Ascendia

There are not very many bands in Canada that play progressive Power metal and even fewer that incorporate symphonic elements. There are a few out there that try hard but they tend to ruin a good album with screaming vocals or tainted the music with ‘core’ elements. Fortunately, for my tastes there is a new band from Toronto, Ontario that writes and performs a pure strain of the kind of Metal one usually associates with Europe. The debut album THE LION AND THE JESTER is fantastic and already in heavy rotation in my Canadian selections. The young band has presented a 12 track, hour-long album that is very enjoyable and impressive for a new band.



I’m not quite sure about the album art, it looks more like a tiger and an angel to me, but I’m no artist. The production is very good for an independent product, the vocals sit nicely in the mix. Speaking of vocals, the pipes of Nick Sakal are world-class; he sings in a slightly lower register with such power and clarity, it’s impressive. His delivery of the lyrics is quite sophisticated and mature, unlike some new singers who just want to let it all hang out all the time at the early phases in their recording career. Saskal shows some restraint and recalls some of the fine work of Roy Khan.



Musically the band recalls any number of excellent bands from Angra to Pagan’s Mind to Symphony X to the aforementioned Kamelot. Strong songs, excellent and dynamic performances are found in songs that rage when necessary but have nuances as well, such as hints of acoustic guitar, acoustic piano or orchestration. Some of the keyboard work is also excellent such as on ‘Moonchild’. The band writes songs with a hint of darkness as well, I’d cite ‘Demon Eyes’ as an excellent example of this, it’s not all ‘happy’ Power Metal. The orchestration is present but not too epic or bombastic is it just used as accent and emphasis of the solid Metal songs. The pace of the album is quick as all good Metal should be, but doesn’t just get fast for the sake of fast, they use a variety of tempos as the mood dictates.



I’m really enjoying this album and I have no doubt that that Ascendia will quickly become one of Canada’s best bands in my mind. However, with so many Canadian metalheads firmly entrenched in the modern, tech-death-thrash sound, Ascendia (like Borealis and Kobra And The Lotus) may find more success overseas. That’s a shame because more Canadian Metal fans need to recognize the high-level of domestic talent we have at home, as heard on THE LION AND THE JESTER, a very early contender for Canadian album of the year. - Metal Rules

Despite what the name might lead you to think, progressive metal is among the most static and boring of all heavy music genres. Half the bands that fall under the moniker exist merely as a vehicle to show off the skills of the players involved, which is fine in small doses, but rarely sustains a creative career. The other half of the bands stick rigidly to the blueprint of one of the fore-bearers of the genre, giving us music that sounds exactly like something we've already heard. Very little of progressive metal is actually interesting, because it is a genre that lacks people dedicated to the art of songwriting. Songs are what makes any band successful, no matter how much sheer musical skill they possess. Dream Theater didn't get to where they are just because they are amazing musicians, they also wrote a slew of great songs and albums. The number of progressive metal bands who have impressed me with their songwriting in recent years is miniscule, but I mention all of this because Ascendia is one of them.

As “At The End Of It All” swells into focus with a tribal drum beat and chanted vocals, it's already obvious that this is not going to be prog-by-numbers. The song kicks into gear with a syncopated guitar riff, before the vocals soar over the top of everything, slapping a thick coat of melody atop the sound. There's a quiet section in the middle of the song that feels like a cousin of Killswitch Engage, which is a fresh sound to hear in this kind of music. When it opens back up into the chorus, the song is massive, and it's hard to believe all of that music was contained in five and a half minutes.

The songs on the album are more bite-sized than typical progressive metal, but that plays into the band's strengths as songwriters. By keeping the songs lean and tight, they hit harder than if the instrumental sections had been extended by a minute here and there. There is interesting playing going on, but it's all done within the framework of the songs, and never put out front to dominate the spotlight. It's an approach that is smart not just because of how easy it is to get bogged down in instrumental pyrotechnics, but because an album of that sort would never be able to survive the Herculean vocal presence of singer Nick Sakal.

With more than a little bit of similarity to the former singer of the aforementioned Killswitch Engage, Howard Jones, Sakal's vocals dominate the album, making you wonder where a voice like that could have come from. His baritone is warm, rich, and not at all what you would expect to hear in a band that isn't playing down-tuned hardcore.

But what is most important are the songs, and that's where Ascendia proves themselves as standouts. Whether tackling more modern fare like “Remember Me”, or more traditionally melodic songs like “Moonchild”, there's a phenomenal blend of heavy riffing and soaring melody. I can't tell you how rare it is to hear a progressive metal band that is so in tune with melody, and can write songs that could stand up if they were stripped down to the chord structure and the vocals. We get an example of that with the duet ballad, “The Song That You Deserved”, a largely piano and voice song that is as beautiful as it is heart-breaking. Ascendia's ear for songs is excellent, and that is what makes “The Lion And The Jester” such an engaging listen. Song after song, there's a warm and inviting chorus waiting to wrap its arms around you after you've heard the heavy and intricate moments.

This year has been off to a ridiculously great start, with at least half a dozen legitimately great records having already come my way. Add “The Lion And The Jester” to that list, because Ascendia is making progressive metal the way it was always supposed to be. Both challenging and gratifying, intense and cathartic, “The Lion And The Jester” is a phenomenal piece of work that reminds me of the very best progressive metal I've ever heard. This is an album you need to hear.

Oh, and how awesome is that cover art? That is one album that will look as good as it sounds in a collection. - Bloody Good Horror

“The Lion & the Jester” is the debut album from Toronto symphonic metal quintet Ascendia. Canada isn’t renowned as a hotbed for symphonic metal, but the confluence of European and American influences (both musically and geographically) gives the band a crossover appeal that should find favour both with fans of traditional and symphonic metal. But more importantly, it’ll probably still appeal to fans who can’t stand this genre of metal.

One could compare their sound to Florida’s Kamelot, but they’re no copycat. Ascendia blends in multiple influences to create their own identity within the symphonic metal genre. And it sounds ridiculously good too! The production is sharp, the playing is tight, and Nick Sakal’s vocals are spectacular. This sort of music lives and dies with its singer, but you can’t help be impressed by his voice. Instrumentally, the band is led by the brothers Luv, John (guitar) and Billy (drums), and they strike a fine balance between technical complexity and chugging riffing. The production is super clean and sharp, which allows the listener to pay attention to all the instrumental details in the music.

The album has 11 tracks (plus Starlit Eyes, their first composition, as a bonus track), and no filler. An impressive debut from a band I’m sure we’ll hear more from.

8/10 - Jean-Frederic Vachon

RATE: 88/100
トロント出身シンフォメタルバンドのデビュー作。 ジャケットを見た感じだとブラック系かと思いきや、デスヴォイスなしのシンフォだとは。 しかもゴリゴリのシンフォではなく、あくまでバンドサウンドが主体。 俺はゴリゴリ系のほうが好きなのに、なんでかこれはかなり良く聴こえる。 アップ曲からバラードまで素晴らしい。インスト曲も素晴らしい。ピアノ主体の曲もあるし。 はっきり言おう。これすげぇ好みだわ。

オススメ→全部　特にAt the End of It All、Moonchild、Last Forever、Why Angels Cry、My Last Song、The Lion and the Jester - From Dusk 'Til Dawn

Принципно не съм аз човекът, който да пише за прог банди тук, но специално настоях аз да пиша за този албум на Ascendia. Защо? Защото това далеч не е поредният прог метъл албум, който да ни главозамае от 19-минутни сола, неповторими (буквално) разчупени ритми и инструментали тип "виж какво мога". Ascendia имат модерно звучене, много мелодии и наистина, ама наистина страхотни вокали.

"At the End of It All" е първият сингъл, първата песен в албума и по всяка вероятност - първата песен на Ascendia, която ще чуете. Още от нея може да започнете да се чудите дали тази банда повече ви прилича на Queensryche, на Orphaned Land, или на Killswitch Engage - и ще сте прави да се чудите, макар да няма ориенталски мотиви, метълкор, или чист прог. Вокалите на Ник Сакай са свързващото звено с KSE - пичът има стил на пеене, доста близък до този на Хауърд Джоунс, а за Orphaned Land ми напомниха най-вече магично хубавите мелодии и клавишни. Queensryche пък ми се въртяха из главата без никаква причина, защото най-малкото не съм им фен - но явно нещо ми напомня за тях.

