Hypnosis - Music

AsZension Is A Canadian Progressive/instrumental Rock Band Formed In 2007 By Multiinstrumentalists Kevin Thiessen And Calvin Shiu Which Focuses On Fusing Progressive Rock And Metal With A Wide Array Of Instrumentation Ethnic Soundscapes And Musical Styles. The Bands Selftitled Debut Album Was Released On January 1st 2012 And Soon Earned A Nomination For Best Début Record At The 2012 ”Prog Awards” The Web World Awards Dedicated To Progressive Rock. The Album Also Features The Technical And Creative Drumming Of Kyle Sheppard With Guest Appearances By Guitarist Evan Arnott And Bassist David Philippe Plus A Bonus Vocal Performance By Geoff Ross On The Band’s Interpretation Of The Gentle Giant Classic ”Playing The Game”. As Of January 1st 2014 AsZension Will Be Releasing A New Studio Album Entitled ‘’Biosphere’’ As A Followup To The Ensemble’s 2012 Selftitled Debut Release. In An Advancing Stage Of Evolution The Album Showcases Guest Performances From A New Lineup Of Musicians As Well As A More Dramatic Approach To The Usual Methods Of Composition Which Are Primarily Guitar And Synthesizer Driven. The Songs Heavily Employ The Usage Of Ethnic Instruments Found In Asia Along With Other Ambient/world Influences. A More Integrated Rhythm Section Is Also Prominent On The New Release Which Has A Stronger Focus On Groove And Feel. Traditionally AsZension Will Be Releasing Another Bonus Cover Track This Time A World Music Rendition Of The 1979 Rush Classic ‘’Jacob’s Ladder’’. The Bonus Track Features Vocals By Returning Musician Geoff Ross. Artwork As Well As A Single From ‘’Biosphere’’ Will Be Released In December Of 2013 As A Prelude To The Final In Store Release. ‘’Strange Vibrant Enchanting Music Played… Seemingly Simple Musical Elements Woven Into Song Gradually Expanding Always A Promise Of Ecstasy Towards Their Music.’’ Passzio Webzine The Roots Of AsZension Began In The Summer Of 2007 After Studies In Contemporary Music And Technology Audio Engineering Production And Guitar At Selkirk College In Nelson B.C. Thiessen Began Seeking Out Like Minded Collaborators For A Musical Project That Would In Essence Fuse Metal And Progressive Rock With A Wide Array Of Instrumentation Ethnic Soundscapes And Musical Styles. Thiessen Approached Guitarist And Engineer Calvin Shiu A Martial Arts Practitioner And At The Time A Recording Arts Student At The University Of Lethbridge To See If He Would Be Interested In Contributing Musical And Coproduction Efforts To The Project. This Would Eventually Lead To The Incorporation Of The ”Shamisen” A Japanese Fretless Lutelike Instrument Into The Work Of AsZension And In Turn Inspire The Usage Of Additional World Instruments Achieved Through The Advent Of ”virtual Instrument Technology” Or Otherwise Known As ”Vst’s” In Todays Digital Recording Era. To Complete The Percussive Audio Spectrum Drummer Kyle Sheppard A Fellow Selkirk Peer Of Thiessen And Lifelong Friend Of Shiu With Whom Thiessen Had Already Had A Working Relationship During Their Studies At Selkirk Naturally Joined The Fold To Create The Basis Of ”AsZension”. Although Thiessen’s Instrumental Contributions To ”AsZension” Account For Various Elements Such As 7 8 And 12 String Electric And Acoustic Guitars Bass Guitar Mandolin Synthesizers Programming Voice And Percussion They Also Account For The Composing Arranging Producing Engineering Mixing Mastering And Even The Artwork For The Album Releases. Shiu Contributed The Exotic Styling’s Of The Shamisen Along With Coproduction And Engineering Duties On The Debut Release. Also Adding Color To The Melodic Canvas Are Guests And Fellow Collegiates Evan Arnott 7 String And Midi Electric Guitars Tracks 2 And 11 And Geoff Ross Vocals On The Band’s Interpretation Of The Gentle Giant Classic ”Playing The Game”. Additional Performances By Band Friend David Philippe Fretless And Fretted Bass Guitars On ”Playing The Game” As Well As Track 5 Of The Album. ”Be Careful And Watch Out Here Is A Very Hot Contender For “Newcomer Of The Year”. AsZension From Canada Convinces Us With Their Own Interpretation Of Progressive Rock Across The Board.’’ Empire Magazine The Musical Influences Of AsZension Have Often Been Derived From The Great Progressive Rock Bands Of The 70′s And 80′s Such As Rush Gentle Giant Camel King Crimson Yes And IQ. There Is Also A Strong Instrumental Guitar Influence From The Likes Of Steve Morse Or Tony Macalpine. Ambient And World Trends Are Used Heavily And At Times Reminiscent Of A More Cinematic Or ”filmscoring” Approach. Other Metallic Influences Might Include Opeth Cynic Or Porcupine Tree As Well As World Influences Such As Karl Sanders Dead Can Dance Or Even The Yoshida Brothers. The Name ”AsZension” Is Simply A Germanic Spelling Of The English Word ”ascension” Which Means To ”ascend”.. The Band Adopted The ”Z” Usage Partly For Aesthetics And Mostly To Have An Underlying Vibe Of ”Tranquility” To The Name. AsZension Is Primarily A Studio Project With Plans Of Evolving To Live Performances In The Future And Production For A New Studio Album Is Said To Be Completed Though According To The Band ” An Official Physical And Online Release Will Be Announced In The Weeks Approaching The New Year As A Tentative Release Date On Jan 1st 2014 Is Set To Transpire’’. read less