EMQ’s With Among These Ashes
EMQ’s With Among These Ashes
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Melodic Power/ Thrash Metal band, Among These Ashes. Huge thanks to their Guitarist, Rich Clark, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
My name is Rich Clark, and I am the lead/rhythm guitarist for Among These Ashes. We are a melodic power/thrash band from Detroit, MI. JP (also vocalist for Traveler) and I formed Among These Ashes during the peak of the COVID pandemic, and it has since expanded into a full live line-up. We released our debut album, Dominion Enthroned, in February 2022 and are actively recording for future release. The central focus of this band is to create highly-memorable songs that are heavy, aggressive, dynamic, and melodic.
How did you come up with your band name?
I have always been into apocalyptic themes, imagery, and landscapes especially when it is man-made. So, the name is inspired by those elements and was tweaked over a period of time until it was something I liked. We frequently get comments about how it is a hardcore name, but for me it is just a band name that I personally like, and I don’t spend time worrying about where or if we fit into the infinite categories of metal sub-genres.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are based out of Detroit, MI in the United States. Locally, we have a very strong scene, and I think it very special because the bands in the Detroit scene are very supportive of each other. The quality of the song writing and musicianship is as good as anywhere I believe. Highly recommend checking out Finality, Salvation’s End, Theandric, and Nethergate from the Detroit metal scene.
What is your latest release?
We are releasing an original single named The Enemy in I on April 21st this year. The song checks all of the boxes I mentioned above in terms of the sonic trademarks of Among These Ashes. Lyrically, the tune is about self-destruction. It’s just a heavy, aggressive song, and we can’t wait for people to hear it. We are huge fans of the bands that pioneered metal in the 80s, and the mighty Savatage is one of our favorites. So, we recorded a cover of Savatage’s classic track, Sirens. That track is being packaged as a B-side to The Enemy in I.
Who have been your greatest influences?
As big as they are, Metallica is my greatest influence and more specifically James Hetfield who I tend to think of as a deity. I have always steered myself towards bands that I feel have superior song writing, so my other huge influences are WASP, Rainbow, Fear Factory, Iced Earth, Symphony X, King Diamond, Iron Maiden, and Death to name a few. I also love outlaw country and southern rock as well as folk and acoustic music. I have a very eclectic taste in music, and I pull from that when writing songs. For me, sense for melody and memorable passages often times is inspired from genres other than metal.
What first got you into music?
My uncle played the black album by Metallica for me when I was eight, and music was always very important in our household when I was growing up. I got really into the more obscure (at the time) bands in about 2001 when a friend showed me Iced Earth, Kamelot, Savatage, and Grave Digger. The impetus for me getting serious about guitar was hearing Zakk Wylde on Ozzy’s Live and Loud CD. I would have been about 16 years old. I was always very interested in writing my own songs instead of playing others’ songs, and the same is true today.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Lately, I really admire Mark Tremonti as a musician and songwriter, so I would pick him.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I am sure this is almost a standard answer for everyone, but Wacken!!!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Unfortunately, I haven’t received gifts from fans. Maybe one day though.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Any contribution or acknowledgement that you enjoy our music is the most amazing, humbling compliment I can personally receive. I struggle to put into words the gratitude that I feel for anyone who has listened to and appreciated our music. Simply put, thank you.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Absolutely Ronnie James Dio.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Creating is my favorite part about being a musician both from the song writing as well as the production aspect. I don’t think there is anything I hate about being a musician. However, something I dislike about being in a band is that the Internet has created a platform for expression (this is not wholly a bad thing), and with that comes waves of negativity, and I don’t like seeing other artists as well as ourselves receiving negative commentary from strangers online. I definitely think no comment at all is a great alternative to a negative comment.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I would make it easier to gain exposure resulting in increased listenership. I say this not because it corresponds to greater revenue, but because it means that more people are hearing our music, which is what is most important to me.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Metallica: “…And Justice For All”
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs, or Downloads?
I don’t (personally) think there is a best as long as the music is being listened to. That said, I have been heavily into vinyl as of late.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Our first show was definitely our best in July of 2022.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I would still be doing my same day job, but I would probably just be more into my other super expensive hobby, which is hunting.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
My wife, my son, my dad, and my two dogs haha (even though dogs are not people).
What’s next for the band?
We have two live shows in May, so we are preparing for those. We’re also hard at work on our next studio album, which I want out in spring of 2024.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Bandcamp: https://amongtheseashes.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmongTheseAshesmetal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amongtheseashes_official/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq3Tl1yuyACt_nSDRxb-hOg
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
A. I am not going to cheat by looking it up, so going with Bap. Let me know the correct answer!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you to Ever Metal for this great opportunity. This was a lot of fun, and I sincerely appreciate what you are doing with your platform and your willingness to support us.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
