- Asrai (band)
Infobox musical artist
Name = Asrai
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Origin =Netherlands
Genre =Gothic metal Gothic rock
Years_active =1988 -present
Label =Season Of Mist
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Current_members = Margriet Mol - Vocals
Martin Kooy - Bass
Manon van der Hidde - Synth - Violin
Karin Mol - Drums
Rik Janssen - Guitar
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Notable_instruments =Asrai is a band from
Schiedam ,Netherlands . Their music is mostly on the border between gothic and metal genres.History
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).
On May 26th 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 6th. The video-clip for their single was made by the versatile and talented duo Marcel de Jong and Jelle Swetter.
Their second single from the album "Touch in the Dark" ("In front of me") was released September 23rd. Again the videoclip was made by Marcel de Jong and Jelle Swetter, and Maud Mulder.
In December 2006, metal and rock label Season of Mist proudly announced the fresh signing of Asrai. Their third full-length album was scheduled for late spring 2007, with plans for a European tour to follow. Asrai commented: "After "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" was released on the 12th of November 2007 (November 20th in the U.S.), and the first single, "Sour Ground", was released on November 5th.
Discography
Studio Albums
* 1997: "As Voices Speak"
* 2004: "Touch in the Dark"
* 2007: "Pearls in Dirt"Collaborations
Asrai have been involved in the following artists:
*Amanda Somerville - Worked as lyrical editor on Touch in the Dark (2004):External links
* [http://www.asrai.net/ Official Site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/asraifans MySpace page]
* [http://asraifans.myfastforum.org Asrai dedicated forum]
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