Adorned in Ash

<div style="text-align: justify;"> Adorned in Ash (AiA) is a female fronted South African Metal band from Pretoria, South Africa, formed in 2008. AiA is active in the live metal scene in Southern Africa and released their debut album, 'The Dead Walk Among Us' on 1 February 2014. </div>
History
Formation and background (2008-2009)
<div style="text-align: justify;"> Adorned in Ash was formed by drummer Mark Ivey and vocalist Marius Visagie in October 2008 with the aim to deliver a Metal band at the extremes of various subgenres of metal including (but not limited to) Death Metal, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Thrash Metal, Tech Metal and Progressive Death Metal. All members of the band are Christian and all lyric themes are based on life experiences of band members and current affairs regarding faith and deliver this message in a manner as to appeal to fellow metalheads. The original lineup consisted of Mark Ivey and Marius Visagie who approached guitarist Christo Visser to be guitarist for AiA in October 2008. In March 2009 Gideon Jones was recruited as second guitarist, followed by Shane Minne on Bass in September 2009. </div>
The death of Christo Visser (b. 20 February 1990, d. 5 October 2009) and member changes (2009-2012)
<div style="text-align: justify;"> After having been a full band for one week Christo Visser was tragically killed in a freak motorcycle accident at the age of 19. After a period of two months wherein it was uncertain whether the band would continue after his death, the band decided to continue and recruited Robyn Ferguson to fill the position of second guitarist (December 2009). In February of 2010 the band had their first live performance and in June 2010 bassist Shane Minne left the band and was replaced by Ryhno von Hagen, whose first performance with the band was to open for Becoming the Archetype at a performance during their South African tour. In January 2011 guitarist Gideon left the band and was replaced by guitarist Jacques du Toit in March 2011. During April of 2011 vocalist Marius left the band due to personal commitments. After unsuccessful attempts to find a worthy replacement to Marius' vocal style, guitarist Robyn Ferguson stepped in to do vocal duties. She was appointed guitarist and lead vocalist in April 2011. In March 2012 both guitarist Jacques du Toit and bassist Rhyno von Hagen left the band due to personal and work commitments, reducing the band to only Mark Ivey and Robyn Ferguson. In May 2012 bassist Marinus Terblanche joined the band, followed by guitarist Leon van Rensburg one week later to form the current lineup. </div>
Vocals
<div style="text-align: justify;"> Robyn Ferguson mainly uses The Zen Of Screaming as her vocal training. This is a series of instructional DVD's and online-tuition by Melissa Cross aimed at "unclean" vocal techniques such as growled or screamed vocals found in certain metal subgenres. Robyn also spends a lot of time experimenting and pushing her vocal range, technique and style to get variations of tone, pitch and sustain in the music, ranging from unique death to black metal vocals. Robyn is often asked about her vocal abilities and is very willing to share her technique. She is a strong believer in using the correct technique and working hard at her craft. </div>
Corpse Paint
<div style="text-align: justify;"> Adorned in Ash is known for their use of corpse paint on stage for every show. The corpse paint is a physical representation the spiritual warfare and of going into battle. Except for the 'war paint' they also blow a shofar at every show as a battle cry and a signal of victory over death. This battle and the blowing of the shofar in victory is depicted at the start of every show and has also come to be the intro as first track on the debut album "The Dead Walk Among Us". </div>
'The Dead Walk Among Us' (2011-2015)
<div style="text-align: justify;"> After four years in the making, Adorned in Ash launched their debut album 'The Dead Walk Among Us' on the 1st of February 2014 at annual Summerfest in the Klein Libertas Theater, Stellenbosch, South Africa. The album was recorded at South African guitar legend Nathan Smith's Open Track Studios in Pretoria and was received with critical acclaim. Due to the member changes the album has seen recording work done by all the members from 2010 onward, with selected parts being updated with Robyn's vocals where they were originally performed by Marius Visagie. The album was mixed and mastered by Nathan Smith, Robyn Ferguson and Adorned in Ash. Adorned in Ash's official website, www.adornedinash.com, has been active since 2013. In the period of 2011 to 2015 Adorned in Ash have been on the line up for various events in Southern Africa including being a supporting act for Becoming the Archetype in 2010, Rock Nights at the South African State Theatre in 2012 and 2013, Summerfest 2014, an international appearance at Gorofest 2014 in Maputo (Mozambique), Wolmerfest 2014, Emalyth Arts Expo 2012, 2014 and 2015 and the higly acclaimed , sharing the stage with acts such as Epica, Cannibal Corpse, Hatebreed, Decapitated, Kataklysm, Belphegor, Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Alestorm, Carnifex, Aborted, Skinned and Restock.
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Adorned in Ash in the media
Radio and television
