Tägtgren or Voivod...

What are your fav movies?
See above :-)

Can you imagine the thoughts of kamikaze pilots?
No. Sorry, can't answer that question.

Last rites?
First, thanx to Twan (brutals to you) for making this intie. And greetings to all the bands, zines and labels outta there: Keep the underground alive (I know it's a standard phrase, but it can't be said often enough)!

Contact:
Christoph Nadler
Haydnstr. 8a
D-82299 Tuerkenfeld
Germany
Band:
Interviewer: twansibon
Jan 20, 2001
Next interview: April Ethereal interview

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