Ash Code

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ash Code
Ash Code at Nocturnal Culture Night 2017
Ash Code at Nocturnal Culture Night 2017
Background information
OriginNaples, Italy
GenresDark Wave, Synthpop, New wave, Post-Punk
Years active2014 (2014)–present
Labels,
Metropolis Records,
,
Websiteashcode.eu
MembersAlessandro Belluccio
Claudia Nottebella
Adriano Belluccio

Ash Code is an Italian Dark Wave band formed in 2014 in Napoli by the singer Alessandro Belluccio, the keyboardist Claudia Nottebella and the bass player Adriano Belluccio.[1] Ash Code music covers a wide range of genres including Dark Wave, Post-punk, Synthpop and EBM.[2]

History[]

Claudia at NCN 2015

Early days[]

In January 2014, "Dry your Eyes" and "Unnecessary Songs" were released online. Since the very beginning, they acquired attention from DJs and media from the Dark Wave scene thanks to their fresh sound that was still faithfully anchored in the 80's. In a matter of weeks, they signed with the Greek label Gehemnis Records for releasing a 7" single (300 numbered copies in June 2014)[3] and an extended mix of "Dry Your Eyes" was included in the third volume of "Pagan Love Songs" compilation (compiled by Ralf Thyssen and Thomas Thyssen) alongside other important bands like She Past Away, Linea Aspera, The Chameleons, Psyche, Ulterior, Miserylab. [4][5]

A second digital single for the song "Empty Room" was released in June 2014 including the cover of "I can't escape myself" from The Sound as b-side.

'Oblivion' LP (2014)[]

On October 15, 2014, Ash Code released their first full-length album, ‘Oblivion’ on CD under the label. The concept of oblivion described by the band is interpreted possibility in accordance with Nietzschean philosophy, where forgetfulness was described as an active force to forget what one suffers and afflicts us without getting caught in a spiral of negative feelings and depression. It is one way to react positively to life, to avoid further pain and suffering. The work reached 2nd in the "Soundcheck" chart of Sonic Seducer [6] and it was described as feverish and restless debut, capable of translating the Icy Expressionist theme pairing with the abrasive sweep of the neo industrial;[7] essentially 10 tracks between Dark Wave and black electro pop,[8] succeeding at capturing the early days yet blending them into present time by means of modern Synthpop,[9] catchy and tormented hints[10] delivering one of the best Dark Wave albums of 2014.[11]

A second press of the CD was released in May 2015 with inverted colours for the cover, as well as a vinyl version under the label .

Alessandro at NCN 2015

'Posthuman' LP (2016)[]

On 27 February 2016 their second LP "Posthuman" was released under the label. According to the band, we live in a posthuman era. It is an era of technology, of multiculturalism, of the transformation of every aspect of the world around us. In this radical change, the individual must relocate ethically, socially and politically while men must reformulate their values, with the understanding that they do not own the world but rather share it with other natural beings. The album reached the 2nd position in the "Soundcheck" chart of Sonic Seducer again [12] and was described as a hectic work of obsessive rhythm and markedly post-punk.

The sepulchral vocals and dark catchiness of the supporting melodies, being constantly on the edge of a glacial minimalism made the album pretty much reverberating electrogoth similar to other seminal bands such as Clan Of Xymox, Depeche Mode, The Sisters Of Mercy.[13] The band used minimal wave structures ultimately intended for the dance floor[14] and adhered to the dandy apocalyptic manifesto claiming Gary Numan, Soft Cell and Neon as inspirational fathers.[15] Posthuman is also depicted as an album where the trio searches for new paths,[16] personalizing the sound with 'noisy analog DIY synthesisers[17] and instruments such as Mellotron and Theremin,[18] being overall a more mature work and even more accessible than "Oblivion" .[19]

On April 2016 a vinyl version with inverted colours for the cover was released under the label .

During the last months of 2016 they start to remix songs from their favourite bands like Moby, , She Past Away and Massive Ego.

