Ash Code

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Ash Code
Ash Code at Nocturnal Culture Night 2017
Ash Code at Nocturnal Culture Night 2017
Background information
OriginNaples, Italy
GenresDark wave, synth-pop, new wave, post-punk
Years active2014 (2014)–present
LabelsMetropolis Records
Swiss Dark Nights
Manic Depression Records
Icy Cold BPitch Control
SpinoffsNeila Invo
MembersAlessandro Belluccio
Claudia Nottebella
Adriano Belluccio
Websiteashcode.eu

Ash Code is an Italian dark wave band[1] formed in 2014 in Napoli[2] by the singer Alessandro Belluccio, the keyboardist Claudia Nottebella and the bass player Adriano Belluccio.[3] Ash Code's music covers a wide range of genres including dark wave, post-punk, synth-pop and EBM.[4][5]

History[edit]

Claudia at NCN 2015

Early days[edit]

The band started informally when Alessandro began working with Claudia on two unfinished songs from his previous band. In January 2014, "Dry your Eyes" and "Unnecessary Songs" were released online. Positive feedback from the online releases prompted Alessandro and Claudia to begin more serious work as a band, bringing Alessandro's brother Adriano in to complete the trio.[6] In a matter of weeks, they signed with the Greek label Gehemnis Records for releasing a 7" single (300 numbered copies in June 2014)[7] and an extended mix of "Dry Your Eyes" was included in the third volume of "Pagan Love Songs" compilation (compiled by Ralf Thyssen and Thomas Thyssen) alongside other important bands like She Past Away, Linea Aspera, The Chameleons, Psyche, Ulterior, Miserylab. [8][9]

A second digital single for the song "Empty Room" was released in June 2014 including the cover of "I can't escape myself" from The Sound as b-side.

'Oblivion' LP (2014)[edit]

On October 15, 2014, Ash Code released their first full-length album, ‘Oblivion’ on CD under the Swiss Dark Nights label. The concept of oblivion described by the band is interpreted possibility in accordance with Nietzschean philosophy, where forgetfulness was described as an active force to forget what one suffers and afflicts us without getting caught in a spiral of negative feelings and depression. It is one way to react positively to life, to avoid further pain and suffering. The work reached 2nd in the "Soundcheck" chart of Sonic Seducer [10] and it was described as feverish and restless debut, capable of translating the Icy Expressionist theme pairing with the abrasive sweep of the neo industrial;[11] essentially 10 tracks between Darkwave and black electro pop,[12] succeeding at capturing the early days yet blending them into present time by means of modern Synthpop,[13] catchy and tormented hints[14] delivering one of the best Darkwave albums of 2014.[15]

A second press of the CD was released in May 2015 with inverted colours for the cover, as well as a vinyl version under the label Manic Drepression Records.

Alessandro at NCN 2015

'Posthuman' LP (2016)[edit]

On 27 February 2016 their second LP "Posthuman" was released under the Swiss Dark Nights label. According to the band, we live in a posthuman era. It is an era of technology, of multiculturalism, of the transformation of every aspect of the world around us. In this radical change, the individual must relocate ethically, socially and politically while men must reformulate their values, with the understanding that they do not own the world but rather share it with other natural beings. The album reached the 2nd position in the "Soundcheck" chart of Sonic Seducer again[16] and was described as a hectic work of obsessive rhythm and markedly post-punk.

The sepulchral vocals and dark catchiness of the supporting melodies, being constantly on the edge of a glacial minimalism made the album pretty much reverberating electrogoth similar to other seminal bands such as Clan Of Xymox, Depeche Mode, The Sisters of Mercy.[17] The band used minimal wave structures ultimately intended for the dance floor[18] and adhered to the dandy apocalyptic manifesto claiming Gary Numan, Soft Cell and Neon as inspirational fathers.[19] Posthuman is also depicted as an album where the trio searches for new paths,[20] personalizing the sound with noisy analog DIY synthesisers[21] and instruments such as Mellotron and Theremin,[22] being overall a more mature work and even more accessible than "Oblivion" .[23]

In April 2016 a vinyl version with inverted colours for the cover was released under the label Manic Depression Records.

