Post-Metal
collective – Ashes And Iron – have been gone a long time. They
released their debut release back in 2008 which I'm a huge fan of.
Now 6 years later this hugely talented band are back with their new
album – The Wind Takes A Side.
I
said this about their new album:
“The
Wind Takes A Side is a stunning album that will appeal to all fans of
Instrumental Rock/Metal. It’s a shame the album didn’t have one
more epic song to close with as 31 minutes isn’t enough for a band
like Ashes And Iron. I hope it is not another 6 years for their next
release. My advice is to buy this album now, as it is a must-have
record.”
The
guys have kindly agreed to an interview with ourselves at Sludgelord
HQ.
Q1
– Hi guys. How are things with you all today?
Ian:
Super awesome. We love the wintertime.
Q2
– Can you give a brief history to our readers of how the band came
about and where it is today?
Chris:
We formed A&I in 2006. We released "Silens" in 2008.
Since then, we've had a few lineup changes, but Thad and I have stuck
it out the entire time. Shortly after the Silens release, our
original 2nd guitarist (David Miller) left the band to move to NYC.
He was replaced by Ian Mahan. Our vocalist/keyboard player (Kenny
Snarzyk) left the band and later formed Fister. This was a big
turning point for the band because vocals and keys were very present
in our music. Not too long after Kenny's departure, our bassist (Dave
Lawrence) decided that he wasn't interested in playing music anymore
and he left as well. He was replaced by Dave Goodman. Once we were
a solid unit again, we had to adapt to the changes of bringing new
members into the fold... Different influences, different writing
styles, etc. It was difficult, but then something clicked and we
started writing what would be the new album. It was during this time
that we decide to remain instrumental.
Q3
– Why did you choose the name Ashes and Iron? Any specific meaning
to the band?
Chris:
It was the original title to the song “Silens” from our first
release. Our vocalist (Kenny Snarzyk) at the time came up with the
name. I don't remember the story behind it though.
Q4
– How would you describe your own sound, as I feel it's best coming
from the band themselves?
Ian:
We’re loud. We’re melodic. We’re instrumental. We’re
heavy. We’re air movers.
Q5
– We have to talk about your new album – The Wind Takes A Side -
So are you excited, nervous or thrilled what people are going to make
of it.
Thad:
It is definitely a mix of all three. I’m sure other artists,
musicians, or anyone that does anything creative can relate to this.
The amount of time from inception to final product takes so long that
all of those emotions factor in at one point during the process.
When we were in the studio working on mixing the album, I was most
excited for others to hear what we were hearing, coming through the
monitors. I still wish people could hear the album there. That’s
where it sounds best; although we are more than happy with how it
sounds everywhere else too. Then, once everything was finished and
the label started to trickle out promo material, I was nervous to see
what people had to say…nervous that people may say nothing at all;
that it may go unnoticed. However, to my surprise, people did notice
it. They have been posting reviews and commenting on the album and I
am thrilled with the reception The Wind Takes A Side has received
both locally and in cyberspace. I’m particularly excited to get on
the road and play shows out of town to promote the record.
Q6
– Was it a hard or easy album to write and record for. As you have
a lot of different sounds going on with the album.
Ian:
Writing the album took a lot of time and energy. We were always
chasing the proverbial dragon. The title track of the album is
nearly 5 years old. However, we were still writing additional parts
in the studio. Arguably, our songs are always evolving and open to
new interpretations and additions. Recording the album was also
energy consuming. Thad did all of the heavy lifting in the studio.
And, let the record show, Thad is a top notch
drummer/engineer/mixer/architect/dude.
Q7
– What influenced you when writing and recording the album.
Ian:
The short answer: we want to write music/songs that move or make the
listener feel like they've been somewhere. The long answer: we are a
pretty diverse group of dudes. Of course, we all come from the rock
and roll/heavy music background. Our common rock background is where
we usually begin when we set out to write new material. However,
after initial ideas have been shared for a particular tune the song
can literally go anywhere. And, we have years (literally) of riffs
waiting to find a spot in one of our songs. As noted earlier, our
songs will never be totally complete. So, in reality, the fact that
our songs can go anywhere and be anything is what influences us. We
never want to be accused of 'mailing it in' ya know?
Q8
– Why did you choose the name The Wind Takes A Side for the title
of your album. Does it have any specific meaning to you as a band.
