Interviews: Âscent

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal band Âscent from Spain. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

The idea for our band name came about in a rather spontaneous yet meaningful way. Initially, we brainstormed various names that reflected our musical style and the message we wanted to convey. However, none of them felt quite right. One evening, during a casual jam session, one of our band members blurted out a phrase that resonated with all of us. It wasn't planned, but it captured the essence of our identity perfectly. We knew instantly that it was the name we had been searching for. In a way, it was a mix of planning and a serendipitous moment of inspiration that came to Álvaro, our former guitarist and founder of the band.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Our choice to play this genre stemmed from a deep passion and connection each of us felt towards its unique sound and energy. Growing up, we were all influenced by artists and bands that pioneered and excelled in this style of music. It’s a genre that allows us to express ourselves creatively and emotionally, and it resonates with the experiences and stories we want to share with our audience. Additionally, we believe this genre has a timeless quality and a broad appeal that transcends generations. Playing this music brings us immense joy and fulfillment, and we love the way it brings people together.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes, some of us knew each other from our youth. Carlos (the bassist) was in a band where he played with my brother -answered Koque, the singer- and soon we were able to play together. At that time, I wasn't a singer but a drummer, a role I left after the sessions for Âscent's first album. We also knew Antonio (our drummer) from our neighborhood and always admired his technique and professionalism, so having him join us was somewhat like a dream come true. He already had extensive professional experience with one of the early bands in Spanish metal, Easy Rider. We knew Jesús because he played in our friend's band Troubled Mind. When Álvaro decided to leave the group, we called him.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Carlos loves The Beatles and Genesis (early period), Jesús likes Iron Maiden and Jethro Tull, Koque enjoys Queen and Marilyn Manson, and Antonio is a fan of Tool and Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We could say that there isn't a clear 'who' or 'what' for the composition of most of our songs beyond creativity itself, the pursuit of new sounds, and always striving to push the boundaries in each piece we credit as a song. This doesn't preclude the occasional song from having an explicitly defined theme, such as the death of a family member (which is the central theme of our upcoming release Gamma), analysis of the contemporary world, and so on

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last concert was at what is probably the best venue in Madrid right now. Its name is Revi Live. It was a concert with two friend bands - Noah Histeria and the aforementioned Troubled Mind - and we had a great time, as it allowed us to perform live for the first time most of the songs from our upcoming release, GAMMA.

7. Where would you like to act?

Our dream is the same as any other band's, which is to climb the necessary steps to reach as many people as possible. We would love to perform not only in Spain but also across the rest of Europe, and even reach markets like America or Japan. As a first step, it would be interesting to access the festival circuit, and possibly even become an opening act for a renowned band in our genre.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

A band we deeply admire currently is Haken. We saw them last time they visited Spain and they were really great. That performance also made us realize that they could be a band we'd like to collaborate with, even if it's just to bring them bottles of water because they are clearly on another level (laughs). Karnivool is another band with whom collaborating would be a dream. On another note, however, we are open to collaborating with any other band or artist, as it is highly enriching.

9. Whom not?

As we just mentioned, we would like to collaborate with other artists and we don't have anyone on our list of rejects.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Not to date. Stage fright can be worked on in various ways, but the straightforward answer would be not to fear making mistakes on stage or feeling embarrassed. Being confident that your band will give their best is a first guarantee. What's really important is to stay focused and go with the intention of having fun. Obviously, building confidence also requires dedicating many hours to rehearsal and performing on stage. 11. What bands have inspired you the most? Inspirational sources include The Beatles, Queen, Nine Inch Nails, Genesis, Haken, Dream Theater, Snarky Puppy, Pat Metheny, etc., even though we don't necessarily resemble them in our composition or the way we present our music. Nevertheless, certain details inevitably manifest themselves.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

I remember cutting my hair live on stage as part of a bet (says Koque), and people going crazy asking for locks of it. The downside is that nowadays, almost all of us are bald (laughs).

13. What do you think of your fans?

Our fans mean everything to us. They are the reason we continue to create music and perform. Their support, enthusiasm, and dedication inspire us every day. We are incredibly grateful for their love and passion for our music, and we strive to connect with them through our songs and performances. Each fan is a part of our extended musical family, and we cherish every interaction with them.

14. What do you think of our site?

Breathingthecore is a great site. The truth is that we find it a very interesting platform because of the diffusion and visibility it allows for bands, through band and album reviews, track-by-track critiques, and the ability to discover bands by country, etc.

15. Something to add?

We are very grateful to have been able to do this interview and we eagerly look forward to the review of our upcoming release GAMMA on your platform. It will be a privilege and an honor for us to enjoy it. See you soon! ÂSCENT.