During the last months of 2016 they start to remix songs from their favourite bands like Moby, Hante, She Past Away and Massive Ego.

Perspektive LP (2018)[edit]

A new single, Icy Cold' was released on 9th June 2017 as 7" single, as the first taste of the band's new direction. In the video is possible to watch the musicians playing inside the cold eyes of the protagonist.[24]

On May 18, 2018, the band released the third album Perspektive on Swiss Dark Nights / Manic Depression Records. The LP reached the first position in the "Soundcheck" chart of Sonic Seducer and was selected as "Album of the month" too.[25]

During September 2018 the band announced to have signed with Metropolis Records[26] and every record is repressed on CD and vinyl in exclusive editions for North and South America during the autumn of 2018.

Coronavirus days + Fear EP (2020/2022)[edit]

On 14 February 2020, a remix of "She" from Clan of Xymox was released. The arrival of the Coronavirus destroyed all the band's plans, a LATAM tour in July 2020 was cancelled and a US tour scheduled for September 2020 too, but the band did not lose heart and was among the first ones to experiment a live streaming from home in March, raising funds for a local hospital.[27][28]

Thanks to the success of the initiative, the band has been at the forefront working for the organization of the Gothicat Festivals, a series of charity online festivals made with contributions from the best bands of the darkwave/goth scene. [29][30]

During the summer 2020 Claudia started the side project Neila Invo, a post-punk female trio.

On 19 March 2021 Fear EP was released, the work includes three brand new songs and remixes by Clan of Xymox, Molchat Doma and Forever Grey. The EP was presented during a live in streaming performance featuring Mike Dudley (The Sound), Eric 13 (Combichrist) and Jon Siren (Iamx, Front Line Assembly, Psyclon Nine, Dismantled).

In December 2021 the band released a cover of the famous Bauhaus's song "All We Ever Wanted Was Everything" as a tribute to the English band.

In July 2022 Kill Shelter released "Feed the Fire" featuring Ash Code on vocals and synths,[31] the song is included in the Asylum LP.

On 28 October 2022 the American skateboarding lifestyle brand Supreme used "Sand" song for a promotional video on their social media.[32]

Dance and Kill (2023 – Present)[edit]

The year 2023 opens with a new course for the band: at the beginning of April the imminent publication of Dance and Kill is announced, an EP on vinyl containing 3 unreleased tracks composed in collaboration with the famous techno legend Ellen Allien. The collaboration was born by chance online and developed several times throughout 2022.[33]

The second single "Everything collapses" was premiered on 16 May 2022 on BBC Radio 6 Music by Mary Anne Hobbs and on Billboard Italia.

Lol Tolhurst (co-founder The Cure) references the band in his book Goth, specifically in the section dedicated to contemporary musical acts that delve into the realm of dark and moody soundscapes.[34]

In January 2024, the photographer Michel Haddi (famous for his shots of Tupac, David Bowie, Kate Moss and many others) decides to use the music of Ash Code for "Caserta Royal", a short film dedicated to the fashion brand Sapio.[35]

Live performances[edit]

Adriano at NCN 2017

The band toured Europe, US, Latin America,[36] Russia, visiting 27 different countries[37] and sharing the stage with important bands of the scene such as Gang of Four, Mr.Kitty, IAMX, Lebanon Hanover, Clan of Xymox, She Past Away, Cold Cave, Boy Harsher, Drab Majesty, The Soft Moon, Twin Tribes, Actors, Kælan Mikla, Selofan, Front Line Assembly, Hante, Covenant, Minuit Machine, Agent Side Grinder, Trisomie 21, The Frozen Autumn, Skeletal Family, Pink Turns Blue, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, New Model Army, Kirlian Camera, The Invincible Spirit, Sixth June, Veil of Light, Creux Lies and Wingtips.