Ian:
I read 'Blood Meridian' by Cormac McCarthy a couple times while we
were writing for the record. The book revolves around some pretty
heavy themes (war, existence, time, etc.). The wind takes a side is
actually in the book at a turning point in the plot.
Q9
– Now I have to ask this question. Where have you guys been for 6
years? As you released “Silens” originally back in 2008. Hell of
a long wait.
Chris:
We had a few lineup changes. Some of us got married. Some of us
have kids now. Thad went back to school… Life just sort of got in
the way, but we’re back now!
Q10
– Were you apprehensive recording a new album since it has been a
long time since you released Silens?
Thad:
Our process tends to run long. Chris and I have been playing music
together for over 10 years and we’ve never been able to just crank
out songs. Honestly, writing music that we’re proud of is a
struggle. It’s all too easy to write riffs that we feel are just
OK; riffs that may not be bad by most people’s standards, but they
don’t “move” us emotionally or they feel cheesy after listening
to them a few times. Years ago we came to terms with the fact that
we just will never be those guys that can crank out an album each
year or even every 2 years. So there was no apprehension in that
capacity. However, we do record and mix our own music and I hadn’t
recorded a band since I did Fister’s Bronsonic record back in 2010.
So I was definitely nervous about getting back in the studio and
getting things to sound the way we wanted them to. I am always
nervous about that because the recording plays such a critical role
to the ears and minds of the listeners.
Q11
– Silens has slowly started receiving some awesome reviews over the
years. Has that surprised you on how well it has been received by
fans and critics in general?
Thad:
Positive reviews are always surprising. Maybe I’m just a
pessimist, but I assume that no one will like our music until I hear
otherwise. Our approach to music is so personal, we’re trying to
satisfy our own desires, that I fear listeners may have different
expectations. That’s certainly a fear of the unknown. But I
absolutely love it when others connect with our art. We make music
to move people and when it does we have succeeded.
Q12
– Looking back on Silens, would you change anything about it?
Thad:
My personal philosophy is one of no regrets. We wouldn’t be where
we are today without the specific decisions we made in the past.
That doesn’t mean Silens is a perfect record but considering all
factors, I am incredibly satisfied with both the recording quality
and the songwriting. But, if I force myself to give you an answer,
if I could go back and do anything again, it would be to pay someone
to do album art for it. We never really put any energy into
conceptualizing album art. I’m sure we didn’t do that at the
time because, more likely than not, we were broke after recording,
mixing, and mastering. But that’s the one element, for me, that
was lacking the same attention to detail we put into everything else.
Q13
– Which bands and artists influenced you all as musicians? Any
particular album that stands out that made you decide to become a
musician?
Thad:
My father was a guitar player. He was a blues musician in St. Louis
in the 60s and early 70s but sold all of his gear, except for one
acoustic guitar, to have money to support his family. I am one of
five and my three older siblings were all way into music, but only as
listeners, never performers. The love that the 4 of them have for
music is why I’m a musician today. I started playing trumpet at 9
years old and played competitively until I was 18. However, when I
was 14 I started teaching myself drums. I started my first band at
16. Since music was all around me my whole life, I can’t pinpoint
any one artist or album that was critical in my decision to pursue
music. However, the bands or genres that I consider pivotal in my
development as a musician are: Classical Composers and artists of all
sorts (Ravel, Yo Yo Ma, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Philip Glass, etc.),
Creedence Clearwater Revival, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Tool, Nine Inch
Nails, Jon Theodore, and Ben Koller (to name a few of the many).
Chris:
When I was around 2 years old, my sister’s boyfriend turned me on
to KISS. That’s what made me fall in love with the guitar. Other
big influences for me would be Dinosaur Jr, The Smiths, The Cure, The
Police, Black Sabbath, too many punk, thash, hardcore and metal bands
to name, Glenn Miller and other Big Band greats… Bands like
Neurosis and Today is the Day also had a big impact on me.
Dave:
The reason I started playing guitar/bass was George Lynch from
Dokken… Mr. Scary on the Back for the Attack album blew my 12 year
old mind and I just realized right there that I had to play guitar!
