ASKA; What more can we possibly say regarding this perennial favorite "underground" band that hasn't been touted already from rooftops across the electrified globe? For the uninitiated: ASKA was born during the nascent alternative/grunge movement of the early 90's and eschewed the popular fad in favor of playing metal music - their way. Sounding like the full-grown offspring of a Judas Priest/Iron Maiden union, ASKA showcase a thundering rhythm section, guitarists that can actually play solos, a singer with a 5-octave range and the band's true secret weapon; its songs. With topics that delve beyond the standard metal fare and bring thought provoking images of war, lost love, lament, psychopathy, religion, history and much more to the surface, their lyrical subject matter sets them well apart from the "I love Metal & the devil" pack that most people identify with the genre. From the first release to their fifth, the band has embarked on a variety of world tours that would be the envy of better established acts and its netted them notoriety, credibility, four indie record company contracts, radio play, television appearances, endorsement deals and 40+ countries notched on their belts to date and counting. ASKA's last two releases, the critically acclaimed "Avenger" and the hot-selling, now-in-its-5th pressing, "Absolute Power", garnered unanimous praise and adoration globally and have been consistently ranked among the best contemporary albums in metal during each record's initial year of release. In fact, "Absolute Power" was so well received within the music community that legendary metal bands, OMEN, BANSHEE, CLOVEN HOOF & YNGWIE MALMSTEEN's ex-bassist/brother-in-law, Mick Cervino, offered singer/guitarist, George Call, a position as their lead vocalist. ASKA has also performed at some of the biggest festivals around the planet and have been seen both onstage and off in the company of the some of the most revered artists in the genre. Now, as ASKA readies unleashes its sixth release, 'Fire Eater' the band seems poised to join the great hall of champions and take their rightful place among the new defenders of the metal faith. ASKA is comprised of George Call (vocals/guitar), Keith Knight (bass, vocals), Chris Menta (guitar) and Danny White (drums). www.askaband.com www.facebook.com/georgecall.71 www.facebook.com/askadfw www.myspace.com/askaband Related: www.facebook.com/bansheerocks www.violentstorm.net AVENGER CD REVIEWS: "Best metal band since Maiden." -Robert Miguel, KEGL 97.1 FM Dallas Radio (USA) "...we hope that...this...reaches your ears soon!! Great disc!!" -Latimer, PORTAL METALICO (Spain) 9/10 POINTS - "...highly recommended... Each and every metal head would be happy to discover this American band... killer songs that keep playing in your head right after the very first listen... highly recommended..." -Bullos, METAL HAMMER (Israel) "...Superb..." -Boris Kaiser, ROCK HARD (Germany) "Cross between large looming gothic metal classics of old, and a lusty Manowar-ish biker metal...sounds good in these shoes...straight-lined toward the essence of metal" -Martin Popoff, HARD RADIO (Canada) "...incredible vocalist and guitarist...awesome band... What's the most important thing on here? It's definitely the music and these guys f**king jam. You need to hear George's vocals... You need to hear the mega...master riffs. You need to hear the influenced-by Steve Harris bass...ASKA is Metal! YES!" - Jeff Rappaport, METAL RULES! (USA) "100% true power metal--no filler; (A) must have CD for fans of Virgin Steele, Dio, Manowar, etc. Recommended US classic power metal" -Denis Gulby, SENTINEL STEEL (USA) "...brilliant...The most (listened to) album in my cd player the last two months...100 times better than the whole NWoEhM movement." -Heinz Konzett, SNAKEPIT (Austria) "Much has been made of the NWOBHM movement and the influence it bestowed on the many that followed and none have effectively carried that tradition to further heights than this talented quartet. ...creative genius in this day and age!" -Vinnie Apicella, ILL LITERATURE (USA) "Epic songs with a traditional metal edge, tons of melody and vocals to match. ASKA has convinced me already." -Ron Van