They have also performed at festivals such as Wave-Gotik-Treffen (2015,2018,2023),[38] Grauzone (2023), Amphi Festival (2019,2022), Entremuralhas[39] (2015), Castle Party (2019), Cold Waves Festival (2023), Nocturnal Culture Night (2015,2017),[40] W-Festival (2018), Dark Storm Festival (2018), Cold Hearted Festival (2022), Prague Gothic Treffen XIII (2018), E-Only (2020), Fekete Zaj Fesztivál (2019) and A Murder of Crows Festival (2019)[41]

Name, sound and influences[edit]

The two words of the band's moniker have the initials A and C corresponding to those of the band members. They chose "Ash" in homage to the Vesuvius, the active volcano near Napoli and to Daniel Ash. "Code" was added to evoke something indefinite yet existentialist.[42] Their music is deeply influenced by early 80's tunes from bands like Depeche Mode and The Sisters of Mercy, a sound devoted to the drum machine, powerful synthesisers[43] and benefitting from the versatility of a Fender VI bass,[44] a formula previously used by New Order[45] and The Cure.

Band members[edit]

Current members
  • Alessandro Belluccio – lead vocals, programming
  • Claudia Nottebella(Schoenenacht) – keyboards, backing vocals
  • Adriano Belluccio – bass

Discography[edit]

LP[edit]

EP[edit]

Singles 7"[edit]

  • Dry Your Eyes (2014) Gehemnis Records
  • Icy Cold (2017) Synth Religion

Live[edit]

Remixes made by Ash Code[edit]

Remixes of Ash Code's songs[edit]

  • Oblivion – Minuit Machine Remix (2014)
  • Dry your eyes – Ken Utterson Remix (2014)
  • Unnecessary Songs – Tr80R remix (2014)
  • Nite Rite – Delphine Coma Remix (2016)
  • Tide – Orax Remix (2016)
  • Posthuman – Electrogenic Remix (2016)
  • Alone in Your Dance – Emerson Dracon Remix (2016)
  • Disease – Hante Remix (2018)
  • Perspektive – We Are Temporary Remix (2018)
  • If You Were Here – She Pleasures Herself Remix (2018)
  • Glow – Agent Side Grinder Remix (2018)
  • Perspektive – The Ne-21 Remix (2018)
  • Icy Cold – Selfishadows Remix (2018)
  • Fear – Clan Of Xymox Remix (2021)
  • Fear – Molchat Doma Remix (2021)
  • Fear – Forever Grey Remix (2021)