Красивите мелодии (вокални, китарни и клавишни) са в основата на всичко хубаво в този албум. Която и песен да хванете, все ще откриете изобилие от такива, но с една идея повече ги има в "Moonchild", "Demon Eyes", "No More Tales To Tell" в 8-минутния заглавен трак "The Lion and the Jester", както и в прекрасните балади "Last Forever" и "The Song That You Deserved". На по-чист прог разчита единствено "Faded Away", а "Starlit Eyes" пък е почти изцяло акустичен трак, който обаче изглежда леко ненужен след идеалния за финал заглавен епос.

Най-общо казано, това е албум, който хем може да се хареса на редовите прог-фенове, хем и на тези, които по принцип смятат този стил за "скучна елитарска музика". Трудно ми е да изброя всички групи, на които ми напомня музиката на Ascendia, а още по-трудно ми е и да обясня защо ми напомня точно на тях, затова ако видите нещо в графата "IYL" и без да искам ви "подлъжа" - не се сърдете. Най-добре чуйте парчетата, към които съм оставил линкове и сами преценете дали това е музиката за вас ;-)

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Добре структурирани композиции с много завладяващи мелодии (вокални, китарни и клавишни).
Ник Сакай показва вокални данни на високо световно ниво.
Дори баладите са много хубави, а аз рядко харесвам такива - голям плюс.

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Много прилики с много банди.
Доста парчета са по-дълги от необходимото и това натежава... нищо, че е прогресив.
Леко ненужен затварящ трак.

IF YOU LIKE
Threshold, Orphaned Land, Queensryche, Killswitch Engage, Dream Theater и др. - Today's Metal Bulgaria

Ascendia are a four piece group, two of which being brothers who have played together since their teens. Which is probably why the music seems to have a tight, mature sound for a début. The music is a blend of American and European Symphonic metal with inspiration drawn from the bands of the 70's and 80's, the resulting sound is not what I expect from a Canadian band but I am sure that it will end up being appealing to many metal fans.

The first thought on hearing the vocals is that somewhere along the way there is an Arabian influence like you hear on movies, but then it goes into a power metal type sound with vocals to match. The vocals on this release show variety which adds to the attraction of this band. The guitar work is pretty damn good, with some of the sounds making me wonder just how they did it. It truly stands out. The Scandinavian type symphonic sound creeps into the music but is not as over bearing as some other bands, although it is more evident on some tracks than others. Each of the songs comes into its own with a slightly different sound giving each track its own individual appeal. There are no what I call fillers on this album. The tracks are arranged in such a way that they run nicely into each other. The production on this release has not been overly done, which appears to add the whole atmosphere of the music.

The Lion and the Jester is the bands debut release with the quality suggesting that it was recorded by a band that have had a number of previous releases. Would I recommend this album, yes definitely.

8.5/10
Ashley - Extreme Metal Television

Toronto-based symphonic/progressive metal band, Ascendia, has a good thing going. Formed in 2012, the young outfit are only just scratching the surface with their proggy, power metal flavor. Inspired by ’70s/’80s metal pioneers such as Dio and Rainbow as well as modern symphonic power metal bands such as Kamelot, Symphony X and Nightwish, Ascendia weaves its influences into a decent concoction on its debut release, The Lion And The Jester. Consisting of 12 tracks, The Lion And The Jester pulsates with a magnetic flow, decorated with a pristine production throughout its 58 minute duration.

Comprised of brothers John Lov (guitars/vocals) and Billy Lov (drums), Nick Sakal (vocals), John Abanador (bass) and Maestro (keyboards), the quintet’s musicianship is top-notch. Sakal, who often takes on the persona of Roy Kahn, shines brilliantly on each track. With engaging song structures, uplifting melodies and charismatic vocal harmonies, Ascendia sound so much like a seasoned band. CD-opener “At The End Of It All” explodes with an industrialized tribal percussion pattern, decorated with pulsating keyboard melodies and soaring choral vocal harmonies that immediately welcome you with open arms. One of the many Kamelot similarities surfaces on “Remember Me”. The unforgettable melody of “Moonchild” will be etched in your brain for days, while the infectious vocal harmonies of “No More Tales To Tell” takes on a Queensrÿche-like storytelling vibe. The band’s previously recorded acoustic ballad “Starlit Eyes”, which remains a fan favorite, is included here as a bonus track. Some tracks are a little long-winded, but a good prog song usually is. For an independent release, The Lion And The Jester is a great, professional-sounding debut release. - Bravewords

Ascendia is a new metal band that comes from Toronto, Canada. I came upon the band when I first watched the video for the lead track “At the End of It All”. I immediately realized that this is a talented band which I should pay attention to. Thankfully, they didn’t prove me wrong at all, as the band’s debut album “The Lion and the Jester” puts them into the heavy/power metal scene of both the US and Europe for good.

The band’s music is heavy/power but it is vastly embellished with symphonic, atmospheric and melodic elements. The singer Nick Sakal has a “tenor” touch on his voice, thing which gives the band a “diverse music approach” compared to the usual bands of the specific genre that typically choose high-pitched vocalists. Other than that, the guys do play with passion and devotion. All the performances are wonderful and the production is very powerful too. It was done by Stephen James Kerr and the band itself.

Ascendia has taken the first step in the music business and it is quite successful in every part. You do not get to hear such tight and cohesive debuts today when a new album comes every hour or so. These guys have taken care of all those details which can help a band stand out in general or get them buried in the plethora of everyday releases, if not taken care of at all. They have the strength and the musical abilities to take it all the way and they can make it if they play their cards right from now on. Closing I have to say that “At the End of It All” is among the top heavy/power metal tracks of 2015… - Grande Rock

Ascendia released The Lion and the Jester on Feburary 24, 2015. They really have their own unique sound, it's powerful, symphonic and most importantly, it's metal! With The Lion and the Jester, Ascendia has made one of the first real arena albums that I've heard in a long time. Meaning, the album is so amazing and powerful that I feel they could fill arenas with fans and hold everyone's attention based on sound alone. I love this album!

With all of the instruments completely in focus and workng together, yet standing out in their own ways, The Lion and the Jester is perfectly crafted. Everything from the standout vocals and guitars in Remember Me to the orchestral elements in the title track, The Lion and the Jester is carefully thought out and put together.

This is honestly one of the best albums I've heard in a long time. I would compare the feeling of their music to bands like Dragonforce and Within Temptation, but a bit more in balance than most. I can see myself relaxing with this album any day and I would love to see Ascendia on tour! - Metal Head Blog

Ascendia: The Lion And The Jester (Self Released)

I hadn't heard much about Canadians Ascendia but Jesus Christ on a stick I wish I lived in Canada so I could see this band live. They play modern progressive power metal of the highest quality, with an album that blends modern thrash, with keyboard driven prog metal, a sprinkling of djent on At The End Of It All all topped by the phenomenal vocals of Nick Sakal who is part Russell Allen, part Howard Jones part Matt Barlow all wrapped up in one man, with his dulcet booming vocals fitting the stirring musical backing that is heavy and dramatic in equal effect. Remember Me is modern metal at it's finest harking to Killswitch Engage with it's metalcore rhythm underscored by the keys and orchestrations of Maestro who is key to the bands sound adding the cinematic and classical elements that imbue the bands sound with a proffessional feel, see No More Tales To Tell as the perfect example to this merging a film score, with a fist pumping power metal track.

That's not the say the rest of the band are slouches the guitars of Jon Lov drive the riffage like Adam D but he also solos like Michael Romeo burning up the fret board with his fleet fingered guitar playing on Moonchild (not a Maiden cover) as well as every other song on the album. All this lead melody is backed by John Abanador's technical bass playing and the furious and dynamic equally adept to the faster tracks such as My Last Song but also the dramatic ballads Last Forever and The Song That You Deserved. The songs on this album are fantastic, fans of the power/prog genre will lap up, the title track has pathos, power and indeed is the most progressive track, Faded Away has the same emotional gravitas as an Evergrey track and the album ends with the acoustic bonus track Starlit Eyes. This is a fantastic debut by the Canadians who have knack for this kind of music, find the album an let it blow you away! 10/10 - Musipedia of Metal

Website content is protected from copying and pasting. Visit the link here: http://devilsgatemedia.com/ascendia-the-lion-and-the-jester-review/ - Devils Gate Media

Hey Billy… first of all, do give us a brief bio of Ascendia.

B: Ascendia is a Canadian metal band that was born sometime in 2009. We were originally called “Our Covenant” but switched the name just before the release of our debut album “The Lion and the Jester” on February 24th 2015. All the members of the band actually went to the same elementary school, but it wasn’t until high school that we realized we wanted to be a band. We all listen to many genres of music and all subgenres of metal.


At first, you focused on your live shows more. Was it more crucial for the band than writing your own material?

