The German pack FROM ASHES REBORN returns with the album “Chasing Utopia”, which goes straight to the essence of melodic death metal – sharp riffs, a powerful atmosphere, and melodies that cut deep and linger under the skin. No compromises, no calculations. The band follows its own path outside the mainstream, without a label and without unnecessary crutches, but with complete control over every detail of their work. We talked with drummer Thomas Böxler about the new album, their approach to music, inspirations, and operating within the underground scene. He reveals the behind-the-scenes of their creative process and the perspective of a band that builds its place honestly, without bending its back.
Thomas, greetings to you. After eight years you released your second album “Chasing Utopia”. What was the reason for such a long break?
Thanks a lot, glad to be here. The long gap wasn’t really planned – it was more a combination of real life and our approach to music. We all have jobs, families and responsibilities, so the band has always been something we do out of passion, not pressure. At the same time, we never wanted to rush anything. We prefer to take the time it needs until the material really feels right.
How long were you preparing the material for the album? I have to say that as a fan of melodic death metal I really enjoy the new songs. Is there a particular aspect of your songwriting that you especially focused on for this new record?
We started collecting ideas quite early, but the intensive work on the album probably began around 2022. One major focus was on structure and dynamics. We wanted the songs to feel more like journeys, with clear tension arcs instead of just riff after riff. At the same time, we paid a lot of attention to melodies – making sure they are memorable, but still fit naturally into the heavier parts. It took a long time to record everything this time but we wantoed it to be rather good than fast.
The album is incredibly energetic, intense, and at the same time very melodic. How difficult was it for you to combine all these elements together? I must say this is something that has always been achieved mainly by the icons of the genre… 😊
It’s definitely a challenge, but also the core of what melodic death metal is about. For us, it’s not about forcing melody into heavy music or vice versa. It’s more about balance. If everything is aggressive all the time, it loses impact. The same goes for melody. The key is contrast – letting parts breathe, building tension and then releasing it. That’s something we worked on a lot with this album.
Can you now describe the approach you took when finalizing the sound? Every listener has slightly different ears, of course, but to me the sound quality in combination with your music feels absolutely impressive.
This was the first album we completely recorded, produced and mixed ourselves, so we had full control over the sound. That also meant a lot of trial and error. That was challenging, but also very rewarding. We spent a lot of time refining details and making sure everything sits well in the mix. Our goal wasn’t to sound overly polished, but rather clear and powerful, so that every element has its place without losing the overall intensity.
Thomas, do you personally prefer listening to music on high-end stereo equipment or top-quality headphones? Is this factor important to you when you listen to music?
It really depends on the moment. Headphones are great when you want to focus and catch details. But a good stereo system just hits differently – especially with heavier music. For us, the important thing is that a mix works everywhere. Not just on expensive gear, but also in the car or on simple headphones.
The cover artwork and the lyrics are not particularly optimistic. Does this relate purely to your artistic view of the world, or is it also a direct reflection of your personalities?
It’s not about trying to be dark for the sake of it. It’s more about being honest. The themes on the album come from looking at the world and also at ourselves – how people think, how perspectives clash, how difficult it sometimes is to find clarity. That naturally leads to more serious or even darker tones. But it’s not meant to be hopeless – it’s more about questioning things. Lyrically, I would say there is also an element of hope and the conviction, that it´s worth to fight for utopia.
What formats has “Chasing Utopia” been released on? For example, is the CD available only directly from you?
We released it digitally on all platforms and also as a CD. The physical version is mostly handled directly by us. That’s something we actually like, because it keeps things close and personal. You know who you’re reaching, and people who buy it usually really care about the music.
Your music is inspired by the Scandinavian wave of melodic death metal. Do you remember which record influenced you the most in this regard? Do you still follow this music scene nowadays?
There isn’t that one record. It’s more a mix of everything we’ve listened to over the years – classic Scandinavian stuff, but also newer bands and even influences outside melodic death metal. We still follow the scene quite closely. There’s always something interesting happening if you take the time to look beyond the obvious names.
I was surprised that neither of your albums was released under any label. Did no record label show interest, or did you decide to release the records independently?
It was a very conscious decision. We didn’t want to give up control over something we spent so much time on. Doing everything ourselves means more work, but also complete freedom – musically and visually. That was more important to us than having a label involved at this stage.
Could you describe, especially for Czech readers, what position FROM ASHES REBORN hold on the German metal scene? How difficult is it for you to get booked at a more prestigious festival?
We see ourselves very much as part of the underground. We’re not a touring band and we don’t actively push for visibility in the traditional sense. Our focus is on the music itself. That naturally limits exposure, but at the same time it gives us freedom.
Are there still enough magazines or webzines in Germany that cover new bands? Are these media still needed in the age of social networks?
Definitely. Social media moves fast, but it’s often very surface-level. A good review or interview shows that someone actually took the time to listen and understand what you’re doing. That still means a lot, especially for bands that put a lot of detail into their music.
The city of Wittlich, where you come from, lies close to the Benelux countries and France. Is this an advantage for FROM ASHES REBORN? Is it easier for you to play shows in those countries, for example?
In theory, yes. In practice, it doesn’t play a huge role for us at the moment, since we are mainly a studio project and not actively playing shows. But geographically, it would definitely be an advantage if we decided to go in that direction in the future. However, there are great venues in i.e. Luxemburg, which makes it very convenient to see all the huge tours live.
Could you introduce your hometown a bit? What makes it attractive and interesting, for example? You can also mention some downsides of your region if you like.
Wittlich is a relatively small town in western Germany. It’s quiet, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. On one hand, you don’t have a huge music scene locally. On the other hand, it gives you space to focus and work creatively without distractions. It’s a good place to build something from the ground up.
What hobbies do the members of FROM ASHES REBORN have besides music? Is there anything particularly interesting that could be mentioned?
Like most people, we have a mix of different interests – sports, movies, gaming, spending time with family and friends. Nothing too unusual, but it’s important to have a balance.
What are your plans for the coming months? What can your listeners look forward to?
Right now, the focus is on promoting the album and making it reach as many listeners as possible. We have not yet started any work for a new album, but who knows when inspiration kicks-in again. 😊
Is it realistic that you might perform in the Czech Republic someday? Have you ever visited any of our festivals?
Never say never. At the moment, there are no plans for live shows, but we would never completely rule it out. The Czech metal scene has a great reputation, so if things ever change on our side, it would definitely be an interesting place to play.
Thank you very much for the interview, and I look forward to speaking with you again sometime in the future.
Thanks a lot for the interview and for taking the time to listen to the album. We really appreciate the support. It means a lot, especially as an independent band.
ALL