Videography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://www.repubblica.it/venerdi/2022/08/12/news/nuova_scena_musicale_napoletana-360514801 Repubblica by Carmine Saviano
  2. ^ Mauro Fenoglio, "La Città a strati" – "Rumore" Magazine(IT) number 364 p. 35
  3. ^ Gianni Valentino, La Repubblica(IT) 20/05/16 p. XXI.
  4. ^ "As Convergence Festival Turns 25, A Look at the State of Goth in America". Billboard. 3 May 2019.
  5. ^ "Goth: Histoire d'une subculture" by Thierry Boucanier, page 364
  6. ^ Canter, Christopher, ed. (Summer 2021). "Ash Code". Procession Magazine. No. 3. pp. 4–6.
  7. ^ "Ash Code "Empty Room" & "Dry Your Eyes" Singles – Post-Punk.com". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Various Artists "Pagan Love Songs – Antitainment Compilation Vol. 3"". Archived from the original on 30 November 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  9. ^ "Compilation of the Month – Pagan Love Songs Antitainment Vol. III". Post-punk.com. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  10. ^ Sonic Seducer Magazine(DE) – Dez 2014/Jan 2015 – p. 74. nd 78
  11. ^ "Rumore" Magazine(IT) – December 2014 p. 70
  12. ^ Giorgio Brivio, "Ascension Magazine"(IT) – number 38 p.35
  13. ^ "Ash Code – Oblivion :: Le recensioni di OndaRock". Ondarock.it. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  14. ^ "This is Gothic Rock: Ash Code – Oblivion (2014)". Thisisgothicrock.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  15. ^ "ASH CODE , Oblivion , Music, CD review". Peek-a-boo-magazine.be. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  16. ^ Sonic Seducer Magazine(DE) – April 2016 p. 74, 79.
  17. ^ "Ash Code – Posthuman". Rockit.it. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  18. ^ Emanuele Salvini, "Rockerilla" Magazine(IT) number 427 p. 74.
  19. ^ Stefano Morelli, "Rumore" Magazine(IT) number 290 p. 66.
  20. ^ "ASH CODE , Posthuman , Music, CD review". Peek-a-boo-magazine.be. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  21. ^ Ash Code (2 February 2016). "Ash Code – Making of "Posthuman" LP". Youtube.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018 – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "La darkwave degli Ash Code torna a Napoli: al Cellar Theory si presenta 'Posthuman'". Napoli.fanpage.it. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  23. ^ Alex Daniele, "Ascension Magazine"(IT) number 42 p.71.
  24. ^ Kälte-Pop: Die Geschichte des erfolgreichsten deutschen Popmusik-Exports by Florian Völker, page 537
  25. ^ Sonic Seducer Magazine (DE) – May 2018
  26. ^ "Ash Code – Metropolis Records".
  27. ^ https://www.ilmattino.it/societa/persone/ash_code_concerti_live_per_il_cotugno-5167841.html by Melina Chiapparino
  28. ^ https://www.rockit.it/articolo/nessuna-citta-ha-suonato-come-napoli-durante-questa-quarantena by Sergio Sciambra
  29. ^ "Gothicat Festival: Revive las 6 horas de post-punk en línea". 8 June 2020.
  30. ^ "A sign of our time – Gothicat Festival#1 live stream".
  31. ^ https://www.grammy.com/news/10-new-goth-darkwave-bands-videos-cruel-world-festival-world-goth-day
  32. ^ https://www.instagram.com/reel/CkQ8r6ig8RJ<>
  33. ^ https://post-punk.com/techno-icon-ellen-allien-collaborates-with-darkwave-trio-ash-code-in-the-video-for-dance-and-kill/
  34. ^ Goth by Lol Tolhust p.212
  35. ^ https://sapio.website/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Haddi-Online-24-01-17-WEB.mp4
  36. ^ Book "Il Rock è morto?" by Luca Paisiello
  37. ^ "SHOWS HISTORY – Ash Code".
  38. ^ "~ Official Website Wave-Gotik-Treffen Leipzig". Wave-gotik-treffen.de. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  39. ^ "ENTREMURALHAS 2015". Fadeinaacultural.com. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  40. ^ "Historie – Nocturnal Culture Night". Nocturnal-culture-night.de. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  41. ^ "A Murder of Crows Festival 2019". Archived from the original on 7 September 2019.
  42. ^ "ASH CODE – interview by Peek-A-Boo magazine". Peek-a-boo-magazine.be. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  43. ^ "Ash Code – Oblivion". Rockit.it. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  44. ^ "Intervista agli Ash Code: Il postpunk italiano che piace all'estero". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  45. ^ Ox-Fanzine. "Reviews : ASH CODE / Oblivion :: ox-fanzine.de". Ox-fanzine.de. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  46. ^ "Video Premiere – Ash Code – Oblivion". Youtube.com. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  47. ^ "Ash Code – Nite Rite Video Premiere". Youtube.com. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  48. ^ "Exklusive Premiere: Ash Code veröffentlichen Videoclip "Tide"". Archived from the original on 14 May 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  49. ^ "Ash Code Premiere the Video for "Perspektive" Featuring die Selektion's Luca Gillian". 18 April 2018.
  50. ^ "Italian Dark Wave Trio Ash Code Premiere "Black Gloves"". 26 September 2018.
  51. ^ "Curiosity is a "Disease" in Ash Code's New Expressionist Video from "Perspektive" | Plus US Tour Dates". July 2019.
  52. ^ "Darkwave Heroes Ash Code Wander the Vanished NYC in their Spellbinding Video for "1981"". 28 February 2020.
  53. ^ "Darkwave Trio Ash Code Debut Video for "Fear" from EP with Remixes by Clan of Xymox; Molchat Doma". 8 February 2021.
  54. ^ "Watch the Melancholy Dark Pop Art of ASH CODE "Fear" – CVLT Nation". 9 February 2021.

External links[edit]

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