B: Playing live in the beginning was a crucial part of our development as a band, and as individual musicians. We would only play covers which really ingrained our influences into our playing. We had the chance to play with all sorts of bands which really helped us realize what it took to be an excellent band. It also allowed us to hone in and master our skills which in turn allowed us to write an album of a much higher caliber.


What was that thing/incident which made you reconsider things and deal with music more seriously than before?

B: In the beginning it was just a general love for music that brought us together. We were playing high school shows and only doing sets of covers. We started playing some battle of the bands and won a whole bunch of them. We decided it was time to write some original music, and started writing really good tunes and thought why not become an actual band. And here we are!


By the way, how did you come up with the band’s name Ascendia?

B: Every one in the band was brainstorming names. We came up with many sub par, generic names before we chose Ascendia. We were actually at the movie theatres when I (Billy Lov) just randomly thought of Ascendia. Honestly I think we were watching Godzilla ha ha!


Which were the bands and the music genres that urged you to form Ascendia in the first place? You must have been listening to heavy/power, melodic and symphonic music for many years, right?

B: Lots of really incredible bands like Nightwish, Kamelot, Sonata Arctica, Firewind, Symphony X, In Flames, and early monsters like Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Scorpions, Whitesnake, Boston, etc. We have listened to classic rock since we were like 4 years old, and by the age of 9 we were completely engulfed in melodic symphonic metal.


How would you describe Ascendia’s music to someone that hasn’t heard of you before?

B: Classy, elegant, but edgy. We are a product of what happens when European and North American metal collides. Pretty much contained chaos. We worked very hard to find a perfect threshold between heaviness and beauty, traditional instrumentation and classical symphonic, melody and maturity.


What is the thing you wanted to present with your debut initially? You know the first impression is always a barometer for any band, right?

B: We wanted people to be completely taken aback. We wanted them to think “where the hell did this band come from”. We never wanted to write and album that made people think that it was not bad for a first release. We wanted to create and album that made people around the world know that there are some serious metal bands in Canada.


Thus, what does the album title “The Lion and the Jester” declare? How is the cover art related to the album title?

B: “The Lion and the Jester” is a metaphor for extremism. It can relate to all forms of extremism but we focused in on religious extremism. The lion is a very proud creature and represents aggression, pride, and the willingness to fight for what it believes in. Jesters were the comical entertainment back in the medieval times, they didn’t have the most educated jobs. The jester represents laughter, jokes, and ignorance. Together they make an extremist. Someone who is so fierce and proud of what they believe in, but also so ignorant. From the outer eye extremists look almost laughable. The thing is, neither the lion nor the jester believe that the opposite party is a part of them. The lion and the jester strongly disagree. We want to just lay it on the table here that we are not a religious band, religion is just one of the many topics we explore in our writing. Lots of people look at the album art and think it’s just a lion mauling an angel, and what does that have to do with “The Lion and the Jester”? Well the album art covers themes across the whole album as well as the album title. The angel is beautiful and one of the most widely acknowledged religious symbols. The lion is a creature that is “created by God”. The album art is a metaphor that says religion is beautiful (no matter what religion you believe in) but things “created by God” such as humans, are destroying it with acts like religious warfare. You will also notice the angel is crying and holding a dream catcher. The tear drop relates to the song “Why Angels Cry” and the dreamcatcher represents a crucial part of a four song story that includes “Moonchild”, “Last Forever”, “My Last Song”, and “Faded Away”.


Please tell us a few things about each track…

“At the End of It All”: Hard hitting tune with lots of great melodies, that has a very original sound.

“Remember Me”: The most vocal intensive track on the album which includes choirs, and coral vocal dubbing.

“Moonchild”: Most progressive song on the album that includes wicked synths and catchy melodies.

“Demon Eyes”: One of the heaviest tracks on the album, a bit more straight forward in nature, but smashes you...

“Last Forever”: A beautiful ballad that shows you a very different side of us...

“No More Tales to Tell”: The hidden gem of the album, we feel it will get overlooked at first but after a couple listens it may be your favourite.

“Why Angels Cry”: A prelude that sets the emotion for “Faded Away”…

“Faded Away”: A song that blends in many influences to paint you a melodic picture...

“My Last Song”: A very subtle song that take you through a ride of beauty and calamity…

“The Song That You Deserved”: A haunting duet that draws emotion and reveals a very vulnerable side of the album.

“The Lion and the Jester”: The album masterpiece. It was the most ambitious song on the album. It shows tons of creative exploration and reveals a very powerful message.

“Starlit Eyes (Bonus Track)”: The first song we ever wrote. It has an obvious rock feel that makes it special and different from the rest of the album.


How did the cooperation with producer Stephen James Kerr occur? Did you give directions about the final sound? What do you think of the production now?

B: We entered a couple battle of the bands competitions, ended up winning them, and were then rewarded with studio time at Epik Productions. This is where we met the beast they call Stephen James Kerr. Epik ended up closing down half way through the album but Steve immediately found solutions for us and enabled us to finish the album. We gave Steve a bit of direction of how we wanted the production to go but the main thing we told him was that we didn’t want to sound like anyone, we just wanted to sound amazing. We wanted the mixes to reflect the feel of the individual songs, and the album as a whole, and he nailed it. We love everything about the album otherwise we would have never released it. Steve is a very talented guy and has definitely secured the spot as producer on album 2!


Did you try to release the album through some label at any point or you had decided to do it yourselves from the start?

B: We decided to do it all by ourselves from the start. We honestly didn’t even think about going to a record label. Playing our style of metal in Canada is kind of like selling popsicles in the arctic, so we thought lets just kill this thing by ourselves and see what happens in the future.


Do you regret going alone on today’s enormous music market or is it better that way and you have more freedom in doing things?

B: We definitely don’t regret doing anything alone but at the same time it could have been helpful. The way it works for us is that we’re not pro label, or pro indie, we just want to do what makes the most business sense at the time. We are very open minded and would be more than happy to sign to a good label in the future, if it makes sense of course.


When I first listen to the track “At the End of It All”, it was Nick’s voice that impressed me as well. You see he’s not your average heavy/power metal vocalist with the high-pitched vocals. He has a more powerful “tenor-like” voice that adds another plus on Ascendia’s music on the whole. What do you think?

B: I think that If Ascendia went to a shop to create our ideal singer, we would have created Nick. He’s got incredible power, gritty rasp, gorgeous cleans, and a super unique sound. His lower tenor style is perfect for the style of music we write and it sets us apart from many clean vocal metal bands. He’s such a raw natural talent that only gets better. We write our tunes specifically to his strengths and he kills it.


Do you plan to release any other video in the next months? If yes, for which track?

B: We are actually releasing one more music video produced by Garret Henry (GGH Motion Pictures) for the song “The Lion and the Jester”. Since the song is roughly eight minutes we made this video almost like a short film. It’s a video that shows how beautiful all religions can be and how humans stain it with acts such as war. It states that war over religion is wrong and does not result in any winners, just immense amounts of loss. We are actually going to be doing an initiative to support the Canadian Red Cross International Fund. Basically we’re starting a campaign to raise money for victims of war caused by things like religion. We will be donating a percentage of all band generated revenues from album sales and merchandise to the International Red Cross.

Ascendia band pic
How about any live shows or even a tour?

B: Right now we have a bunch of local Toronto shows planned out in April and May such as Wacken Battle, an opening show for Haken, a show for 94.9 fm rock generation etc. We are currently looking for a spot on tour but nothing is set in stone yet.


What are the band’s further plans now that your first step has been taken?

B: We want to take baby steps and accomplish as much as we can in practical strides. We don’t know where this ride will take us, but we just hope to write valuable timeless music that touches people the way our favourite bands touch us.


Time for our weird questions!!! Name your 3 favorite metal bands of all time…

B: This is an impossible question because we have about 3 million favourites. But 3 bands we all love are Nightwish, Kamelot, and Karnivool…


How do you see the “free downloading issue” of our time? In a world where people easily download music for free and hardly pay for it what can we do in order to change things? Is it different now that you can see things on the inside?

B: We were all born in the technology era so we knew exactly what was to come. We are not mad at the people who download our music because lots of the time they would have never purchased it in the first place, also it’s so practical and free, it makes so much sense to download music. I think we’re a little more upset at governing bodies that aren’t protecting artists from the people making our music available for the stealing. But this is the way it is now, we can’t complain, we have to adapt. I think the future of music is going to be collecting royalties off steaming. Platforms like Spotify already do this but I think that musicians will receive higher royalty percentages and streaming will be the answer to help detour the downloading problem. John, Nick and I purchase all our albums and have stuffed CD booklets, we always figured if you like the music why wouldn’t you buy it? We want our favourite bands to have enough money to make a follow up album so we purchase CDs and merchandise like mental. We always had an idea of how bad it would feel for people to take our album, but until it happens to you it’s hard to understand the feeling.