Adorned in Ash has been active in international media since 2010 with interviews given on Total Biker FM with Angeless Tbfm WolfHunter Watkins-Gallar (England) and on Mozambican television with Goro Fast whilst visiting Maputo, Mozambique for Goro Fest.
AiA have also had multiple air plays on:
*Tuksfm 107.2 http://www.tuksfm.co.za/ (South Africa)
*Mix FM 93.8 http://www.mixfm.co.za/ (South Africa)
*Zone Radio http://www.zoneradio.co.za/ (South Africa)
*Power Praise Radio http://8ccc.com.au/power-praise/ by DJ Lindsay Mcmillan https://www.facebook.com/lindsay.mcmillan.16 (Australia)
*Total Biker FM http://www.tbfmonline.co.uk/ including an on-air interview with Robyn Ferguson - Angeless Tbfm WolfHunter Watkins-Gallar with multiple plays. (England)
AiA in other media
AiA has been featured in many publications including the following:
* The Metal Resource (Netherlands) March 2015 (Album Review) and April 2015 (Interview following Witchfest 2015)
* Encyclopaedia Metallum
* Metal 4 Africa's feature on Witchfest 2015
* 925 Rebellion Interview
* Black Apple E-zine: June 2012 p. 24, August 2012 p. 22, November/December 2012 p. 16
*Underground Press 20 November 2013
*Fanbase Magazine, issue 34 p. 38
*Brian O'Pines' (Zone Radio) Gig Review of Metal4Africa.com's SummerFest - 3 February 2014
*Brian O'Pines' (Zone Radio) On-air interview with Adorned in Ash after SummerFest 2014 - 5 February 2014
*Metal 4 Africa's featured Band Profile
*Bryn De Kocks Pictorial on Metal4Africa's SummerFest - 7 February 2014
*Adorned in Ash feature in Underground Press - 9 April 2014
*Adorned in Ash's Robyn Ferguson features in Forfeit Thee Untrue New Album featured in various print media- 9 April 2014
Award nominations and acclaim
*<div style="text-align: justify;"> Adorned in Ash were nominated for three awards in the inaugural South African Metal Music Awards held on 8 February 2014: including Best Live Act, Best Vocalist - Robyn Ferguson, and Best Black Metal Band </div>
*<div style="text-align: justify;"> Adorned in Ash were also nominated for awards in the 2015 South African Metal Music Awards including Best Death Metal Act and Best Music Video. </div>
*Adorned in Ash were lauded by metal legends Agro as being among the cream of the crop of South African Metal.
Filmography
* SA Alternative Ministries - A View At Ministering Outside The Conventional Church featuring a live performance of 'Rendered Innocuous' from AiA's album 'The Dead Walk Among Us'. This DVD video was released by SA Alternative Ministries in 2013 and was distributed worldwide.
* Broken Glass Reflection Official Music Video, produced by Art Of Breathing and Adorned in Ash, featuring Adorned in Ash and Cindy Pretorius from The Outsider Girls (TOG) (Released 30 January 2015).
Discography
Studio albums
* Dead Walk Among Us (Released 1 February 2014)
'The Dead Walk Among Us' album track listing
Compilations
* Beasts Of The South Volume 1 (Released by Supreme Hatred records in 2013)
* ' released by Sanctus Gladius Records 2014
Internet samplers / singles
* Evangelion pre-production version released by Adorned in Ash in 2011
* Broken Glass Reflection pre-production version released by Adorned in Ash in 2011
* Human Torch Final version released by Adorned in Ash in 2013
* Gloria In Excelsis Deo released by Adorned in Ash as a limited number Alliance Exclusive download in 2014
Band members
Current members
*Mark Ivey − Drums (2008-present)
*Robyn Ferguson − Guitar (2008-present) , Lead Vocals (2011-present)
*Marinus Terblanche − Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals (2012-present)
*Leon van Rensburg − Guitar, Backing Vocals (2012-present)
Former members
*Christo Visser (born 1990, died 2009) − Guitar (2008-2009)
*Shane Minne − Bass Guitar (2008-2010)
*Marius Visagie − Lead vocals (2008-2011)
*Gideon Jones − Guitar (2008-2011)
*Jacques du Toit − Guitar (2011-2012)
*Ryhno von Hagen − Bass Guitar (2010-2012)
;Touring and session members
*Bassist Shane Minne played one show for Adorned in Ash during 2012 after the departure of Ryhno von Hagen.
*Nathan Smith contributed synthesized effects to the recording of "The Dead Walk Among Us"
Timeline
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id:Guitar value:Green legend:Guitar
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id:Studio_Albums value:black legend:Studio_Albums
id:Compilations value:orange legend:Compilation_Albums


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bar:Marius text:"Marius Visagie"
bar:Christo text:"Christo Visser"
bar:Gideon text:"Gideon Jones"
bar:Shane text:"Shane Minne"
bar:Robyn text:"Robyn Ferguson"
bar:Ryhno text:"Ryhno von Hagen"
bar:Jacques text:"Jacques du Toit"
bar:Marinus text:"Marinus Terblanche"
bar:Leon text:"Leon van Rensburg"

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bar: Gideon from:03/01/2009 till:01/01/2011 color:Guitar
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bar: Robyn from:12/01/2009 till:end color:Guitar
bar: Ryhno from:06/01/2010 till:03/01/2012 color:Bass
bar: Jacques from:03/01/2011 till:03/01/2012 color:Guitar
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bar: Leon from:05/08/2012 till:end color:Guitar
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bar:Marinus from:05/01/2012 till:end color:Backing_Vocals
bar:Leon from:05/08/2012 till:end color: Backing_Vocals
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