Frost Like Ashes

Frost Like Ashes is a Christian black metal band that formed in Kansas City, Missouri in 2001. The band has released two EP's (Born to Pieces and Pure as the Blood Covered Snow) and a full-length CD titled Tophet, and their songs have appeared on 2 compilations titled A Brutal Christmas and A Treasury of Sorrows. Previously signed to Psycho Acoustix Records and currently to Sullen Records, an imprint of Open Grave Records, their music combines elements of black metal, death metal and thrash metal with keyboards and virtuosic vocals notable for "switching between about 10 different extreme styles within a given song."^[1] Their lyrics have achieved attention for their harsh output, providing a Biblical point of view for the regular, cruel themes of black metal music. The band is also controversial for using the typical corpse paint style often associated with the black metal visuals.^[1][2]

Their live act incorporates a reversal of stereotypical black-metal images—for example, spitting in and tearing up a Satanic Bible and smashing a goat-skull adorned pentagram with a sword.

History

Two of the band members, vocalist Azahel and drummer Adonijah, were former members of a controversial death/thrash metal band called Possession that was active from 1992 to 1998. Frost Like Ashes was formed on the vision of guitarist, Sebat (ex-World Funeral, ex-Coven), who would recruit Azahel (vocals) and Syntyche (bass) in 2001 and begin what has become an underground juggernaut hybrid of black/death Metal. Adonijah (drums), completed the group and they released their first EP on SoTD Records in 2003. In January 2003, Qoheleth joined the band as their first full time dedicated keyboardist. Up to this point Adonijah would compose and record the keyboard parts. They were able to get on the bill for Freakshow 13 in Las Vegas, performing alongside such bands as Stavesacre and Mortal Treason. In 2004, The band parted ways with Syntyche and acquired the skills of new bassist, Ruach.

In 2005, after some delays, Frost Like Ashes' first full-length CD, Tophet, was finally released. The recording has received many positive reviews and has helped Frost Like Ashes gain more popularity and notoriety.

In the Spring and Summer of 2006, Frost Like Ashes performed in Omaha with Psyclon Nine and Epicurean, and in Minnesota with Crimson Thorn, Becoming the Archetype, and Crimson Moonlight.

On March 13, 2008, Blabbermouth.net reported that the band signed a record deal with Sullen records, an imprint of Open Grave Records, for the release of the band's new EP, titled Born to Pieces. The follow-up to the group's 2006 acclaimed album Tophet will be issued this May and will be available as a limited release, with only 250 units to be produced.^[3] Fire of the Polish black metal band Elgibbor played bass for Frost Like Ashes at their Cornerstone Festival concert on July 3, 2008 to mark his full time permanent membership in the band. The EP sold out shortly after its release, and a limited edition 7" vinyl was printed of Born to Pieces later.

Previously the band announced that they are currently working on an album entitled Gods of the Great Whore that will be a concept album based on a book the vocalist Azahel is writing. An update from the band's official website on January 2, 2009, stated that the band has put Gods... on hold until the book is written; however, they have written new material for another album to be released first, tentatively entitled Who Walks in the Darkness, and is to be based on a novel by R. A. Salvatore entitled Homeland. Tentative tracklisting was also published on their website. In 2010, the band announced via Facebook they were going on hiatus. They have said they will make new music, but they don't see it happening right now.

Current members

• Azahel – vocals (2001—Present)
• Sebat – Guitar (2001—Present)
• Fire – Bass (2008—Present)
• Adonijah – drums (2001—Present)
• Qoheleth – Keyboard (2004—Present)

Former members

• Syntyche – Bass (2001—2004)
• Ruach – Bass (2004—2008)

Discography

• A Brutal Christmas (SOTD Records) – 2002 (compilation)
• Pure As The Blood Covered Snow (SOTD Records) – 2003
• A Treasury of Sorrows (Lifeless Records) – 2004 (compilation)
• Tophet (Psycho Acoustix Records) – 2005
• Born to Pieces EP (Sullen Records) – 2008

Singles

• "Born to Pieces"

References

External links

• Official website
• HM Magazine Article
• Interview at Wisemenpromotions
• Interview at Rock-impressions
• Frost Like Ashes at Encyclopaedia Metallum
• Frost Like Ashes on Myspace