Do you think that funding platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo etc. can give any kind of solution to the “legal downloading” matter? Can bands/artists only be supported by their fans in order to make music?

B: I don’t necessarily think that these platforms are the answer but they definitely do help. Like I stated earlier I think the future of bands generating revenue will potentially be in streaming services. In saying that, bands have done very well from crowd funded resources such as Indiegogo. A perfect example is the very amazing Canadian band Protest The Hero. They funded their most recent album “Volition” purely from fan donations. Some genres have more loyal followers than others. Luckily for us metal is a very tight knit community that sticks together, which gives hope for crowd funded platforms.


Sex, drugs & rock & roll! Do they have any influence on today’s new bands or things are totally different? What should the rock music motto be? Views, tweets & Likes?!!

B: We are definitely not in the music industry for the whole party life style. We truly just want to make a living doing the thing we love and the thing people appreciate us for. I can’t speak for super successful bands but independent artists for the most part can’t afford the partying life style. I think if there was a realistic motto it would be virgins, crumbs, and Rock n Roll ha ha!


Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?

B: Not bad yourself?


What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?

B: Win!


Which character from “Game of Thrones” would you have been – if you lived in the Seven Kingdoms? The other guys from the band?

B: Surprisingly only Nick watches Game of Thrones and he said his favourite is Tyrion Lannister. But if there is a big savage with a huge beard and an axe that crushes people, I think the rest of us would all be him.


Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that’s more likely to send you straight to Hell, in the afterlife?

B: Probably sloth, because we all really love sloths!


Imagine that your wife/girlfriend is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?

B: If it was the ring forged in Mordor I think we would all be pretty pumped. If not then I think I would put her in a room with subwoofers and give her the brown note.


Finally, we have come to an end guys. Thx for talking to Grande Rock! Stay metal! Any last words? Wish you the best for the future to come…

B: Special thanks to Grande Rock and every one reading this interview! We love you all and hope you check out our stuff! - Grande-Rock

Toronto-based symphonic/progressive metal band, Ascendia, plays from the heart on its debut release, The Lion And The Jester. Formed in 2012, the young Canadian outfit has a diverse palette with influences greatly inspired by modern prog metal bands such as Kamelot and Symphony X. Kelley Simms of BraveWords had the chance to chat with drummer Billy Lov about the new album, the band’s influences and what it’s like being in a band with his brother.

BraveWords: Ascendia possess a great mix of sounds. How did all your influences come together?

Billy Lov: “We have many influences from an array of different genres that played a huge role in the creation of The Lion And The Jester. Our main goal was to create an album with balance. Since we have a very wide scope of influences, our pallets are diverse, which gave us a lot of freedom in the creative process. At times it was challenging to incorporate all our influences into the mix with our own pioneered sound, but we made it happen and it essentially led to the blended sound that is Ascendia.”

BraveWords: A lot of the album reminds me of Kamelot or Symphony X. Were they an influence on the band?

Billy Lov: “I guess it’s quite obvious that we love them. We have listened to both bands for as long as I can remember. They were both large influences for The Lion And The Jester. That being said, we’ve always had a strong focus on creating a unique original sound.”

BraveWords: Your first composition was the acoustic ballad, “Starlit Eyes,” and it’s included as a bonus track on The Lion And The Jester. Was that an afterthought, or did it make sense to include it on the full-length?

Billy Lov: “It was up for a bit of debate in the very beginning, but we ultimately decided to keep it as a bonus track on the record. All of us in the band listen to many genres of music, not just metal, so we wanted to pay tribute to our versatile musical tastes. “Starlit Eyes” has more of a Rock ’n’ Roll vibe to it than the other tracks, which makes it special and a bit of an ear change.”



BraveWords: How many years was The Lion And The Jester in the making?

Billy Lov: “This album technically has been around three years in the making. As a musician or any artist for that matter, nothing is ever good enough. We were writing ideas, then rewriting those ideas, then scrapping parts we didn’t like and nurturing ideas we did like. Creating an album is not just writing twelve songs and slapping them together, there’s so much more to it than that. It was no longer about writing great parts on your instrument; it was about creating a great song. Over the process of the album we really learned how to write with each other, and although it may seem cliché, the biggest thing we learned was less can be so much more.”

BraveWords: With the band’s progressive/power metal sound, and even the incorporation of symphonic elements, it kind of sets you apart from other bands in the Canadian scene, especially from the death metal scene that is huge in Quebec.

Billy Lov: “We are well aware of the great bands we have here in Canada, and the numerous amounts of sub-genres. We all love listening to crazy heavy bands, but I don’t think as musicians we've ever wanted to write in that style. Although screaming is an art that we all thoroughly love, clean vocals has always seemed to appeal to us more. We honestly love the fact that we’re different and although it poses hardship and troubles at times, we truly believe it sets us apart from other bands around here.”

BraveWords: The album has a great production created by Stephen James Kerr and yourselves. What type of sound were you going for and did it turn out how you hoped it would?

Billy Lov: “First off, we would like to say that there is no person we would have rather had for the job than Stephen James Kerr. We told him that we wanted the mix to sound modern, but subtle in its production (not over produced). We also gave him the freedom to create a mix that complimented the songs; basically bring them to life. In the end, he did an amazing job and surpassed all of our expectations. The best analogy I can give you is that we presented him a well-built statue and he was the one who dipped it in gold. The sound came out exactly like all of us wanted to; otherwise we would have never released the album.”

BraveWords: As a drummer myself, I love the intro tribal drum rudiment on “At The End Of It All.” How’d you come up with that beat?

Billy Lov: “We were trying to create a section that was not commonly heard in western society. We had this very Arabic vocal line that needed something more intricate than just a standard rock beat. The tom pattern came naturally when we first began experimenting with it and jamming it out. We also wanted to build up to the section where the whole band kicks in. That “drop” needed to smash you in the face, and besides the band kicking in, a huge part of what made it so big was going from a very clustered tribal tom pattern to an open lock up beat with lots of air and breath between it.”

BraveWords: You and your brother John have been performing together since your early teens. How do you guys get along as brothers and as band mates?
Billy Lov: “John and I are so close and always have been. He’s my best friend and my partner in everything I do. We know so much about each other it’s ridiculous, which is what allows us to collaborate so well together. He knows my strengths and weaknesses and I know his, and since we’re brothers we are brutally honest with each other. We are not afraid to crush each other’s ideas, which makes only the best ideas survive. Of course we argue because it’s natural as brothers, but after 21 years of living with each other we know when to draw the line, and that line is never crossed. Plus I’m about 50 pounds heavier than him so he usually retreats, ha ha!”

BraveWords: Vocalist Nick Sakal really shines on this album. How did you first meet and get him to join the band?

Billy Lov: “The funny thing is that John, Nick and I all went to the same elementary school, so we’ve been close friends from a very young age. It’s a funny story how he joined the band, neither me nor John had any idea Nick knew how to sing; to be honest, Nick didn’t know either. The three of us were walking to Long and McQuade (our local music store) one day and we were singing “The Book Of Heavy Metal” by Dream Evil. In the chorus the singer belts out a crazy high scream. We happened to get to the chorus and John and I wimped out of singing that impossibly high note, Nick had no idea we we’re going to leave him hanging and just belted out the scream. John and I looked at each other in amazement and said holy crap, this kid had pipes this whole time. We pretty much gave him no choice and forced him to be in the band. He shared the same passion for music as we did so he gave in pretty easily.”

BraveWords: What does Ascendia hope to achieve or want to accomplish?

Billy Lov: “I think the most important thing is that we want to stay true ourselves and write music that we love. We also want our music to have an impact on people in the same way our favourite bands impacted us.” - Bravewords

“The Lion & the Jester” is the debut album from Toronto symphonic metal quintet Ascendia. Canada isn’t renowned as a hotbed for symphonic metal, but the confluence of European and American influences (both musically and geographically) gives the band a crossover appeal that should find favour both with fans of traditional and symphonic metal. But more importantly, it’ll probably still appeal to fans who can’t stand this genre of metal.

One could compare their sound to Florida’s Kamelot, but they’re no copycat. Ascendia blends in multiple influences to create their own identity within the symphonic metal genre. And it sounds ridiculously good too! The production is sharp, the playing is tight, and Nick Sakal’s vocals are spectacular. This sort of music lives and dies with its singer, but you can’t help be impressed by his voice. Instrumentally, the band is led by the brothers Luv, John (guitar) and Billy (drums), and they strike a fine balance between technical complexity and chugging riffing. The production is super clean and sharp, which allows the listener to pay attention to all the instrumental details in the music.

