UK progressive rock band, NTH ASCENSION, featuring TEN keyboarder Darrel Treece-Birch in their ranks, have announced the release of their third album ‘Stranger Than Fiction‘ on May 31st 2019 via Metatronic Records. The album contains 8 tracks including a further three instalments from the ongoing Clanaan Chronicles storyline which began on their debut release.
NTH ASCENSION has returned to their regular album artist Oliver Pengilley to paint the stunning new artwork. The renowned UK artist made his cover art debut with NTH ASCENSION’s first release ‘Ascension of Kings’ in 2014, and was followed by their sophomore release ‘In Fine Initium’ in 2016. The powerful seascape contains Pengilley’s trademark imagery and pulls the viewer deep into ocean waves.
Track listing:
1. The Opening
2. True Identity
3. Fire In The Sky
4. Reconciled
5. The Gathering (Clanaan pt7)
6. Journeys End (Clanaan pt8)
7. Lament (Clanaan pt9)
8. Sound To Light
The album was engineered by Darrel Treece-Birch & Martin Walker. Mixed and Mastered by Eric Gillette (Neal Morse Band), EKG Studios, USA.
Writing in NTH ASCENSION is very collaborative. Initial ‘bare bones’ of songs are brought into a rehearsal setting and the band enhances the song from there. Once the song is fleshed out and expanded upon it is then ready for playing live or indeed recording. All members of the band bring ideas to the table and in some cases a reinvention of older ideas from the various incarnations of previous bands, eg Vision is a song written originally in 1991 by Darrel Treece-Birch, at which time it was 8 minutes long and not 18 minutes as it finally ended up.
Influence wise each band member sites many artists as ‘having an influence’. Such as, Marillion, Genesis, Yes, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Rush, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd to name a few. But the band resolutely stands by, that the music that is created is not designed or to order but is organic and natural.
NTH ASCENSION is:
Michael Alan Taylor – Vocals
Darrel Treece-Birch – Keyboards (TEN)
Craig Walker – Drums & Percussion
Gavin Walker – Bass Guitar
Martin Walker – Electric & Acoustic Guitars