Metalcore/new age post-hardcore British squad Asking Alexandria have just released their third studio album From Death To Destiny. The record is vastly different to their usual style and incorporates classic metal elements.
The band is still soaking up the glory after the release of their most successful album to date. After walking out of the cinema having just watched The Conjuring which “scared the shit out of” him, guitarist and founder Ben Bruce of Asking Alexandria discusses his feelings about the record.
“It’s overwhelming really, we were a little bit apprehensive writing it given how big a leap it is as well as being something we haven’t quite reached before.” Their confidence remained strong with their awareness of their fans’ ongoing support.
“We’ve been able to reach out to new audiences which are great as well as keeping old fans who seem to be happy with it as well.”
From Death To Destiny resembles the glam metal era including tracks like ‘Moving On’ a promising anthem for the band. “We’ve always loved ’80s music like Poison, Mötley Crüe, Warrant and stuff like that but we never really had the balls to go out and write that kind of album” but Bruce reckons fans were expecting this change of direction regardless.
The band agreed on the musical style before going ahead writing an album which was clearly different to Asking Alexandria’s career defining releases. “It was something that we all wanted to do, we all sat down and discussed it – and you know we could have gone ahead and written another Reckless And Relentless” but it was not what the Yorkers were after.
“We’ve been able to reach out to new audiences which are great as well as keeping old fans who seem to be happy with it as well.”
“We wanted to show the world how much we love rock and roll and pay tribute to it” but without abandoning their signature style. “We had a really good time writing this record and fans seem like they are having a good time listening to it which is reassuring.”
A shift in musical style is not the only reflection of Asking Alexandria’s diversity with the mixture of bands of various sub-genres they tour with.
“Since day one we’ve always pushed our boundaries, we’ve never really liked to stick to certain bands we play with on stage” as the Brits appreciate different crowds.
“We have been on tour with hardcore bands like Stick To Your Guns and Evergreen Terrace as well as going on tours with bands like Slipknot, Avenged Sevenfold and All That Remains” who all sit deep in the metal sphere.
Bruce is stoked to be touring From Death To Destiny in the U.S. with some different characters as well.
“I’m really looking forward to touring with Korn, especially since they were so inspirational when they started their careers. Korn came out and sort of invented that whole nu-metal genre that we also grew up listening to.”
Obviously a perk of touring with artists of different sub-genres is the increase of exposure and growing fanbase. “It has always a goal for us, we always want to expand our audience as well as keeping our fans happy.” Bruce really appreciates the notion of recruiting new fans that are unfamiliar with the metalers.
Of course Asking Alexandria have recently been announced for Australia’s infamous Soundwave festival which will be their second appearance at the festival in 2011.
Bruce discusses some memories from Soundwave. “One of the highlights was (and it’s going to sound silly but) – eating at Hungry Jacks” – the fast-food equivalent to Burger King. “Good god man, I love Hungry Jacks so much!”
Bruce cannot wait to get back down to Australia next year. “We came back here after Soundwave to support The Amity Affliction which was one of our favourite tours to date.”
The band contemplated the vehicle of returning to Australia in terms whether to do a festival or headline shows. “We quickly opted for the festival decision after Soundwave was such a good experience so we’re really looking forward to getting back over there.”
“We’ve actually started drinking less so this time we might actually be good!”
Asking Alexandria will be getting amongst the atmosphere at Soundwave. “There are so many bands all playing on the one roof and you get to hang out with some neat bands you looked up to when you were a kid” as well as seeing old friends on tour.
The guitarist is not only stoked to hang out with old friends but to discover new bands as well. “You get to meet new people you’ve never met before and make some friends so you know it is going to be a good time.”
So with Soundwave always comes the excitement of sidewaves – the sideshows distributed around venues of most cities between festivals. “Last time we did Soundwave, we did sidewave shows were with Bring Me The Horizon and The Amity Affliction which was a great time.”
Asking Alexandria have been told that this time around “we are going to be headlining our own set of shows which would be really awesome.” Bruce admits that Soundwave headliner Avenged Sevenfold have already expressed interest in having Asking Alexandria as direct support.
“We’re not really too sure who will be headlining or what the deal is yet but either way I’m sure it will be a good time.”
The founder of UK rockers reckons their appearance at Soundwave next year will be different to the last. “We’ve actually started drinking less so this time we might actually be good [he chuckles] and actually sound like we do on the record which is exciting.”
Bruce claims the band has been working really hard on their performance – it will definitely be a live experience that we have to offer our Australian fans. “We still like to party but we just make sure we drink after we play rather than before” – Bruce cheekily giggles.
Tickets for the Soundwave festival have just gone on sale for all cities across Australia, so grab yours to catch Asking Alexandria playing some new tracks off From Death To Destiny as well as some classics.
Soundwave 2014 Lineup
Green Day
Avenged Sevenfold
Stone Temple Pilots (with Chester Bennington)
Megadeth
Alice In Chains
Rob Zombie
Megadeth
Placebo
AFI
KoRn
Alterbridge
Trivium
Down
DevilDriver
Newsted
Biffy Clyro
Rocket From The Crypt
Asking Alexandria
Clutch
Alkaline Trio
Baroness
Five Finger Death Punch
August Burns Red
Testament
Living Color
Letlive
Motionless In White
Gwar
Black Dahlia Murder
MushroomHead
Finch
Pulled Apart By Horses
Ill Nino
Nancy Vandal
Bowling For Soup
Trash Talk
Skindred
Volbeat
Amon Amarth
Terror
Whitechapel
TesseracT
The Story So Far
Hardcore Superstar
10 Years
Walking Papers
Our Last Night
Coliseum
Your Demise
Heaven’s Basement
Real Friends
+ more to be announced.
Soundwave 2014 Dates & Tickets
Tickets on sale Thrusday 9th September at 9am
via: soundwavefestival.com, oztix.com.au & other outlets
Saturday 22nd February – Brisbane, RNA Showgrounds
Sunday 23rd February – Sydney, Olympic Park
Friday 28th February – Melbourne, Flemington Racecourse
Saturday 1st March – Adelaide, Bonython Park
Monday 3rd March – Perth, Claremont Showgrounds