Ascendia Ascendia
The album has 11 tracks (plus Starlit Eyes, their first composition, as a bonus track), and no filler. An impressive debut from a band I’m sure we’ll hear more from.

8/10 - Montreal Rampage

Toronto symphonic metal band Ascendia have made a hard-hitting 8-minute music video about religious warfare and extremism for their debut album’s title-track, “The Lion and The Jester,” premiering exclusively on Samaritanmag. It ends with a quote from Mahatma Ghandi, reinforcing their message (watch video below).

The reason for the partnership with an online magazine about good people trying to change bad things is not just the song’s message; 50 percent of all band revenue, including album and merchandise sales, for the next three months, will be donated to the Red Cross.

“When we were first writing the song, we didn’t have charity on our minds,” drummer Billy Lov, who wrote the lyrics, tells Samaritanmag. “We wanted to write something that had a lot of meaning, then have a video that tied in with the message in the lyrics. It wasn’t until the video was completely done that we talked to the Red Cross.

“The reason we chose the Red Cross is we know that they’re first responders to world incidents, such as war and natural disasters, so we thought it was very fitting, especially what is going on with ISIS and even recently with Nepal. It’s definitely necessary that we donated to something that is tied in with what the video is about.”

Directed by Garret Henry, interspersed with Ascendia’s live performance of the song is tons of film and TV footage, starting out sweetly with the Pope gently cradling the head of a boy, and Muslims and Orthodox Jews at prayer to the stunning architecture of mosques and churches, but then images of war are used: tanks, soldiers, missiles, Hitler, Bin Laden, and more.

“The video tries to show in the beginning that religion is beautiful and there’s a lot of beautiful things about religion,” says Lov. “What the video does go on to show is how we stain religion and how others make religion look like this terrible thing.”

Asked if anyone in Ascendia is religious, Lov speaks on behalf of himself; his brother, guitarist/vocalist John Lov; and frontman Nick Sakal. The other members are bassist John Abanador, keyboardist Maestro and bassist John Abanador.

“Me and my brother are both Greek Orthodox and our singer is also Christian. But my brother and I are not serious, church-going Christians. We were brought up in a Christian family. We all have our faith, but we’re not hardcore.”

Does he believe religion is t the source of all wars?

“I don’t think we believe that religion is at the source of all wars; it’s more people are the source of all wars,” he says. “Religion is just one of the many things that we fight about. So if it wasn’t religion we don’t think that war would stop. We’re just trying to say that fighting over religion is hypocritical.

“The war thing is going forever and it just never stops, so it’s never not going to be relevant. We could have released this song and video anytime.”

For those who don’t make it to the end of the video to read Ghandi’s quote and the moral Ascendia is trying to make, the band is ready for the criticisms and Internet trolls in the comments section on YouTube, as is wont to happen.

“The whole point of the video is to keep you intrigued for the whole thing,” Lov says. “There are obviously people that aren’t going to watch it all; those people are probably going to get the wrong message.”

Acendia, whose album was released globally Feb. 24, and have performed on the Rockstar Mayhem Festival and supported such acts as Into Eternity and Single Bullet Theory, will be donating 50 percent of the proceeds from their t-shirts, tank tops, hats, song and album sales to the Red Cross — “any type of band revenue,” says Lov.

Angel D'Andrea, senior manager, community engagement at Canadian Red Cross, endorsed the campaign and now Ascendia has its own donation page on the Red Cross web site.

“The Canadian Red Cross delivers primary health care programs, relief supplies, water and sanitation and shelter solutions to people affected by conflicts, natural disasters or other emergencies,” it states. “Canadian Red Cross international programming promotes cost-effective, community-based programs, which help large numbers of people with humanitarian aid and long-term development programs.

“Toronto band, Ascendia is working with the Canadian Red Cross to ensure that we are able to assist those impacted by conflicts and disasters across the world.” - Samaritan Mag

Toronto symphonic power metal group Ascendia is premiering the video (posted below) for "The Lion and The Jester" today. The track is taken from the album of the same name.

The video was directed by Garret Henery of GGH Motion Pictures. Starting with the premiere of this video, Ascendia will be donating 50% of all band sales to the Red Cross to help those who have been affected in war torn areas of the world.

Ascendia comments on the video, ""An intense game of chess represents the reality of religious warfare. The opposing teams battle symbolizes the clashing of religions in conflict areas. In the end, who is truly the winner?"

The track listing for "The Lion And The Jester" is as follows:

1. At the End of It All
2. Remember Me
3. Moonchild
4. Demon Eyes
5. Last Forever
6. No More Tales to Tell
7. Why Angels Cry
8. Faded Away
9. My Last Song
10. The Song That You Deserved
11. The Lion and the Jester
12. Starlit Eyes - Metal Underground

The Skinny: Toronto-based symphonic metal band, Ascendia, have announced the release of their debut album The Lion and The Jester, produced by Stephen James Kerr and Ascendia. Ascendia's mammoth sound spans the Atlantic, uniting elements of North American metal with a foundation rooted in the symphonic tradition of European metal, and is poised to appeal to even the most discerning genre purists.

Currently comprised of vocalist Nick Sakal, guitarist/vocalist John Lov, drummer Billy Lov, bassist John Abanador, keyboardist Maestro and bassist John Abanador, the band has been amassing serious attention and accolades from Canada's heavy music community over the past couple of years. They earned a slot on the bill for the Toronto stop of the 2013 Rockstar Mayhem Festival and have been tapped to support the likes of Into Eternity and Single Bullet Theory. - Pure Grain Audio

The Skinny: Toronto-based symphonic metal band Ascendia have premiered a new video by indie film director Garret Henry for the title track "The Lion and The Jester." Produced by Stephen James Kerr and Ascendia, the LP The Lion and The Jester has received critical acclaim internationally since its release February 24.

The premier of the video is part of a band-driven campaign in support of the Red Cross, where Ascendia has committed to donate 50% of all profits from sales of albums and merchandise over the next 3 months. Currently comprised of vocalist Nick Sakal, guitarist/vocalist John Lov, drummer Billy Lov, bassist John Abanador, keyboardist Maestro and bassist John Abanador, the band has been amassing serious attention and accolades from Canada's heavy music community over the past couple of years. - Pure Grain Audio

Toronto, Canada-Symphonic/Power Metal artists Ascendia release their new video for the title track off their debut album “The Lion And The Jester” and announces campaign to help support the Red Cross.

The Lion And The Jester video premiered today on the legendary site, Metal Underground. The premiere is part of a band-driven campaign in support of the Red Cross, where Ascendia has committed to donate 50% of all profits from sales of albums and merchandise over the next 3 months.



“We made the video to express our feelings about the state of current events happening globally. The Red Cross has always done incredible work assisting those impacted by conflicts and disasters around the world. We wanted to become involved and do anything we could to help shine a spotlight on their efforts” Says drummer Billy Lov regarding the campaign to support the Red Cross.

Produced by Stephen James Kerr and Ascendia, the LP The Lion and The Jester has received critical acclaim internationally since its release February 24.

About Ascendia

Ascendia’s mammoth sound spans the Atlantic, uniting elements of North American metal with a foundation rooted in the symphonic tradition of European metal, and is poised to appeal to even the most discerning genre purists. Currently comprised of vocalist Nick Sakal, guitarist/vocalist John Lov, drummer Billy Lov, keyboardist Maestro and bassist John Abanador, the band has been amassing serious attention and accolades from Canada’s heavy music community over the past couple of years. They earned a slot on the bill for the Toronto stop of the 2013 Rockstar Mayhem Festival alongside heavyweight headliners like Mastodon, Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, and Five Finger Death Punch. They’ve been tapped to support the likes of Into Eternity and Single Bullet Theory, and now, they’re set to capitalize on the buzz from their first studio album. That sound, virtually unparalleled in Canada at this point, is showcased in spades on the band’s first collection, bringing the urgency of their live shows to your speakers. - Rock n Reel Reviews

Toronto based symphonic/power metal band, Ascendia have premiered their painfully beautiful video for “The Lion and the Jester”. 50% of all band revenue, including album and merchandise sales, for the next three months, will be donated to the Red Cross

Follow this link to purchase. - Beyond The Pit Chicago

April 29th 2015 Toronto, Canada-Symphonic/Power Metal artistsAscendia release their new video for the title track off their debut album"The Lion And The Jester" and announces campaign to help support theRed Cross.

