Ashen Mortality
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2008-05-13T18:55:42Z
Kbdankbot
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Robot - move category per [[WP:CFD|CFD]] [[Wikipedia:Categories for discussion/Log/2008 May 7|2008 May 7]]
{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Ashen Mortality
| Img = Brixband.jpg
| Img_capt = Tim Cooper, Ian Arkley, Melanie Bolton, and Ben Jones.
| Img_size =
| Landscape = Yes
| Background = group_or_band
| Origin = [[uk|Britain]]
| Genre = [[Doom metal]]
| Years_active = [[1993 in music|1993]] - [[2005 in music|2005]]
| Label = Forsaken Records
| Associated_acts = [[My Silent Wake]], [[Seventh Angel]]
| URL =
| Current_members =
| Past_members = [[Ian Arkley]]<br />Melanie Bolton<br />Tim Cooper<br />Ben Jones
}}
'''Ashen Mortality''' was a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[doom metal]] band that was formed in early [[1993]] by [[Ian Arkley]] (ex-[[Seventh Angel]]) and Melanie Bolton. They and [[Paramaecium]] are the best known Christian Doom metal bands.<ref>{{cite web |author=Spencer, John |title=Ashen Mortality - Your Caress |publisher=Open Publishing |date=[[1999-08-14]] |work=The Phantom Tollbooth|url=http://www.tollbooth.org/review99/ashenm.html |accessdate=2007-09-08 }} </ref> They recorded two [[demo (music)|demo]]s, and two [[album]]s, as well as played many [[Gig (musical performance)|gig]]s in [[England]], the [[Netherlands]], and [[Germany]]. Featuring clean and growled male vocals, and female vocals, their music was heavy, slow to mid-paced, and influenced by [[medieval music]], doom, death and [[Gothic rock|goth]]. The band split in [[2005]], when [[Ian Arkley|Arkley]] went on to form [[My Silent Wake]].
==Biography==
The first demo tape, Ashen Mortality, was recorded at The Wall, [[Birmingham]], England from [[October 9|9]] - [[October 11]], and engineered by Andy Wickett. The band's first gig was with Rez, during November 1993 in [[Salford]], England. During [[1994]], Ashen Mortality played many gigs around the United Kingdom, including a show at [[Brixton Academy]], [[London]] on [[May 14]].
The second demo was recorded between [[July 16|16]] - [[July 18]] at Attic Studios, shortly after which, Jones left the band. On [[August 24]], Ashen Mortality played at the [[Greenbelt festival]] with stand-in drummer, Neal Harris. Harris also played with the band during the tour of Holland and Germany from [[September 2|2]] - [[September 29]].
Three tracks from the second demo, "Separation", "Sleepless Remorse" and "Imprisoned" were remixed, and four new songs recorded in [[1995]] to form "Sleepless Remorse", the band's first album. Harris played drums on the new tracks, although Jones can be heard on the remixed demo songs. The album was recorded at Attic Studios (now closed), and was produced for a mere £400.
"Sleepless Remorse" was released in [[1996]] on Forsaken Records, set up by Bolton. Neil Shilvock joined the band on drums. Ashen Mortality played many gigs around England during the year, playing with bands, including: [[At the Gates]], [[Serenade]], [[Acrimony]], and [[Hecate Enthroned]].
After a mini-tour to support the release of "Sleepless Remorse" in [[1997]], Shilvock left the band, and George Aytoun stepped in to help out. Ashen Mortality played at the Greenbelt festival over the August bank holiday weekend.
Aytoun officially joined the band in [[1998]], and recorded "Your Caress". The album was recorded in two days, and mixed in one by Dan Sprigg at Dep International. The band used the same engineer and studio as "Cradle of Filth".
The band started to play local gigs again in [[1999]], and the official website was constructed by Aytoun, and launched over the summer. Ashen Mortality played the Greenbelt festival at the beginning of August. The band obtained worldwide distribution for "Your Caress" through Plastic Head.
With the exception of a few local gigs, there was little band activity in [[2000]]. Plans to record a third album faded away.
After several years of inactivity, the band emerged in [[2004]]. Having recruited a new drummer, they begun rehearsing again, and played live gigs. Due to illness, Cooper was unavailable for the band's final appearances in [[Norway]], and the [[United Kingdom]]. The last performances featured Andi Lee on bass, and drummer Jasen Whyte.
A double [[CD]] reissue of the two albums, remastered with extra tracks, was released in [[2005]]. The band finally split, with the original band members going their separate ways. Ian subsequently formed "My Silent Wake" with ex-Ashen Mortality musicians Andi Lee and Jason Whyte, Century Sleeper with James Allin of Visionaire, and played in "The Other Window" with Alan Southorn.
In August 2006, Tim Cooper died of [[Leukemia]].
== Members ==
* [[Ian Arkley]] ([[Guitarist|guitar]] & [[Singer|vocals]])
* Melanie Bolton (vocals & [[Keyboard instrument|keyboard]])
* Tim Cooper ([[Bassist|bass]])
* Ben Jones ([[Drummer|drums]])
==References==
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
* {{cite journal |last=Van Pelt |first=Doug |year=[[1999]] |month=March/April |title=Indie Album Reviews: ASHEN MORTALITY |journal=[[HM Magazine]] |id={{ISSN|1066-6923}} |issue=76 |pages= |accessdate=2007-04-24 |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20010714054509/www.hmmagazine.com/issue76/76Albums.htm}}
==External links==
* [http://www.blackplanet0.freeserve.co.uk/amhistory.htm Ashen Mortality History]
[[Category:1990s music groups]]
[[Category:2000s music groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1993]]
[[Category:Music from Birmingham, England]]
[[Category:English rock music groups]]
[[Category:British heavy metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Doom metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Christian metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2005]]
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