Hall, AARDSCHOK (Holland) "...Power Metal blitzkrieg... A must for any fan of Metal. Make that HEAVY FRIGGIN' METAAAALLLLLLLLL!!! Whew! I feel better now." - Michael Rosser, PROMETHEAN CRUSADE (USA) "Like a bomb up the backside...I can't help but think that the big league is beckoning." -Mark Hoaksey, POWERPLAY (UK) 9/10 POINTS "... intelligent lyrics, pounding backbeats, strong vocals and fast, clear guitar riffs. Not only is this a high quality Metal album, but you also get a running concept through the songs...nice to see someone actually thinking about lyrics again. If you're one of those disappointed with the lack of high quality Metal music for the modern age, look no further..." -Alan Holloway, HARD ROXX (UK) "For all the metal people in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, ASKA is a household name. They've won countless local music awards and remain one of the top metal acts in Texas. (their)...audience will adore this album... I'm raising my devil horns to ASKA..." -Tim Taylor, THE LINK (USA) "...All the CDs I get from (a certain metal music record label)...it's just uninteresting music. ASKA on the other hand got my attention..." -Stefan Weinerhall, FALCONER (Sweden) "I'm totally impressed man, it f**king rocks hard and heavy. It really takes a lot to impress me with new music...and it is so hard to come across such a great metal band who plays great metal like (the) guys do...I'm rapt for (ASKA)!" -Johnny Stoj, PEGAZUS (Australia) "The music sounds quite sincere and heroic and is performed with confidence, energy and power!!! I send the band a LOUD "BY THE GODS"!!!!!!!!!!! MAY YOUR SPIRITS REMAIN PROUD, STRONG...INVICTUS!!!!!!!!!!! Very nice work indeed!!!" -David DeFeis, VIRGIN STEELE (USA) 9.5/10 POINTS "Taking a full turn toward the melodic power metal sound they've flirted with on their last 2 albums, Aska has a near perfect masterpiece on their hands. A must buy for true metal fans. The (cd) booklet alone is 20 pages...but it wouldn't matter if (it) only came in a slip cover, this is one of the few essential purchases of the year, highly, highly recommended!" -Kevin Lewis, OCTOBER 31st guitarist & EUPHONY MUSIC NEWS (USA) "Power metal in league with Priest, Manowar, Maiden and all things manly! ...this really does kick some serious a**." -John Perez, SOLITUDE AETURNUS & founder BRAINTICKET RECORDS (USA) "ASKA... pull out all the stops. Earth Crunching, Thunderous Rhythms, paint the background for true melodic craftsmanship. A must have for all Metal Fans." - Nathan Hiller, GODS OF METAL (USA) 15/15 POINTS - Ralf Henn, UNDERGROUND EMPIRE (Germany) "...pure fury and aggression. They have constructed songs that defy popular convention and aim directly at the heart of their audience. ...composed and constructed with the finesse of the finest metal architects. Everything is perfect....genius...Avenger is fated to have an international success and a world recognition from all heavy fans, the future will show that. Hail!" - Michael Kanellis, THE DOG (Greece) 10/10 POINTS "...brilliant...will put ASKA among the heavy metal elite. ...the best exponents of American Heavy Metal." -Jimmy Ruiz, HIMNOS RITUALES DE GUERRA (Colombia) "...brilliant coolness ...a neckbreaker. ...great traditional metal...high quality." -Sascha "Sir Lord Doom" Maurer, HELLION RECORDS (Germany) 9/10 points "...hand-forged steel in its purest form. ...should be praised kneeling in front of the stereo. ASKA masterfully manage to combine melody and aggression... Brilliant!" -Charly Kogler, METAL-OBSERVER (Germany) 9.5/10 POINTS "...mixing the best elements of 80’s U.S. and European metal...twin guitar leads and on top a superb vocalist with a melodic mid-ranged powerful voice. ...buy it...right now!!! " -Ronny Elst, METAL COVEN (Belgium) "...ASKA delivers a powerful heavy metal record that must be in your metal collection... Excellent production, excellent songs and ...a wonderful vocalist. I simply can't wait for the next album!" -Danny, METALREVIEWS.COM (Germany) 9/10 POINTS - "I'm about the last one to recognise how good this band is." -Ruediger Abend, UNBROKEN METAL (Germany) "...awesome, powerful..." -Amy Burch, NEON'S METAL MADNESS (USA) "WOW, this stuff