The Lion And The Jester video premiered today on the legendary site,Metal Underground. The premiere is part of a band-driven campaign in support of the Red Cross, where Ascendia has committed to donate 50% of all profits from sales of albums and merchandise over the next 3 months


Metal Underground Premiere of "The Lion And The Jester"

"We made the video to express our feelings about the state of current events happening globally. The Red Cross has always done incredible work assisting those impacted by conflicts and disasters around the world. We wanted to become involved and do anything we could to help shine a spotlight on their efforts" Says drummer Billy Lov regarding the campaign to support the Red Cross.

Produced by Stephen James Kerr and Ascendia, the LP The Lion and The Jester has received critical acclaim internationally since its release February 24.


Ascendia’s mammoth sound spans the Atlantic, uniting elements of North American metal with a foundation rooted in the symphonic tradition of European metal, and is poised to appeal to even the most discerning genre purists. Currently comprised of vocalist Nick Sakal, guitarist/vocalist John Lov, drummer Billy Lov, keyboardist Maestro and bassist John Abanador, the band has been amassing serious attention and accolades from Canada’s heavy music community over the past couple of years. They earned a slot on the bill for the Toronto stop of the 2013 Rockstar Mayhem Festival alongside heavyweight headliners like Mastodon,Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, and Five Finger Death Punch. They've been tapped to support the likes of Into Eternity and Single Bullet Theory, and now, they’re set to capitalize on the buzz from their first studio album. That sound, virtually unparalleled in Canada at this point, is showcased in spades on the band’s first collection, bringing the urgency of their live shows to your speakers. - ToddStar Photography

April 29th 2015 Toronto, Canada-Symphonic/Power Metal artists Ascendia release their new video for the title track off their debut album "The Lion And The Jester" and announces campaign to help support the Red Cross.

The Lion And The Jester video premiered today on the legendary site, Metal Underground. The premiere is part of a band-driven campaign in support of the Red Cross, where Ascendia has committed to donate 50% of all profits from sales of albums and merchandise over the next 3 months

"We made the video to express our feelings about the state of current events happening globally. The Red Cross has always done incredible work assisting those impacted by conflicts and disasters around the world. We wanted to become involved and do anything we could to help shine a spotlight on their efforts" Says drummer Billy Lov regarding the campaign to support the Red Cross.

Produced by Stephen James Kerr and Ascendia, the LP The Lion and The Jester has received critical acclaim internationally since its release February 24.

About Ascendia

Ascendia’s mammoth sound spans the Atlantic, uniting elements of North American metal with a foundation rooted in the symphonic tradition of European metal, and is poised to appeal to even the most discerning genre purists. Currently comprised of vocalist Nick Sakal, guitarist/vocalist John Lov, drummer Billy Lov, keyboardist Maestro and bassist John Abanador, the band has been amassing serious attention and accolades from Canada’s heavy music community over the past couple of years. They earned a slot on the bill for the Toronto stop of the 2013 Rockstar Mayhem Festival alongside heavyweight headliners like Mastodon, Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, and Five Finger Death Punch. They've been tapped to support the likes of Into Eternity and Single Bullet Theory, and now, they’re set to capitalize on the buzz from their first studio album. That sound, virtually unparalleled in Canada at this point, is showcased in spades on the band’s first collection, bringing the urgency of their live shows to your speakers. - Unrated Entertainment Magazine

Symphonic/Power Metal artists Ascendia release their new video for the title track off their debut album“The Lion And The Jester” and announces campaign to help support the Canadian Red Cross.
The video is part of a band-driven campaign in support of the Red Cross, where Ascendia has committed to donate 50% of all profits from sales of albums and merchandise over the next 3 months

“We made the video to express our feelings about the state of current events happening globally. The Red Cross has always done incredible work assisting those impacted by conflicts and disasters around the world. We wanted to become involved and do anything we could to help shine a spotlight on their efforts” Says drummer Billy Lov regarding the campaign to support the Red Cross.
Produced by Stephen James Kerr and Ascendia, the LP The Lion and The Jester has received critical acclaim internationally since its release February 24.
AscendiaTheLionAndTheJester
About Ascendia
Ascendia’s mammoth sound spans the Atlantic, uniting elements of North American metal with a foundation rooted in the symphonic tradition of European metal, and is poised to appeal to even the most discerning genre purists. Currently comprised of vocalist Nick Sakal, guitarist/vocalist John Lov, drummer Billy Lov, keyboardist Maestro and bassist John Abanador, the band has been amassing serious attention and accolades from Canada’s heavy music community over the past couple of years. They earned a slot on the bill for the Toronto stop of the 2013 Rockstar Mayhem Festival alongside heavyweight headliners like Mastodon,Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, and Five Finger Death Punch. They’ve been tapped to support the likes of Into Eternity and Single Bullet Theory, and now, they’re set to capitalize on the buzz from their first studio album. That sound, virtually unparalleled in Canada at this point, is showcased in spades on the band’s first collection, bringing the urgency of their live shows to your speakers. - Midlands Metalheads Radio

“The Lion & the Jester” is the debut offering from the Toronto symphonic metal quintet Ascendia.

Vocalist, Nick Sakal along with brothers John Lov (guitars/vocals), Billy Lov (drums), Nick Sakal (vocals), John Abanador (bass) and Maestro (keyboards) round out the line-up.

I typically am not an overwhelming flag waver of the symphonic sub-genre. That being said, Ascendia is not the typical symphonic/progressive metal band. The symphonic aspect is present, yet it’s not overbearing, but merely another visible layer to the structure of the song.

It is obvious that musically, Ascendia are masterful at their craft yet, the balance and flow to each song delivered between each instrument is what gives Ascendia the ability to pull the listener in. Nick Sakal’s vocals are operatic and haunting with a peppering of metal edginess and are what keeps me coming back for more.

There is a litany of comparisons that can be made of Ascendia, from Kamelot to Nightwish etc. I tend to think that they have a strong resemblance to the Swedish heathens, Ghost. But hey… that’s just me!

Favorite Track: Demon Eyes

Bottom Line: I think Ascendia is primed for success. Even though they carry the moniker of symphonic metal, Ascendia have proven with The Lion And The Jester that they are balanced just enough to nourish countless appetites!

Keep It Heavy!

-Cooper- - Beyond The Pit Chicago

There is something of a 80’s and 90’s tribal insanity going on with this album. Right from the off the classic guitar solos, pounding drums and impressive vocal style takes you on a journey of dark and fantastical discovery through hidden lands and mysterious kingdoms, all the while angels weep on your shoulders to honour your long lost love. This is metal at its best.

This is ‘The Lion And The Jester’ by Ascendia.



The songs on this amazing, 12 track, album show the true diversity of the Alternative scene. Songs like ‘Last Forever’ fill your mind, body and soul with powerful images, haunting emotions and even a mabsoot tear. While ‘Demon Eyes’ kicks you in the teeth and sacks your house.

Overall the album is a fantastic must for all metal fans. It shall be Bandcamp soon. - 925 Rebellion

Toronto’s Ascendia is a beautiful blend of dichotomies – described on their bio as ‘beautiful but brutal’ and ‘chaotic but calculated’. When you listen to their debut release The Lion and the Jester, that’s exactly what you hear. They’re local talents serving up some of the best symphonic metal on this side of the pond. If you’re a fan of Nightwish, Within Temptation, or Kamelot, and want to support the homegrown talent of a few great Toronto lads, check out Ascendia.

The Lion and the Jester is the type of album that you may not instantaneously love but it grows on you and seeps under the skin. It starts with Nick Sakal’s voice, which is incredibly rich, strong and emotive as he delivers highly metaphorical and poetic lyrics making for a great hour of deep listening. Songs like “Moonchild” and the slow and somber ballads “Last Forever” and “The Song that You Deserved” are ones that stay with me long after the album is over.

The musicianship is also something very notable. The rest of the band is comprised of brothers John Lov (lead guitar and backing vocals) and Billy Lov (drums), Maestro (keyboards), and John Abanador (bass). It’s what you expect from a symphonic metal band – a well-rounded sound that makes for songs that sound full and complex. There’s a lot going on in each song without feeling overcrowded or cacophonous. “Faded Away” and the title track “The Lion and the Jester” are prime examples of this.

The Lion and the Jester was released late last year and now is as good a time as any to get in to support this band – and take advantage of the opportunity to support a great cause. Currently Ascendia is donating 50% of all merchandise sales to support the Canadian Red Cross’ International Fund. More information can be found on Ascendia’s Facebook page.

