AsZension - Primordial Enigma
from ProgSphere's Progstravaganza Compilation of Awesomeness - Part 11 by Prog Sphere
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about
AsZension Is a Canadian progressive/instrumental band formed in 2007 by multi-instrumentalists Kevin Thiessen and Calvin Shiu, which focuses on fusing metal and progressive rock with a wide array of instrumentation, ethnic soundscapes and musical styles. The bands self-titled debut album was released on January 1st 2012, and soon earned a nomination for Best Début Record at the 2012 ”Prog Awards” The Web World Awards dedicated to Progressive Rock. The album also features the technical and creative drumming of Kyle Sheppard with guest appearances by guitarist Evan Arnott and bassist David Philippe, plus a bonus vocal performance by Geoff Ross on the band’s interpretation of the Gentle Giant classic ”Playing The Game”.
‘’Strange, vibrant, enchanting music played… Seemingly simple musical elements woven into song, gradually expanding, always a promise of ecstasy towards their music.’’ – Passzio Webzine
The roots of AsZension began in the summer of 2007, after studies in Contemporary Music and Technology, audio engineering, production and guitar at Selkirk college in Nelson B.C., Thiessen began seeking out like minded collaborators for a musical project that would in essence, fuse metal and progressive rock with a wide array of instrumentation, ethnic soundscapes and musical styles. Thiessen approached guitarist and engineer Calvin Shiu, a martial arts practitioner and at the time, a recording arts student at the university of lethbridge, to see if he would be interested in contributing musical and co-production efforts to the project. This would eventually lead to the incorporation of the ”Shamisen”, a japanese fretless lute-like instrument into the work of AsZension and in turn, inspire the usage of additional world instruments achieved through the advent of ”virtual instrument technology” or otherwise known as ”Vst’s” in todays digital recording era. To complete the percussive audio spectrum, drummer Kyle Sheppard, a fellow Selkirk peer of Thiessen and lifelong friend of Shiu, with whom Thiessen had already had a working relationship during their studies at selkirk, naturally joined the fold to create the basis of ”AsZension”.
Although Thiessen’s instrumental contributions to ”AsZension” account for various elements such as 7 and 12 string electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, mandolin, synthesizers, programming, voice and percussion, they also account for the composing, arranging, producing, engineering, mixing and mastering of the album. Shiu contributes the exotic styling’s of the Shamisen, along with co-production and engineering duties. Also adding color to the melodic canvas, are guests and fellow college peers Evan Arnott, 7 string and midi electric guitars (tracks 2 and 11) and Geoff Ross: Vocals on the band’s interpretation of the Gentle Giant classic ”Playing The Game”. Additional performances by band friend David Philippe: Fretless and fretted bass guitars on ”Playing The Game” as well as track 5 of the album.
”Be careful and Watch out: Here is a very hot contender for “Newcomer of the Year”. AsZension, from Canada, convinces us with their own interpretation of Progressive Rock across the board.’’ – Empire Magazine
The musical influences of AsZension have often been derived from the great prog bands of the 70′s and 80′s such as Rush, Gentle Giant, Camel, King Crimson, Yes and IQ. There is also a strong instrumental guitar influence, from the likes of Steve Morse or Tony Macalpine. Ambient and world trends are used heavily and at times, reminiscent of a more cinematic or ‘’ film-scoring’’ approach. Other metallic influences might include Opeth, Cynic or Porcupine Tree as well as world influences such as Karl Sanders, Dead Can Dance or even the Yoshida Brothers. The Name ”AsZension” is simply a Germanic spelling of the english word ”ascension” which means to ”ascend”.. The band adopted the ”Z” usage partly for aesthetics and mostly to have an underlying vibe of ”Tranquility” to the name. AsZension is primarily a studio project with plans of evolving to live performances in the future and pre-production for a new album is said to be currently underway, though according to the band, ” an official press release will be announced in the months approaching the new year, as a tentative release date in early 2013 will most likely transpire”.