is BRILLIANT -very well structured, very well played...very melodic...this is a masterpiece...this is a classic...a true buy or die album." -Francisco Alcobia, metal merchant (Portugal) "...a show of musical maturity, technique and feeling...delivers all of the ingredients that please lovers of the style, be it power riffs, technical drums, epic vocals or fantastic lyrics. ...creative and beautiful vocals...fabulous guitar duets...epic.. eternal..." -Edgar Franco, KREPUSKELUM (Brazil) "Wow! I have to say I am amazed... (Here's) everything you've been looking for: melodic speed metal hymns, slow epic songs, catchy hard/heavy tracks, brilliant intros and outros, nice solos. I think you should get this cd NOW!" -Spyros "Braveheart" Bolakis, METAL STORM (Greece) "I was impressed... Followers of Priest, Dio, Virgin Steele, & Iron Maiden will definitely love this band... the music and great vocals will be the final say!" -Wayne Klinger, QUINTESSENCE (USA) 91/100 POINTS "Fantastic! Essential! You MUST own this!" -SkullCrusher, BRUTAL METAL.COM (USA) "...will have your head banging along within seconds...totally classic...PURE STEEL. I also love the vocals... all fans of traditional metal will lap this CD up! ...this is something to watch out for. Why these guys are not a household name is baffling!" -Geoff "Evil-G" Waye, METAL-RULES.COM (Canada) 9/10 POINTS -Alexander Zouridakis, SEVENTH SIGN (Greece) A- GRADE "The music most definitely sucked me right in. AVENGER is a heavier mix of Priest, Iron Maiden, Manowar, and a heaping helping of recent Virgin Steele. ASKA's sound: glorious, power/melodic metal. The guys are talented, and George Call's turn as lead guitarist/songwriter/vocalist is quite a nifty little triple threat." -Tim Wadzinski, DETRITUS (USA) 4/5 POINTS "...powerful..." -Jason Brown, FRIDAY THE 13th (UK) "...One will rarely hear a recording of this caliber coming from the underground. Everything is perfect. In my opinion, we have the album of the decade, even of the new millenium. Experience it yourself, and prepare for a journey from which you won't soon return. The perfect album!" -Laurent Bocquet, THE FRENCH CONNECTION (France) "Amazing." -Andre Barone, RENEGADE2K (Brazil) "...power metal with a keen ear for quality songwriting. George Call's vocals are powerful and dauntless. Even in today's power metal society ASKA is a rarity." -Brett Van Put, TRANSCENDING THE MUNDANE (USA) " ...wholly devoted to the triumph of the cause...a pure Heavy Metal CD whose every composition is finely executed..." -Louis Bourgade, METALLIAN (France) 4.5/5 BOLTS "...well crafted sonic steel...killer songwriting...supremely authoritative" - Brian Coles, ELECTRICBASEMENT.COM (USA) "...will compel the most restrained of headbangers to hail the metal gods without end." -Jon Kollnot, THROAT CULTURE (USA) "Oh yeah! Top-notch Maiden inspired metal. ...an absolute killer!" -Brian, AOR MUSIC (USA) "...this one really rocks. ...good solid songwriting. The vocals are great they're like Geoff Tate and Bruce Dickinson and even a little Paul Stanley..." -Russ Sauer, STATIC (USA) "...tears a page right out of Manowar's "Into Glory Ride" in epic style... ...impressive..." -Vinnie Apicella, STORMBRINGER (UK) "Power metal with all the trimmings. Solid band." - Shane Tolle, LAST JUDGEMENT (USA) "...one of the best Metal bands to emerge...totally blows away all their previous releases big time. They will surely be at the head of the Power Metal pack..." -Burt Wolf, TREATS FROM THE UNDERGROUND (USA) "The ultimate band fast-surging on the world stage. Great band, 100% heavy metal, great sounds, great lyrics, great chorus(es), great band!!! ASKA rules!!!! ...don't miss it !!!!" -Edison A. Pichiliani, METAL ON METAL (Brazil) "Strong and powerful vocal style, killer melodies & hooks, ...good guitar solos and lyrics... This is the kind of CD that each time you listen you hear something new. A great album for all true metal fans which makes (me) hungry for more... check them out NOW !!!!" -Marina, METAL HEART (Spain) 4/5 POINTS "...vocalist and lead guitarist George Call has an excellent voice...and bass freaks will be happy to know that not only are the bass lines pretty clear on the