Asrai (band)

Asrai is a band from Schiedam, Netherlands. Their music is mostly on the border between gothic and metal genres.[1]

This article is about the band. For the fairy, see Asrai. For the Warhammer Fantasy race, see Wood Elves (Warhammer).

Asrai
OriginNetherlands
GenresGothic metal
Gothic rock
Years active1988 - present
LabelsSeason Of Mist
Websitehttp://www.asrai.net/
MembersMargriet Mol
Jett Dadswell
Manon van der Hidde
Karin Mol
Rik Janssen

History

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. In the meantime, contracted by Transmission Records, Asrai recorded their second CD Touch in the Dark. Roman Schoensee produced this CD while Sascha Paeth mixed it. The CD was recorded in both Holland (Excess Studio) and Germany (Beautiful Lake Studio).

On 26 May 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 6 May. The video-clip for their single was made by the duo Marcel de Jong and Jelle Swetter. Their second single from the album Touch in the Dark ("In front of me") was released on 23 September. Again the videoclip was made by Marcel de Jong and Jelle Swetter, in addition to 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 12 November 2007 (20 November in the U.S.), and the first single, "Sour Ground", was released on 5 November.

Band members
  • Margriet Mol - vocals
  • Manon van der Hidde - synth
  • Jacqui Taylor - guitar
  • Karin Mol - drums

Discography

Tapes
  • 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
  • Asrai

Studio albums
  • 1997: As Voices Speak
  • 2004: Touch in the Dark
  • 2007: Pearls in Dirt
  • 2017: Hourglass

EP's
  • 2013: Between Dreams and Destiny

Singles & videoclips
  • Pale Light
  • In Front of Me
  • Sour Ground

Collaborations
  • Amanda Somerville - lyrical editor on Touch in the Dark (2004) and Pearls in Dirt (2007)

References
  1. Asrai biography and credits allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2009-11-26.
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