Posted below, is the official AsZension CD Baby profile page, iTunes page, as well as the bands official website, Facebook and Myspace pages:
www.cdbaby.com/cd/aszension
itunes.apple.com/us/album/aszension/id492414896
www.aszension.com/home
www.facebook.com/AsZension
www.myspace.com/576818794
‘’Strange, vibrant, enchanting music played… Seemingly simple musical elements woven into song, gradually expanding, always a promise of ecstasy towards their music.’’ – Passzio Webzine
The roots of AsZension began in the summer of 2007, after studies in Contemporary Music and Technology, audio engineering, production and guitar at Selkirk college in Nelson B.C., Thiessen began seeking out like minded collaborators for a musical project that would in essence, fuse metal and progressive rock with a wide array of instrumentation, ethnic soundscapes and musical styles. Thiessen approached guitarist and engineer Calvin Shiu, a martial arts practitioner and at the time, a recording arts student at the university of lethbridge, to see if he would be interested in contributing musical and co-production efforts to the project. This would eventually lead to the incorporation of the ”Shamisen”, a japanese fretless lute-like instrument into the work of AsZension and in turn, inspire the usage of additional world instruments achieved through the advent of ”virtual instrument technology” or otherwise known as ”Vst’s” in todays digital recording era. To complete the percussive audio spectrum, drummer Kyle Sheppard, a fellow Selkirk peer of Thiessen and lifelong friend of Shiu, with whom Thiessen had already had a working relationship during their studies at selkirk, naturally joined the fold to create the basis of ”AsZension”.
Although Thiessen’s instrumental contributions to ”AsZension” account for various elements such as 7 and 12 string electric and acoustic guitars, bass guitar, mandolin, synthesizers, programming, voice and percussion, they also account for the composing, arranging, producing, engineering, mixing and mastering of the album. Shiu contributes the exotic styling’s of the Shamisen, along with co-production and engineering duties. Also adding color to the melodic canvas, are guests and fellow college peers Evan Arnott, 7 string and midi electric guitars (tracks 2 and 11) and Geoff Ross: Vocals on the band’s interpretation of the Gentle Giant classic ”Playing The Game”. Additional performances by band friend David Philippe: Fretless and fretted bass guitars on ”Playing The Game” as well as track 5 of the album.
”Be careful and Watch out: Here is a very hot contender for “Newcomer of the Year”. AsZension, from Canada, convinces us with their own interpretation of Progressive Rock across the board.’’ – Empire Magazine
The musical influences of AsZension have often been derived from the great prog bands of the 70′s and 80′s such as Rush, Gentle Giant, Camel, King Crimson, Yes and IQ. There is also a strong instrumental guitar influence, from the likes of Steve Morse or Tony Macalpine. Ambient and world trends are used heavily and at times, reminiscent of a more cinematic or ‘’ film-scoring’’ approach. Other metallic influences might include Opeth, Cynic or Porcupine Tree as well as world influences such as Karl Sanders, Dead Can Dance or even the Yoshida Brothers. The Name ”AsZension” is simply a Germanic spelling of the english word ”ascension” which means to ”ascend”.. The band adopted the ”Z” usage partly for aesthetics and mostly to have an underlying vibe of ”Tranquility” to the name. AsZension is primarily a studio project with plans of evolving to live performances in the future and pre-production for a new album is said to be currently underway, though according to the band, ” an official press release will be announced in the months approaching the new year, as a tentative release date in early 2013 will most likely transpire”.
Posted below, is the official AsZension CD Baby profile page, iTunes page, as well as the bands official website, Facebook and Myspace pages:
www.cdbaby.com/cd/aszension
itunes.apple.com/us/album/aszension/id492414896
www.aszension.com/home
www.facebook.com/AsZension
www.myspace.com/576818794
credits
from ProgSphere's Progstravaganza Compilation of Awesomeness - Part 11,
track released September 10, 2012
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Prog Sphere
Prog Sphere Promotions is a boutique agency providing bands representation and public relations in the music industry, with a tendency of supporting up-and-coming bands from all around the world. Our primary goal is to enable these bands to be heard, as we think they really deserve attention of radio&tv stations, internet&printed magazines, web portals, and of course the fans of progressive music. ... more
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