album, but a couple of songs also start with a leading bass intro, an interesting change from the usual guitar intros that the style has accustomed us to... Recommended to heavy and power metal fans." -Michel Renaud, THE METAL CRYPT (France) "A...powerful, to-the-hilt...NWOBHM extravaganza... Excellent, strong power vocals, with plenty of emotion. These guys deserve a major-label deal-- no questions asked." - Andrew Smith, ULTIMATE METAL REVIEWS (USA) "...an earthshaking, metal assault...this cd WILL NOT DISAPPOINT YOU!!" -Al "Gorgar" Reese, THE WEB (USA) 10/10 POINTS "This is the best heavy metal record I have heard in many, many years. " -Daniel Eriksson, POPOGA/BLAST (Sweden) "Nothing more real or desirable in this small world than women, alcohol, nicotine, and a heavy metal disc like this." -Mario Gallardo, DAEMONUM (Mexico) 5/5 STARS "...at this juncture, the best heavy metal (not melodic metal, not hard rock, not aor, but HEAVY metal) album of 2k." -Mark Orsted, HEAVEN'S SMILING (USA) "PURE HEAVY METAL! And it's tremendously good! No pop rock, no bulls**t, nothing but straight forward metal. A veritable feast for the headbanging community...Extremely satisfying." -Markus "Maggi" Rehm, WHAT'S METAL? (Germany) "Their crowning achievement...every note delivered is another ounce of blood poured from the veins." -Vinnie Apicella, BALLBUSTER (USA) "...ultra-killer songs from a band whose previous album was so cool, you had to wonder if they could meet it or beat it, much less do it so quickly." -Campbell Bros., HARD RADIO (USA) "Highly, highly, highly recommended!!! Once again, the band grows and matures and shows why they should get the recognition they're due." -Bill Tucker, RESTLESS & WILD IMPORTS (USA) 5/5 STARS "I know it's sometimes hard to get excited about a cd in these "seen it all, heard it all" times we live in. I'm as big a cynic as the next guy but every now and again something comes along that reaffirms your commitment to this music. This...does exactly that. Do yourself a favor and get it today." -Nicolas Stevens, METAL SAVIOR (USA) 5/5 STARS "There is really no point in mentioning a few standout tracks, because in truth, they all stand out. From the rythmn section, to the guitar leads, to the lyrics, to George Call's singing, Aska has transformed themselves from weekend warriors, into a band poised to take their place among the genre's elite." -Greg Hasbrouck, AMAZON.COM (USA) "A must for any metal enthusiast. Like the glory days of Iron Maiden & Judas Priest. True metal, state-of-the-art production." -CD BABY (USA) "This is outstanding! THIS WHOLE ALBUM F**KING RULES!!!!! My jaw was on the floor for the entire album." -Kit Ekman, (THE KOFFIN writer) (USA) "Just threw (this) in the Dream Disc Death Deck this morning and got my face ripped off! It's totally killer!" -Brent, DREAM DISC (USA) 4.5/5 STARS "Just *this* close to being THE perfect disc. Take vintage Iron Maiden, blend it with Ronnie James Dio, add a dash of Iced Earth, and (mix with) traditional European power metal riffs, and you're there. With this release Aska is ready to join the ranks of the metal elite. If you're a fan of ...heavy metal and ...Euro-power metal, this release is for you." -Dan Harding, HEAVY HARMONIES (USA) "Highly recommended. This CD is pure melodic metal." -Gabor Kleinbloesem, STRUTTER (Sweden) " I'm very impressed. It becomes clear that ASKA really have moved into the major-leagues of a truly first-class, pure metal band. Tons of heartfelt emotion, majestic glory, power, melody, and with those excellent vocals, this album should mark a new age in the band's career. I don't usually notice bass players, but Knight really stands out. Goes to my elite CD-pile. It will probably be the only CD that I listen to for the next week - HAIL ASKA!!!" -Tony Zangara, CMB (USA) "This is absolutely essential and in my top 5 for the entire year, it is THAT good. My obsessive listening to the new ASKA CD has left other recent arrivals getting short shrift on their listening time. Yes, this album is as good as it gets. One of the very best, to me, of the entire year, and is perhaps the best of them all...Amazing! Hail!" -Craig Wisnom, (ASCENDANT STRAINS editor/writer) (USA) 'BEST OF' AWARDS. "Going places: ASKA with (their) new ...CD." -Linda Hollar, HARDER BEAT (USA) "Once I gave it that third spin or so, I too was hooked for good. Stellar songwriting on this album. One of the best...by far!" -Jon Kollnot, (KOLLNOT MUSIC editor/writer) (USA) "ASKA has come into their own... They have proven themselves to be a true Metal band to be reckoned with. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the variety of "Nine Tongues", it was a great project, but (this) is just on another level. You have this overwhelming need to listen to the entire CD or you'll miss something. Crank this up and you'll realize ASKA is on the fringe of greatness." -Torch, ROCK AND A HARD PLACE (USA) 9/10 POINTS "Aska outdid themselves again. ...a must have." -Steve Arend, COFFINZ (USA) "This is a killer slab of power metal. In fact, I hear a lot of Manowar and Virgin Steele on this album! No metal fan should do without it! I have already praised this, but I JUST CAN'T STOP!!!! This disc is killer. Get off your a** and BUY this!" -John Clarke, (ARTIFACT writer) (USA/Singapore) "A solid, raw, and most significantly, epic album. Riff-oriented, Power Metal compositions, which are spiced up with one of the best singers around and a solid rhythm section. ...one of those buy-or-die albums and it definitely deserves a place in every Power Metal CD collection." -Chris "The Lord" Condos, SWEET SUFFERING (Greece/UK) " ...one of the best, if not the best CD of the year...!!!" -Dimitris Starakis, TEMPLES OF ETERNITY (Greece) "Holy Avenger, Batman! All those trips to Europe have apparently influenced this release-- it's top notch power-Brit metal with a Texas twist. Great vocals, heavy riffs and leather-clad lyrics. This band has matured and they show it on this slab." -Jeff Dennis, HARDER BEAT (USA) "...rocking power metal with a Dio vocal and musical vibe..." -Darren McWilliams, MORE THAN MUSIC (USA) "(Combines) the melodic proficiency and twin guitar harmonies of Maiden, leather and studs passion of Priest, and (the) power and might of Manowar." -Vinnie Apicella, COLUMBIA DAILY SPECTATOR (USA) "...one of the coolest metal albums ever." -Torsten Lang, VALPURGISNIGHT (Germany) Excerpt from a review of Australian Band "Pegazus" : "Pegazus are to Australia what Aska are to America and Hammerfall are to Europe." -Troy Harris, ELECTRICBASEMENT.COM "Combining the best of British power metal in the NWOBHM style along with some U.S. power metal touches. ...ASKA sound like Jag Panzer and Queensryche mixed with Iron Maiden and Saxon. What do those four bands have in common? Dual guitar attacks and distinctive vocalists. It's tough to find albums that even pay an iota's worth of thought in the lyrics and there is no skimping on the lyrics... the vocals are clean and anthem-like... ASKA hail from Dallas...the last place I'd imagine hearing well-crafted American power metal." -Christopher J. Kelter, ROUGH EDGE (USA) "Heavy, tight, and outstanding...100% pure heavy metal. ...awesome! Everything, right down to the cover art, is top rate." -Scott Waters, NO LIFE 'TIL METAL (USA) "Will appeal to fans of Virgin Steele, Iced Earth and Manowar. ...loaded with heavy traditional drumming, tight, persistent rhythms, and classic soloing. ...it's time for Century Media, Noise, or Nuclear Blast to pick them up and expose them to the masses." -Dirt, METAL DREAMS (USA) 8/10 POINTS -Ronnie James Daddo, METAL MANIACS (Italy) "A fantastic album that needs to grace your collection." - NIGHTMARE RECORDS (USA) 9/10 POINTS -Sandro Buti, METAL.IT/EUTK (Italy) "...features the band at the top of its career, with fantastic songwriting, a wonderful singer and an excellent production. Be prepared for the REAL METAL ATTACK from (the) USA!" -Prog-Nose (Belgium) 88/100 POINTS -The Scrounger, CD SNIPER (USA) 9/10 POINTS "Galloping heavy/power metal in best Iron Maiden / Steel Prophet vein. ...great songs and vocals." -Blade of Darkne, NONAME (Russia) 4/5 POINTS - Dead Ripper, METALKINGS (Russia) 4/4 STARS - Neon Blonde, FTWORTHMUSIC.com (USA) "...Fantastic... Metal with class, you can't go wrong with this album." - Officer Nice, METAL TO INFINITY (Belgium) 4/5 POINTS - Kit, METAL CD RATINGS (USA)