Dawn of Ashes

Dawn of Ashes
Dawn of Ashes 2013
Background information
Origin	Hollywood, California
Genres	Aggrotech/EBM (early) Shock Rock Metal
Years active	2000 - 2013
Labels	Metal Blade Records Metropolis Records Dark Kingdom Records (?)
Website	dawnofashesofficial.com
Members	Kristof Bathory Bahemoth Syrus

Dawn of Ashes was an American extreme metal/industrial^[1] band based out of Los Angeles, California founded in 2001. The bands current modus operandi is horror based lyrical and visual themes presented through industrial and melodic black metal structures. Dawn of Ashes has had an interesting evolution which strongly resembles that of contemporary Norwegian music act Mortiis, with three distinct phases of the band. Both acts have progressed from a strictly electronic to metal/electronic based musical form.

The name Dawn of Ashes is an allegorical metaphor meaning "beginning of the end".^[2]

History

Early years/dark electronic phase

Founded in 2001, Dawn of Ashes' initial concept was the production of horror based dark electronic music, sometimes known as Terror EBM, hellektro or aggrotech, characterised by heavily using samples from horror films. In the intervening five years before the release of the EP Sacred Fever, Dawn of Ashes would expand to include two new members: Joey-Tekk and Bathory's future right-hand man, Bahemoth^[3] after having several line-up changes that failed to work for Bathory's vision.

Sacred Fever, released in 2005 and packing an astonishing 14 tracks for an EP, delivered a sample filled terror EBM soundscape that thematically and lyrically would define Dawn of Ashes into the future.

The release of Sacred Fever saw DoA signed to German electronic label NoiTekk with US distribution via COP International and Russian distribution handled by Gravitator Records. Subsequent to their signing, DoA released the album In the Acts of Violence (2006) continuing the use of samples from horror films to match the dark and aggressive horror themed lyrics.

Early 2007 saw the departure of Joey-Tekk and the addition of female band member Rayne who had worked with Dawn of Ashes on parts of In The Acts of Violence.^[4] Work progressed on the follow up album and March 3, 2007 saw the first inklings of Dawn of Ashes future logo^[5] to go with the debut of the release The Crypt Injection.

The Crypt Injection was notable for its lack of samples but also was significant for being the first album to deliver a music video for the track "Torture Device", which showcased Kristof Bathory's artistic and horrifying vision. Bathory worked closely with Bahemoth on putting the clip together, and this would further define their relationship in years to come with future videos.

During these years Dawn of Ashes also created a number of remixes for several bands including Suicide Commando, Grendel, Regenerator, Neikka RPM, FGFC820, Helalyn Flowers, Retractor and many others.^[6]

Melodic black metal phase

In late 2008 Dawn of Ashes announced a new line-up and a new direction for the band's music - melodic black metal, via their MySpace page.^[7] Bathory had always been a fan of heavier styles of metal music and felt that the time was right to begin producing it under the DoA name. In order to facilitate the new direction of the band, DoA added new blood to its ranks including Abaddon Mauvais, Cyanide, and Orias.

Band members would end up being replaced (much like the early dark electronic years) in 2010, with Rahab and Volkar Kael joining the band for the recording of the release Genocide Chapters. Released on the label Metal Blade Records to strong reviews, Genocide Chapters was applauded for its fantastic production and by the appreciation for Bathory's ability to turn around from an aggrotech act to a melodic death metal band.

Unfortunately, there would be yet another line-up change with Rahab departing for Othuum sometime in 2010, who would tour with the band on the Darkness Reborn Tour alongside headliners Dimmu Borgir, Enslaved and Blood Red Throne. This tour would assist in growing the fan base of Dawn of Ashes, spreading Bathory's visions of horror and filth around the US.^[8]

Industrial/melodic black metal phase

Prior to their departure from Metal Blade Records, Dawn of Ashes released the EP Farewell to the Flesh, a compilation that saw a return of DoA's early electronic elements. Shortly following the release saw Othuum and Volkar Kael leave the band over creative differences. There was no rancour in the split, with Othuum and Volker confirming this.^[9] Bathory's response saw the confirmation of Rayne staying on as a band member whilst simultaneously announcing a return to sole proprietorship over Dawn of Ashes' future creative direction.^[10]

Dawn of Ashes also took the time to record another music video for the track "Fuck Like You’re in Hell" - again demonstrating Kristof Bathory's creative and horrifying vision and once more executed by Bahemoth.^[11]

With the addition of a new guitarist Syrus in 2012 and working with industrial music legend Chris Vrenna producing (who coincidentally also produced tracks for Mortiis), Dawn of Ashes recorded a substantial amount of material culminating in the 2013 release Anathema to critical review. Anathema features a "rebuild" of one of DoA's older dark electronic tracks "Torture Device, The Final Formula for Torment", and guest vocals from fellow electronic artists Nero Bellum (Psyclon Nine) and Gary Zon (Dismantled).

The release of the album saw the creation of a new music video (featuring Nero Bellum) for the track "Poisoning the Steps of Babel", again executed by Bahemoth^[12] and a tour "The Hellions of Hollywood", with Dawn of Ashes and Psyclon Nine co-headlining. Touring from late August to early October, including performing at the VampireFreaks event Triton Festival in NYC, the band has returned to LA to record new material.

2013 also saw the beginnings of references to the "Judas Breed", part of the title to the track "Insidious (of the Judas Breed)" from Anathema. This title has since gone on to become the name of the collective of Dawn of Ashes fans and is used by Kristof Bathory to address Dawn of Ashes fandom.

Bathory has expressed his satisfaction with Anathema's sound and has indicated that he would like to continue to reconcile his love for electronic and metal based music into future Dawn of Ashes material.

End of an Era/Retirement of Dawn of Ashes

On December 28th 2013 the band announced via their Facebook, that the "Enter the Vortex" Tour would be the bands final tour, and after the conclusion of the tour, the band would be no more.^[13]

On January 4th 2014, Kristof Bathory was interviewed by Radiobuzzd in an event where Kristof cited numerous reasons for the retirement of Dawn of Ashes including but not limited to:

• Potential legal complications around himself (the target of individual lawsuits) and the band's name;
• The band's history of genre switches have isolated and upset fans who were unable to accept the band's musical progression;^[14]

However Bathory has advised that moving into the future he will continue to produce music alongside Bahemoth and Syrus, although the specific details have yet to be reveiled.

Bathory has also advised that the planned album Enter the Vortex, that originally was to go alongside the tour deeming the same name, will also not be going ahead and into recording.

• Kristof Bathory - Vox/Keys/Programming (2001-2014)
• Bahemoth - Electronics/Keyboards (2004- 2014)
• Syrus - Guitars (2012-2014)

(Live members)

• Grey Soto - Bass Guitar
• Helvete - Drums

Past Live Members

• Sidney Pirata
• Jon Siren
• Krz Souls
• Rayne Xiaphiam
• Orias
• Othuum
• Volkar Kael
• Rahab
• Abaddon Mauvais
• Cyanide
• Joey-Tekk

Discography

• Dawn of Ashes (5 track EP)
• Sacred Fever (2005)
• In the Acts of Violence (2006)
• The Crypt Injection (2007)
• Genocide Chapters (2010)
• Farewell to the Flesh (2012)
• Hollywood Made in Gehenna (2012)
• Anathema (2013)

References

External links

• Official Band Website
• Official Facebook Page