It’s clear that the road ahead for Ascendia is paved with great opportunities – they have a very strong debut album, one that sounds well-honed and crafted and quite mature. They’re drawing from a strong reservoir of talent and they’re already a band that’s willing to give back to where it matters, straight from their own debut album. This is clearly a band worth checking out. - Lithium Magazine

Guitar player, John Lov of the Toronto based band Ascendia was gracious (and patient) enough to let us to pick his brain.

First and foremost, Congratulations on the release of The Lion & The Jester!

JL: Thanks a lot!

How have listeners reacted to it?

JL: So far the reaction has been quite positive; a lot more positive than we expected. Seeing as the topic of the video is one that can stir up some controversy, we have been expecting some variation in peoples responses. However, it seems that our message has been communicated rather clearly and people have been accepting it. We are very proud about that!

Categorically, Ascendia is Symphonic Metal but your sound is a bit heavier. Has that been a blessing or a curse with the “metal” or “symphonic” music lovers. As you know, metal heads are pretty loyal whatever the sub-genre.

JL: In general as a band we try not to focus in on labels and genres. We never sat down as a band and decided what style of music we wanted to be. That being said, we were very certain on how we didn’t want to sound. Through a process of elimination we became what you hear on the record haha! In terms of being heavy and symphonic; we just felt that the two were meant to be married. To our ears it just works! I think the fans we have made thus far agree with us. There will always be people who do not like what you do; we have learned to focus our attention on the people who care about us and like us for what we are.



With the complex layering and structure involved, what kind of time does it take to write a song from start to finish?

JL: This is a really good question because we have been trying to find an answer to it for quite some time now ! The truth is that it varies for every song. For instance, this album was written over a period of 3 years and was mainly due to working on it part time. However, there was a period where we wrote 5 songs within a period four months. It makes no sense! Of course, I am also talking about the main structure of the song; all the layers and details do take some time to develop. We have found that working on 3 or 4 songs at one time seems to work well for us since it avoids writers block. Whenever we are having a problem with one song we will just switch to another until eventually they are all done!

What is one band that’s had the most influence on you personally & musically?

JL: I would say that the one band that has made the largest impact on me personally and musically is Nightwish. I still remember when I was 10 years old and learning how to play “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath when my guitar teacher gave me his Nightwish CD of the album “Once.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and got hooked to it immediately. To this day, it is my favorite album of all time and have yet to find an album to knock it off !

If you could go back and change one thing you know now but didn’t know when you started the band what would it be?

JL: I think I am very fortunate to be able to say that I wouldn’t change a thing. Music is beautiful when it is kept organic. We never forced anything when it came to writing songs or even choosing band members. Everything was a natural process. If I changed anything it could mean that we wouldn’t be the band we are now.

If your band were a sexual position what would it be & why?

JL: I think we would be the classic “69” position because music is about reciprocation. There is reciprocation between us as band members and our fans. Working as a team to try and fulfill the needs of all is imperative.

What’s on the horizon for Ascendia?

JL: We are looking to tour and promote the hell out of this album. We have been working on trying to secure a booking agent to play more shows. Hopefully, we will be touring North America very soon. - Beyond The Pit Chicago

Toronto-based symphonic metal band, Ascendia, have announced the release of their debut album. Produced by Stephen James Kerr and Ascendia, The Lion And The Jester will be available February 24th. Watch the video for lead track, “At The End Of It All”, below:



Ascendia’s mammoth sound spans the Atlantic, uniting elements of North American metal with a foundation rooted in the symphonic tradition of European metal, and is poised to appeal to even the most discerning genre purists. Currently comprised of vocalist Nick Sakal, guitarist/vocalist John Lov, drummer Billy Lov, bassist John Abanador, keyboardist Maestro and bassist John Abanador, the band has been amassing serious attention and accolades from Canada’s heavy music community over the past couple of years. They earned a slot on the bill for the Toronto stop of the 2013 Rockstar Mayhem Festival alongside heavyweight headliners like Mastodon, Amon Amarth, Children Of Bodom, and Five Finger Death Punch. They’ve been tapped to support the likes of Into Eternity and Single Bullet Theory, and now, they’re set to capitalize on the buzz with their first studio album.

Brothers John and Billy have been performing together since their early teens, inspired by the sludgy sounds of ‘70s and ‘80s metal pioneers like Sabbath, Dio, and Rainbow. Soon after, their tastes shifted to more modern masters of the genre – “stuff like Nightwish, Kamelot, Killswitch Engage, and In Flames,” Billy explains.

One day, the two were walking to the music store with their longtime friend, Nick, singing a song. As John recalls, “All of a sudden, Nick let out a huge guttural scream that stopped us dead in our tracks.” As it turned out, he had quite the voice – swaying from epic, operatic singing and raucous, raging screams with ease. The seeds of Ascendia had been planted, and began to take root as the band performed metal covers of classic pop songs like “Maniac” and “Careless Whisper” for talent shows and battles of the bands.

“At that point, we knew we wanted to get serious, so we had to take a chance and start writing something else,” John explains. Their first composition was actually an acoustic ballad, “Starlit Eyes,” which remains a fan favourite and will be included as the bonus track on the upcoming record. Next, though, came a number of calamitous metal compositions – riotous down-tuned riffs and carefully orchestrated string sections anchored by machine gun rhythmic blasts and crowned by Sakal’s dynamic vocal prowess.

Part way into 2012, Ascendia put their writing on hold to focus on their live shows, leaving everything they had on sweat-soaked dive bar stages and building a following brick-by-brick with their gripping, airtight sets.

In 2013, they decided it was time to finally satisfy their growing fan base and deliver an album. “It’s been a very slow but calculated process,” John says. “We’ve taken baby steps the whole way, and I think that’s helped us develop as musicians and develop our sound.”

That sound, virtually unparalleled in Canada at this point, will be showcased in spades on the band’s first collection, bringing the urgency of their live shows to your speakers. The lyrics are in-depth and metaphorical, cryptically and poetically exploring themes of fate, deceit, and the human condition and culminating in a conceptual four-song series that tells the story of a young man and his spiritual Guardian.

Until the album drops, though Ascendia will continue their quest to conquer the North American metal map with their innovative concoction of European-inspired symphonic sounds. “We always knew there was something here,” Billy says bluntly, “and now we’re ready to start the takeover.” More information on the new LP and tour dates will be announced as it becomes available.

The young band will be showcasing their incredible live chops with a special free show on January 17th at The Smiling Buddha in Toronto. - Bravewords

Toronto-based symphonic metal band Ascendia has premiered a new video by indie film director Garret Henry for title track “The Lion And The Jester” off their debut album. The premiere is part of a band-driven campaign in support of the Red Cross, where Ascendia has committed to donate 50% of all profits from sales of albums and merchandise over the next three months. Head to RedCross.com for more information.



Says drummer Billy Lov regarding the campaign to help support the Red Cross, “We made the video to express our feelings about the state of current events happening globally. The Red Cross has always done incredible work assisting those impacted by conflicts and disasters around the world. We wanted to become involved and do anything we could to help shine a spotlight on their efforts.”

Ascendia’s mammoth sound spans the Atlantic, uniting elements of North American metal with a foundation rooted in the symphonic tradition of European metal, and is poised to appeal to even the most discerning genre purists. Currently comprised of vocalist Nick Sakal, guitarist/vocalist John Lov, drummer Billy Lov, keyboardist Maestro and bassist John Abanador, the band has been amassing serious attention and accolades from Canada’s heavy music community over the past couple of years. They earned a slot on the bill for the Toronto stop of the 2013 Rockstar Mayhem Festival alongside heavyweight headliners like Mastodon, Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, and Five Finger Death Punch. They’ve been tapped to support the likes of Into Eternity and Single Bullet Theory, and now, they’re set to capitalize on the buzz from their first studio album. That sound, virtually unparalleled in Canada at this point, is showcased in spades on the band’s first collection, bringing the urgency of their live shows to your speakers. - Bravewords

fter Europe, I would say that on this side of the world, Canada is the most metal continent. When I think of metal bands from Canada I think of the bigger names out there and after today, I can add another name to the list of Canadian greats. From Toronto, an epic symphonic power metal quintet known as Ascendia recently released their powerful debut album titled, The Lion And The Jester. Determined to appeal to even the most purest of genre elitists, the album encompasses twelve tracks that bring swift, dynamic and memorable verses, hooks and more to really blast some precise chaotic affairs to the metal masses. The group blends elements of metal from this side of the world and with heavy roots centered around European metal elements to really appeal to a large demographic. Brothers John and Billy Lov have had musical talents since their teen years in which their inspiration to play was initially taken from legends such as Dio and Black Sabbath. Later on their influences started to include bands like Kamelot, Nightwish and In Flames. After tampering around and recruiting more talent to their group, they decided it was time to write songs and get serious. This led to path to their future career, as live shows started to really become the central focus of their existence. A year later after that in 2013, they agreed to the consensus to deliver an album to the metal world, taking the writing process slowly and efficiently, really discovering their niches and brainstorming capabilities. During that time, the group was invited to play at the famous Rockstar Mayhem Festival, at the Toronto stop. Overall, this led the group to discover their signature sound and eventually come as one to release this album. The lyrical content of the album is unfathomable, really dissecting issues such as fate, deceit, human conditioning and a human and his spiritual guardian. The group always knew they had something special in them, something that they are ready to showcase and this album is tangible, physical proof of that.



