(Season of Mist)
Total Time: 43:08
ASRAI are another band from the Netherlands and they have borrowed their name from the Wood Elves of Warhammer. The band was formed in 1985 while a few of its members have a history of participating to new wave, punk and gothic bands, something that shows in the music they are creating today. The founding members are twin sisters Margriet (vocals) and Karin (drums) that made quite an effort to establish the band, self producing and releasing several demo tapes till they finally managed to sign with Poison Ivy, thus making their first firm step into the music industry. Since then they have released two cds winning an Essent Award as “best new band” and giving a few concerts all over the world.
“Pearls in Dirt”, the third album of ASRAI in now a mature album soaked with the past’s experience as well as the varied musical history of the band, showing influences of new wave and punk music. Only this time ASRAI are combining these influences with a heavier sound exploring unbeaten tracks. The ten songs of the album can be identified as gothic rock while the band is sometimes flirting with a heavier sound – still we detect only a hint of metal music. In this context, there is diversity among the songs. There are sensitive, softer, ballad like moments with songs like “Stay with me” and “Something I said”. There are upbeat songs like “Delilah’s lie”, “Go” and “Your hands go cold” retaining their original gothic touch. A touch of PLASMATICS and Wendy O. Williams with a punk track named “Awaken”. “Sour Sound”, which is also the single of the album that has already been released, is an eighties new wave song while “Roses” approaches a more pop sound with typical keyboards. The album closes with “Chain me” sealing this musical journey and confirming the dark and melancholic character of ASRAI.
“Pearls in Dirt” will definitely going to be a hit among new wave/gothic music lovers as ASRAI surely are making a name for themselves!