'Perspektive' LP (2018)[]

On May 18, 2018 the band released the third album "Perspektive” on / . The LP reached the first position in the “Soundcheck” chart of Sonic Seducer and was selected as "Album of the month" too.[20]

During September 2018 the band announces to have signed with Metropolis Records[21] and every record is reprinted on Cd and vinyl in exclusive editions for the North and South America during the autumn of 2018.

Corona Virus days + 'Fear' EP (2020/2021)[]

On 14 February 2020, a remix of 'She' from Clan Of Xymox was released. The arrival of the Coronavirus destroyed all the band's plans, a LATAM tour in July 2020 was cancelled and a USA tour scheduled for September 2020 too, but the band did not lose heart and was among the first ones to experiment a live streaming from home in March, raising funds for a local hospital. [22][23]

Thanks to the success of the initiative, the band has been at the forefront working for the organization of the Festivals, a series of charity online festivals made with contributions from the best bands of the darkwave/goth scene. [24][25]

On 19 March 2021 'Fear' EP was released, the work includes three brand new songs and remixes by Clan Of Xymox, Molchat Doma and . The EP was presented during a live in streaming performance featuring Mike Dudley( ), Eric 13( Combichrist ) and Jon Siren( Iamx, Front Line Assembly, Psyclon Nine, Dismantled )

Live performances[]

Adriano at NCN 2017

The band toured Europe, USA, Latin America[26] and Russia sharing the stage with important bands of the scene such as Gang of Four, Clan of Xymox, She Past Away, Cold Cave, The Soft Moon, Boy Harsher, Drab Majesty, Lebanon Hanover, , Front Line Assembly, , Covenant, , Agent Side Grinder, , Trisomie 21, The Frozen Autumn, Skeletal Family, Pink Turns Blue, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, New Model Army, Kirlian Camera, The Invincible Spirit, Sixth June, , , Wingtips and Vólkova.

They have also performed at darkwave/goth festivals such as Wave-Gotik-Treffen (2015 and 2018),[27] Amphi Festival (2019), Entremuralhas,[28] Castle Party, Nocturnal Culture Night (2015 and 2017),[29] W-Festival, Dark Storm Festival, Prague Gothic Treffen XIII, E-Only (2020) and A Murder of Crows Festival (2019)[30]

Name, sound and influences[]

The two words of the band’s moniker have the initials A and C corresponding to those of the band members. They chose "Ash" in homage to the active volcano near their city Napoli, Vesuvius, and "Code" to evoke something indefinite yet existentialist.[31] Their music is deeply influenced by early 80’s tunes from bands like Depeche Mode and The Sisters of Mercy, a sound devoted to the drum machine, powerful synthesisers [32] and benefitting from the versatility of a Fender VI bass,[33] a formula previously used by New Order[34] and The Cure.

Band members[]

Current members

Discography[]

LP[]

EP[]

  • Fear (2021)

Singles 7"[]

  • Dry Your Eyes (2014) Gehemnis Records
  • Icy Cold (2017) Synth Religion

Live[]

  • Live Dark Entries (2016)
  • Live in Freiburg (with Hapax & Geometric Vision)(2017)
  • Part Time Punks Session(Live in Los Angeles)(2020)

Remixes made by Ash Code[]

Remixes of Ash Code's songs[]

  • Oblivion - Remix (2014)
  • Dry your eyes - Ken Utterson Remix (2014)
  • Unnecessary Songs - Tr80R remix (2014)
  • Nite Rite - Delphine Coma Remix (2016)
  • Tide - Remix (2016)
  • Posthuman - Electrogenic Remix 82016)
  • Alone In Your Dance - Emerson Dracon Remix (2016)
  • Disease - Remix (2018)
  • Perspektive - Remix (2018)
  • If You Were Here - She Pleasures Herself Remix (2018)
  • Glow - Agent Side Grinder Remix (2018)
  • Perspektive - The Ne-21 Remix (2018)
  • Icy Cold - Selfishadows Remix (2018)
  • Fear - Clan Of Xymox Remix (2021)
  • Fear - Molchat Doma Remix (2021)
  • Fear - Remix (2021)

Videography[]

References[]

