Interviews: Ashes Reign

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Melodic Metal band Ashes Reign from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. For readers discovering Ashes Reign for the first time, how would you describe the band’s sound and identity?

People have called us progressive metalcore, and we find that to be a pretty good descriptor. We are a modern metal band that bridges the gap between traditional legacy bands and what is happening today. We don't do that intentionally - it's just what comes out of us when we write, and we just let it flow.

2. What inspired the creation of the single “Awakening”, and what does this song represent for the band?

"Awakening" is mostly about our collective technological addictions. So many of us, myself included, spend so much time consuming rather than creating. We spend time scrolling rather than engaging with people face-to-face. I noticed this about myself and decided to put in a lot of work to address it and not let the distractions steal my productivity or ruin my relationships. While doing so, I noticed that so many others are struggling with the same thing, and I don't believe it is a coincidence that so many of us are stuck on this road. I have found great joy in rejoining the real world as of late and spending uninterrupted time with those around me.

3. The title track shares its name with your upcoming debut album. Why was “Awakening” the right song to introduce this new chapter?

In so many ways, we just feel like this moment is the awakening of the band, and this is also our debut album. We have had our ups and downs, and through it all, we just kept things positive and kept learning. In the last few years, we have reached so many of our goals, and now we are securing opportunities that we never dreamed of.

4. You describe this era as an “awakening” for the band. What does that word mean to Ashes Reign personally and creatively?

Taking all of the things we have learned over the many years, all of the disruptions and successes, and putting every bit of it to use as a solid act. Let's be honest - there has been a lot of time in between releases for us, and there have been lineup changes along the way. It took all of that happening to get us to where we are today, and where we are is pretty amazing.

5. How did the songwriting process for the upcoming album Awakening come together?

Ryan Neurauter (bassist) and I did all of the writing on this album. Initially, I (Vinny) come up with rough demos/ideas, and then Ryan comes in and works on the arrangement and massages the stuff into the best version it can be. From there, I tend to write lyrics and vocal melodies before we have everyone finalize things. Guitar solos always come last, and they always take me the longest to nail, as I refuse to track a solo unless it can be done in one take.

6. Your music combines soaring melodies, crushing riffs, and modern metal intensity. How do you approach balancing melody and heaviness?

I wish I had a secret to share here, but honestly, we just sort of write without any real constraints. I think what you get with us is just an honest meshing of all of our influences. We are super lucky to have really talented musicians in this band, and if anything, there are times where we maybe pull each other back a bit to make sure we are serving the songs rather than ourselves. If Ryan would let me I would definitely have quite a few longer songs with a lot more guitar solo sections in there... but maybe he didn't stop me completely after all ;)

7. Can you tell us about the creative vision behind the artwork by Kiren Bagchee and how it connects to the song?

The cables running into the skull - I think about that as a kind of sedation. The way we let ourselves get tethered to things that numb us without ever quite noticing it happening. Just a slow surrender we all participate in. But then there's the eye. Uncovered, alone, still open in the middle of all that wiring. That's the part that matters most to me. It's the moment you stop pretending you don't see what's happening. Waking up isn't loud. It's quiet. It's personal, and it usually starts with just one eye open while everything else is still tangled in the noise. 

8. What was the experience like working with Chris Dawson on the mix and Mike Kalajian on mastering?

Chris is great and very collaborative, even when in the final mixing stages. He, along with his team have worked on all the songs on this album, and the proof is in the final product. We have been very happy with the entire process with him. Mike Kalajian is equally pleasant to work with, but we haven't spent as much one-on-one time with him. His master's slam, though, so we are very happy with him. Also, gotta say we really love what he does with his company Rogue Planet Mastering. 100% solar powered, and every project plants a tree.

9. How does Awakening represent the growth of Ashes Reign since the band’s formation?

This album started recording in 2023 and went through various hurdles up until now, including lineup changes, which have seen William Burton (our drummer at the time) move on to the incredible progressive rock outfit Shumaun. William's contributions stand out on this album, but his departure left us in a state where we were rebuilding the band after drum tracking had completed. Due to this, our newest members, who have become staples of the live band, John Soden (drums) and Fernando Landaverde (guitar), are not represented on this offering. "Awakening" is also the very first song that we have recorded in Drop A#, which has moved us into more of a modern territory. That will be something we are exploring more as we go into recording the next album.

10. Were there any songs on the upcoming album that were especially meaningful or challenging to create?

For me specifically, there is a song titled "Start of the End" that I am really looking forward to having released. It shows a completely different side of the band, much more akin to "Stand Together" off of our EP. Very meaningful for me and very much looking forward to sharing that.

11. What influences have shaped the band’s sound and songwriting style?

We are just fans of music and metal in general. There are so many bands we love, but I know my love for Progressive Metal comes through a bit in the material. Bands such as Dream Theater, Rush, Toto, etc. are huge for me, but at the same time, we smash those things together with inspirations such as Megadeth, Killswitch, and Maiden. Ryan is a huge Mudvayne and Sevendust fan as well.

12. How would you describe the Virginia metal scene, and how has it influenced Ashes Reign?

The Virginia metal scene is full of incredible musicians and bands. Truthfully, though, it has been difficult to find our footing in VA. Our members are spread out across the country (VA, NJ, MN), so we tend to only get together for touring, which has brought us into lots of markets outside of VA. We are fond of our fans in TN, FL, and PA, and find that it is where we have the strongest draw so far. That being said, we have found a really solid fanbase in Farmville, VA, where we have been performing at North Street Press Club routinely. Great venue with a great metal-loving community out there!

13. You have several major live performances coming up. What can fans expect from the Ashes Reign live experience?

Lately, we are shifting into more festival appearances, and that is something we are really looking forward to. The sets will be high energy with no fluff. Let's go!! 

14. How does playing festivals and sharing stages with bands like Skinlab, Narcotic Wasteland, Merauder, and Bayway motivate the band?

To be able to share stages with such legendary proven acts as this is really a bit stressful, but it is pushing us to be a better band in every way. Right now, we have the incredible opportunity to perform in front of the fans that all of these other bands have spent their careers gathering. We don't take this lightly, and we aim to not let anyone, the other bands or the fans, down.

15. What are your goals for the release of Awakening, and what do you hope listeners take away from the album?

We hope people can hear the work and passion we put into each and every song. No one out there owes us their time, but we hope that we are earning it as we continue to push forward.

16. What’s next for Ashes Reign after the album release? More touring, new music, or something else?

Definitely going to be supporting this release with live appearances, and we are already demoing new material. We have a fire under us to record a follow-up and introduce everyone to John and Fernando fully on the next album. These guys have been working so hard since joining the band, and we all want to have them represented in the upcoming recordings.

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers of Breathing The Core Zine?

We appreciate each and every one of you! We can't do this without publications such as yours and the fans! Thanks for having us!

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