Dawn of Ashes has been an established act that has been on various record labels through out the years. Since 2001, Dawn of Ashes started off as a Horror-Industrial act and as the years progressed so did the sound. DOA has always had a strong influence from Metal, Rock & other aggressive forms of music which made the band stand out. Now, the group has incorporated elements from Metal, Rock & Industrial with a new twist of evil. Welcome to this breathing vision of Hell.
1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.
K.DOA: Dawn of Ashes was created in 2001 by myself as a solo act that started off as a dark industrial act & progressed into an industrial metal act. I am the mastermind behind the group with supporting help from my live keyboardist, Bahemoth. I have gone through many changes throughout the years as far as line up goes, & now have a group of live members that are specifically for Dawn of Ashes performances. The name was first created to represent the end of all or "beginning of the end". Throughout the years, the name started to reflect other meanings that spawn from my inner darkness… It consists of my hatred, my sorrow, & the inner void that constantly creates an emptiness from any sort of purity / happiness.
2. Tell me about the band is it one band or two different bands because you have Dawn of Ashes and then you have a Live Members set-up so what's the ordeal?
K.DOA: As I stated in the previous question; I am the backbone behind DOA. I write all the music & have created the vision of the group. Everyone else is utilized as live members but are still a great deal of help in a certain respect. I have gone through a major amount of live members throughout the history of DOA. Now, I represent the group as a vision of myself, considering that I represent myself as a devil which is a metaphorical term for "the enemy" or "the beast with many faces". My interpretation of "Hell", is a place where I rule in my own mind & internal power / confidence. Dawn of Ashes is my Hell & my kingdom where I can have free will to have my own endless powers.
3. How did you guys come up with your band name?
K.DOA: The name represents "the beginning of the end".
4. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
K.DOA: I think Dawn of Ashes has developed its own sound & has tested the waters with various sounds & inspirations. Hypothetically DOA would be considered a mix between Industrial Metal & Shock Rock but I honestly don't care what people classify the music as long as they support it.
5. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
K.DOA: Depends; I discuss any topics from occult knowledge, demonology, mental disorders, personal conflicts, suicide, drug abuse, misanthropic hatred, apocalyptic visions, morbid addictions, Horror, & whatever else comes into my mind.
6. What message do you want to send out with your music?
K.DOA: The message delivered through my music is a dictation towards gathering a horde of people who have become disgusted with the human flesh, and to give them an icon to follow where they could feel accepted.
Hebrews 2:14 "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil."
Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."
7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
K.DOA: Seems quite repetitive to answer the same question but again, I create all the music is vision behind DOA.
8. What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?
K.DOA: Our first 2 albums came out in 2005 & 2007 under a German record label called Black Rain & a USA label called COP International. After that label we signed to Metal Blade records and released 2 more albums. 1 album on Deathwatch Asia and now our upcoming album "Anathema" that will be released April 9th 2013 on Metropolis Records. We have 3 music videos out & will be filming in April for our forth music video for a track called “Poisoning the steps of Babel”.
9. Tell me how did you get signed with Metropolis Records, are you happy with what they have to offer you guys as a band?
K.DOA: We were actually signed to Cleopatra Records until they had us perform at one of their showcases & were appalled by our live show. Then they decided that we were not a “fit” for their label. We then initially contacted Metropolis Records since Chris Vrenna whose project is on Metro and two of their artist who are featured on the album were already in discussion about our new album. Metropolis reviewed the material & thought it was a fit to release.
10. You have a new release coming out this spring called "Anathema" where does the title come from and is this a concept release?
K.DOA: I came up with the idea behind “Anathema” as the perfect ideology. A word that represents myself and the Dawn of Ashes fans. In earlier times, people that did not fall under the classification of “God’s” acceptations or rules were burned for being witches. I observed modern social conformation as a tool for me to degrade. I compare myself & my fans for being scorned at for the free will of being heathens or following the path of free will. Children of sin, “The Judas breed”. A kingdom of betrayers, who rebel against the human form with the spirit formed from hate.
11. "Poisoning the Steps of Babel" is requesting funds to help get it up and running what made you want to ask for help on this video and when can we expect it to be released and can you tell me about the concept you have in mind for it?
K.DOA: I feel that fans would have a sort of excitement for being involved in the process of this video and any sort of income we could get in this video will only make it better. Rewarding fans for showing us their support, only creates more of a meaning behind “Anathema”. We are building this kingdom with stones from each follower that supports Dawn of Ashes.
12. How K.DOA- does "Anathema" differ and compare to your previous material? Can you describe the overall sound of this new album for us?
K.DOA: Anathema, musically is a combination of our older Industrial sound with a mix of the new Shock Rock / Black Metal sound. I want to revolutionize, alternative music once again considering that the music industry is falling apart. I don’t think it’s quite necessary to put us under one specific genre. I create whatever I feel like creating which fans should respect from me. However, I think fans will truly see this album as the masterpiece of DOA.
13. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting for before the recording process began for this album?
K.DOA: My goal for this album was to create something that a vast variety of DOA fans could listen to as well as something that I personally enjoy. I also therapeutically bled all of my issues that I was going through for the past year and a half into certain songs on the album. So, it was a necessity for my mental conditions to release a few tracks that helped me cope with these issues. This was definitely the most angry & painful piece of work that I've created.
14. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used in the recording process before?
K.DOA: There were so many different instruments, software, hardware, guitar effects and so on that were used on this album. Each individual tracks consisted of over 50 audio tracks of layers upon layers. I wouldn't even know where to start with if I had to explain it.
15. When did you start writing for this album? How was the songwriting process different/similar to previous Dawn Of Ashes albums?
K.DOA: I started writing Anathema in late 2011 & ended the creative process in Vrenna’s studio in early 2013. It was an extremely long progress and very detailed. I think there were similarities and also diverse ways of creating this album from previous material.
16. What image do you think your music conveys?
K.DOA: Depends on what era of DOA. Now it’s very based on Horror but has a glam type of theme as well. Horror has always been the element behind the imagery. I defiantly now like to spread my ego with a touch of sexual perversion and like to captivate that onto my fan base. Sex, blood, & black magic is the prime elements. Everything that Christianity & other holy religions despise.
17. How do you describe your music to people?
K.DOA: I would rather have the people describe the music to me.
18. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
K.DOA: You can go to the Dawn of Ashes Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/dawnofashesofficial & the Metropolis website at:
http://www.metropolis-records.com/artist/dawn-of-ashes
19. What plans do you have for the near future as a band?
K.DOA: Hopefully a consistent amount of touring, dj touring, & whatever reckless abuse we can get our hands onto. Should be quite busy for Dawn of Ashes.
20. What made you guys decide to form a band?
K.DOA: My talent is dictated with evil intentions I was meant to create music to shock & piss off people. There is nothing else worth doing.
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