  1. ^ Gianni Valentino, La Repubblica(IT) 20/05/16 p. XXI.
  2. ^ https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/festivals/8509960/convergence-festival-goth-america
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 November 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ "Compilation of the Month - Pagan Love Songs Antitainment Vol. III". Post-punk.com. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  6. ^ Sonic Seducer Magazine(DE) - Dez 2014/Jan 2015 - p. 74. nd 78
  7. ^ "Rumore" Magazine(IT) - December 2014 p. 70
  8. ^ Giorgio Brivio, "Ascension Magazine"(IT) - number 38 p.35
  9. ^ "Ash Code - Oblivion :: Le recensioni di OndaRock". Ondarock.it. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  10. ^ "This is Gothic Rock: Ash Code – Oblivion (2014)". Thisisgothicrock.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  11. ^ "ASH CODE , Oblivion , Music, CD review". Peek-a-boo-magazine.be. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  12. ^ Sonic Seducer Magazine(DE) - April 2016 p. 74, 79.
  13. ^ "Ash Code - Posthuman". Rockit.it. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  14. ^ Emanuele Salvini, "Rockerilla" Magazine(IT) number 427 p. 74.
  15. ^ Stefano Morelli, "Rumore" Magazine(IT) number 290 p. 66.
  16. ^ "ASH CODE , Posthuman , Music, CD review". Peek-a-boo-magazine.be. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  17. ^ Ash Code (2 February 2016). "Ash Code - Making of "Posthuman" LP". Youtube.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ "La darkwave degli Ash Code torna a Napoli: al Cellar Theory si presenta 'Posthuman'". Napoli.fanpage.it. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  19. ^ Alex Daniele, "Ascension Magazine"(IT) number 42 p.71.
  20. ^ Sonic Seducer Magazine(DE) - May 2018
  21. ^ https://www.metropolis-records.com/artist/ash-code
  22. ^ https://www.ilmattino.it/societa/persone/ash_code_concerti_live_per_il_cotugno-5167841.html by Melina Chiapparino
  23. ^ https://www.rockit.it/articolo/nessuna-citta-ha-suonato-come-napoli-durante-questa-quarantena by Sergio Sciambra
  24. ^ http://filtermexico.com/2020/06/08/gothicat-festival-revive-las-6-horas-de-post-punk-en-linea/
  25. ^ http://alternation.eu/a-sign-of-our-time-gothicat-festival1-live-stream,id,1547,artykuly.html
  26. ^ Book "Il Rock è morto?" by Luca Paisiello
  27. ^ "~ Official Website Wave-Gotik-Treffen Leipzig". Wave-gotik-treffen.de. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  28. ^ "ENTREMURALHAS 2015". Fadeinaacultural.com. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  29. ^ "Historie - Nocturnal Culture Night". Nocturnal-culture-night.de. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  30. ^ "A Murder of Crows Festival 2019". Archived from the original on 7 September 2019.
  31. ^ "ASH CODE - interview by Peek-A-Boo magazine". Peek-a-boo-magazine.be. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  32. ^ "Ash Code - Oblivion". Rockit.it. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  33. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. ^ Ox-Fanzine. "Reviews : ASH CODE / Oblivion :: ox-fanzine.de". Ox-fanzine.de. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  35. ^ "Video Premiere - Ash Code – Oblivion". Youtube.com. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  36. ^ "Ash Code - Nite Rite Video Premiere". Youtube.com. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  37. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 May 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  38. ^ http://www.post-punk.com/ash-code-perspektive-die-selektion-luca-gillian/
  39. ^ http://www.post-punk.com/italian-dark-wave-trio-ash-code-premiere-black-gloves/
  40. ^ https://www.post-punk.com/curiosity-is-a-disease-in-ash-codes-latest-dystopian-video-from-perspektive-plus-us-tour-dates/
  41. ^ https://www.post-punk.com/darkwave-heroes-ash-code-wander-the-vanished-nyc-in-their-spellbinding-video-for-1981/
  42. ^ https://post-punk.com/darkwave-trio-ash-code-debut-video-for-fear-from-ep-with-remixes-by-clan-of-xymox-molchat-doma/
  43. ^ https://cvltnation.com/watch-the-melancholy-dark-pop-art-of-ash-code-fear/

External links[]
Retrieved from ""