Asrai (band)

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Origin	Netherlands
Genre(s)	Gothic Metal
Years active	1988-present
Label(s)	Season Of Mist
Members
Margriet Mol - Vocals Martin Kooy - Bass Manon van der Hidde - Synth - Violin Karin Mol - Drums Rik Janssen - Guitar

This article is about the band. For the fairy, see Asrai. For the Warhammer Fantasy race, see Wood Elves (Warhammer)

Asrai is a band from Schiedam, Netherlands. Their music is mostly on the border between gothic and metal genres.

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. The band stood tall through this difficult period. Their perseverance was rooted in a sincere love for music.

In the meantime, contracted by Transmission Records, Asrai recorded their second CD "Touch in the Dark". Roman Schoensee produced this CD while Sascha Paeth, the best guy for mixing Metal and Rock, made the finishing touch. The CD was recorded in both Holland (Excess Studio) and Germany (Beautiful Lake Studio).

May 26 the 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 6 the. The video-clip made for their single "Pale Light" was made by the versatile and talented duo Marcel de Jong and Jelle Swetter.

Their second single "In front of me"from the album "Touch in the Dark" was released September 23 the. And again the videoclip was made by Marcel de Jong and Jelle Swetter and Maud Mulder.

December 2006 Season of Mist is proud to announce the fresh signing of Dutch Gothic Rock act ASRAI. Their third full-length album is scheduled for late spring 2007 and will be followed by a European tour.

ASRAI comment "After a 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" has a release date set for the 12th of November 2007 (November 20th in the U.S.), and the first single, "Sour Ground", was released on November 5th.