Other artists that affected my guitar brain soon after... Metallica,
Van Halen, Guns & Roses, Carcass, Napalm Death, Bill Frissell,
Fred Frith, Steve Morse, John McLaughlin, George VanEpps, Dave
Pajo/Slint, Duane Denison/Jesus lizard, King Buzzo/Melvins, Brian
Patton/Soilent Green, Scott Hobart/Giants Chair, Dimebag, Henry
Kaiser, etc.
Ian:
We have such a diverse background of influences...it's hard to pin
down. Any particular band? I can speak for myself and say that
hearing my parents play records (david bowie, the police, etc.) at
the house constantly made me first, a music fan, and secondly, a dude
who wants to get in front of people and play music.
Q14
– Congrats on getting your album released on Vinyl. You released
the album via two record labels – Good Die Young Music and
Encapsulated Records. How did you hook up with those two labels?
Chris:
Both labels are based in our hometown. We played a record release
show with with a couple bands on their roster (Indian Blanket and The
Lion’s Daughter) and they approached us. We’ve known Mike from
Encapsulated for years, so it just made sense.
Q15
– How important is a physical product to your band being either CD
or Vinyl? As some bands are relying on Digital Downloads for their
first release(s).
Dave:
I like the fact that Vinyl is making a comeback. I have personally
been playing music/guitar/bass for over 25 years, and recorded quite
a bit amongst all the bands I’ve ever been in, but never released
anything on vinyl. When the Ashes and Iron album was released, I was
actually able to hold my own record and it was a very gratifying
experience. I held it like it was a trophy!
Q16
– What is your musical setup when playing live or recording new
material? Do you have an advanced setup or basic setup?
Dave:
It's a pretty simple set up for both jamming, playing live and
recording for the most part. I guess in the studio you can take more
chances with tone and pursue other options for over all sounds, but
this band is very consistent when we jam out at practice, record or
play live.
Q17
– What is the song-writing dynamic in the band? Is it down to one
individual or a group collective?
Chris:
It usually starts with a riff that Ian or I have written and then we
collectively try to construct a song from there. It’s definitely a
team effort and doesn’t leave our practice space until it gets our
“seal of approval”.
Q18
– Apart from the new album release, what other plans do you have
over the next 12 months or so? Anything exciting you would like to
share with us.
Chris:
We just played a few dates with The Life and Times. We’re all
fans of that band, so it was really cool sharing the stage with them.
Dave:
We hope to do some long weekends throughout the Midwest this year.
We have other friends releasing albums in the next few months, so the
Midwest will be a good start to piggy back with some cool bands!
Crossing our fingers for an offer to go to Europe!!
Q19
– Do you find it hard being in a band in today's current climate?
If you could change anything about the Doom/Sludge Metal scene what
would it be and why?
Thad:
I don’t know if there’s anything unique to the Doom/Sludge Metal
scene that doesn’t seem to cut across all genres and be endemic of
music in the 21st century. I feel like we’re in a malaise of
sorts. Maybe it’s just me, maybe it’s nostalgia, maybe I’m not
looking hard enough or in the right places or maybe my expectations
are too high…but I think it shouldn’t have to take real effort to
hear or find great music. I feel that in bygone eras great music was
all around, people were inspired, innovating, and generally being
creative. It has been a really really long time since I heard
something new and had my mind blown. So, from that standpoint, it
can be difficult, lacking a climate of creativity and new ideas. But
maybe all of this is just a reflection of me and not a commentary on
the state of music today. That’s what I’d change though…for
there to be a general atmosphere of creativity and innovation.
People trying to push boundaries and not being afraid to make
something that other people hate, all for the sake of making
something they love.
Q20
– Do you guys get to gig regularly in your home-town or do you have
to travel further afield?
Chris:
We generally play St. Louis once every few months. We are just
getting back into playing other cities. It had been years since our
last out of state excursion, but the dates we recently played with
The Life and Times just primed our motor. We are looking forward to
doing that more frequently.
Q21
– Before you go do you have anything to say to your fans?
Thanks
for all the support over the years!! Please pick up a copy of the
new record so they don’t become obnoxious coasters!
Check out their excellent debut record – Silens – from 2008. It ‘s available for free download.
Check out their excellent debut record – Silens – from 2008. It ‘s available for free download.
Thanks
to Ashes And Iron for the promo. The Wind Takes A Side is available
to buy on DD/Vinyl from Good
Die Young Music/Encapsulated
Records
Words
by Steve Howe
For
more information
