Toronto-based band ASCENDIA have just released their latest single from their upcoming album, PARASITE – “This War” is a raw and intense alt rock track about internal struggle. We caught up with the band to chat about the song, their creative process, and the influences that have helped to shape their sound.
From The Strait: Tell us about the new single, “This War”.
Ascendia: We all have important things we know need our attention but are putting them off. We all have relationships that are being tested and are even failing. Many of us struggle with the demons that live in our minds and we can’t get rid of them. Every day is a battle and This War is about exactly that.
FTS: How did Ascendia get started as a band?
Ascendia: We are high school sweethearts. Billy(drums) and I (guitars) are brothers and discovered nick’s beautiful voice in high school while making our visit to our local music store. He basically started singing and we were blown away by his raw talent. After that day, we made sure he knew he was joining our band. It was nonnegotiable.
FTS: Every band has their own way of creating songs – what is your songwriting process like?
Ascendia: It always starts with the music for us. Billy’s primary focus is writing the best “hook” for a song. He spends hours of his time working out potential chorus lines on piano until he finds something that works. As the guitar player I try to create the musical landscape for the song with riffs. Nick comes in when Billy and I get the song to a working level, and he will help make modifications that are suitable to his voice. These modifications can really help transform the song.
FTS: What are some Canadian bands you’ve been listening to lately?
Ascendia: Three Days Grace and Spirit Box are the ones that come to mind.
FTS: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences, and how have they helped to shape your sound?
Ascendia: Each member brings their own individual influences to the table. For example, I enjoy listening to artists that are charting in the active rock category. So, I’m heavily influenced by bands like Nothing More, Falling In Reverse, Bad Wolves, Three Days Grace etc. These bands write incredible heavy music with great guitar riffs. Billy will listen to similar bands but also takes heavy influence from pop artists such as The Weekend and Post Malone to name a few. As I mentioned, he always searching for that incredible hook and pop music really delivers in that department. Nick is more of a heavy metal junkie. He loves bands like Meshuggah and Architects but pulls vocal influences from Chris Cornell, Howard Jones and Serj Tankian. After combining all of these influences the Ascendia Sound is born!
Check out “This War”, the new single from ASCENDIA!