Taking straight up classic and heavy hitting metal up your arse, At The End Of It All starts out with a tribal, almost middle eastern sounding intro. With your standard hard hitting riffs and guitar squeals, further strength is added to the track by vocalist Nick Sakal. His influence sounds like it stems from vocalist Howard Jones which is obvious in tone, pitch and harmony. Heck if that doesn’t entice you to latch onto the track, stick around for the killer shred and tapping solo that really put this group on the radar. The adrenaline and eargasmic ambience thanks to Maestro, really emphasizes the senses in the track Remember Me. The continuous double bass progresses this track towards a track full of life and energy. Personally, I found this one to be one of my favorites of the album. Hands down for the moshers and headbangers, check this one out. Guitarist Billy Lov an Maestro are a dual force on this one, they really go above and beyond, even the harmonies are quite stimulating. No More Tales To Tell comes with similar galloping energy that is prominent on the album. The vocals step back and become just a slight bit tamed, which isn’t bad at all of course. The vocals surely do not disappoint no matter what style they come as, overall the track has a heavier symphonic presence, higher than usual. If you’re looking to check out some melodic magic, give this track a spin.

If you’re like me and like to indulge in both the heavy as well as the more moving and intimate tracks, take a journey towards a softer part of the album with tracks like Last Forever, Why Angels Cry, The Song That You Deserved and the final track, Starlit Eyes. Vocalist Nick Sakal goes a little more than above and beyond in Last Forever. The ballad style track speaks of love and how the dance or final relationship won’t last forever. Why not really make the guitar stand out with a harmonic and passionate solo? I really enjoyed the short but to the point, rich in ambience track, Why Angels Cry. This one is honestly one of the best instrumental tracks I have ever heard from any band. Boy does Maestro really know how to work his craft. Of course though the remainder of the album is a delectable treat with the progressive track Moonchild as well as epic and moving message in the powerful title track The Lion And The Jester, where drummer Billy Lov really exhibits and performs his techniques. Hell, the band should be proud of creating such a broadening and inspirational track, that takes on modern day affairs.



Throughout the album there were several moments I was shocked, angry, surprised and energetic. All the tracks on this album offer a unique sound, one that does not mimic another on the album. Truly an original album from start to end Ascendia surely have found that spark that has driven them to exploit their talents in a proud way. It’s pretty rare for me when a vocalist makes an impact and hands down Nick Sakal has one powerful voice, boy does he have lots of energy. In the end though this album appeals vastly to fans of power and symphonic metal, even if you’re a pure genre follower. This s their debut album and hopefully we see and hear a lot from them, they definitely deserve a shot at taking on the metal masses. We’ll see you on the road Ascendia. Stay Metal \m/ - We Love Metal

Today John Lovatsis from Ascendia tells us about the inspiration for the title track of their debut album "The Lion and the Jester" and the recently released music video for the track. Here is the story:
The Lion and the Jester was a song that was inspired by recent events and deals with the topic of religious extremism and religious warfare in general. While writing this song, it became very apparent to us how lucky we are to be from such a beautiful country like Canada. We felt obligated to write this song for those people suffering at the hands of "religious warfare."

Although the lyrics were inspired by horrific news events, we have certain memories where the music itself inspired the words and themes of the track. For instance, during the mid section of the song there is an obvious "waltz" rhythm throughout. Dancing is a very unique and creative form of expression; we capitalized on this waltz pattern to form a lyrical theme that created a very important metaphor. In the pre-chorus there is a lyric that says "come here and share this dance with me". This is truly a beautiful way of saying to an extremist, come here and look at what you're doing through my eyes, and the eyes of the suffering. It's an attempt to put the harm doer in the shoes of another soul and to see if they feel any empathy at all. Although none of the members of the band are particularly religious we all felt invested in this topic.

Recording the music video was extremely intense and a long process. It took us over two months to dress the video location and three days to shoot our scenes. We even had neighbors threaten to call the police because we were shooting scenes very late at night and had no choice but to blast the song!
In addition to the theme of dancing a waltz, we made a conscious choice to explore the theme of "things of beauty being destroyed." We have this belief that all religions are beautiful and their messages are meant to inspire goodness; it is corrupt human beings who are twisting the words and these stories which ultimately leads to the staining of religion as a whole. In the video we show scenes of a beautiful flower shriveling and dying, a violinist playing to sheets of burning music, and our physical set slowly being destroyed as pieces and artifacts are smashed on the floor.

Once the video was shot, it took us close to four months to edit; quite a painful but rewarding process! After finishing the project we contacted the Canadian Red Cross and asked to see if they would let us support their efforts by donating half our profits to them for a three month campaign. We are very grateful that they accepted our request and have been running our donation campaign since April 29, 2015. All members can proudly say that we did everything we could to make our message come to life and hopefully impact people in way where they will try and help make a difference as well! - Anti Music

Click link to read - Devils Gate Media

En la escena canadiense del metal existen varias bandas que ya han colocado un nombre en el registro mundial, están Annihilator, Voivod, Anvil, The Agonist, Cryptopsy, Kataklysm, Kittie, entre muchas otras. Pero pocas son las que tienen que ver con el metal sinfónico y Power, y es ahí donde entra una nueva banda de Toronto que, formados en 2012, llegan con su álbum debut para comenzar el duro camino en la vertiente más estruendosa del rock.

The Lion and the Jester es el título con el que este quinteto da inicio a su andar discográfico, ya que no hubo demos o sencillos previos. Ascendia practica un Power Metal con detalles sinfónicos y progresivos, haciéndose patente la rama que pretenden seguir, la de bandas como Kamelot o Nightwish.

Los canadienses se integran con Billy Lov comandando la batería, Maestro en la labor del teclado, John Abanador rasgando el bajo, la guitarra dirigida por John Lov y el quehacer vocal a cargo de Nick Sakal, quien en momentos alcanza registros de tenor.

Desde el primer tema ‘At the End of It All’ se exhiben varios factores de lo que tiene Ascendia para este álbum, la impresión de drama en el desempeño vocal de Nick que se mantiene en cada canción e instrumentación etérea, con trances melódicos y otros más dados a lo pesado. Y es en ‘Remember Me’ donde Maestro hace de su composición de teclado una fuerte carga que brinda ostentación al track.

‘Moonchild’ viene como otro corte de mucha sinfonía, sin descanso de este elemento que gustará a los más adeptos a la suntuosidad sinfónica. Por otro lado, ‘Demon Eyes’ muestra a unos Ascendia trágicos y hasta Doom, lo que los pone como una banda que también puede salirse un poco de su estilo sin perder.

También la fragilidad posee aforo en el álbum con la balada de rigor, ‘Last Forever’ coloca el momento sutil con un Nick muy íntimo y conmovedor.

La inclinación progresiva se vuelve bastante notoria al sonar ‘No More Tales to Tell’ y sus puntuales pasajes crecientes y sucesivos, una cimentación gradual característica del estilo. Después viene ‘Why Angels Cry’, una breve y melancólica pieza instrumental con un violín protagonizando.

Un cierto ritmo de metal épico es el que tiene ‘Faded Away’, aunque quizá no sea de las mejores del álbum… La que sí lo es lleva por nombre ‘My Last Song’ gracias a los efectivos riffs y doble pedal en la batería, lo que convierte a este tema en uno de los más pesados.

Una canción extraña es ‘The Song That You Deserved’, podría encajar en el clímax de una película animada infantil, aunque no es un mal tema sí es muy dulce.

Para terminar se arroja un contraste, primero en un viaje sinfónico más que pone la pomposidad aún mayor, por si hacía falta una descarga más intensa. Y luego un final acústico que se hace pasar por otra balada.

Ascendia se ha marcado un muy buen debut que debería traerles buenas oportunidades y un lugar en el panorama del metal, tanto Power como sinfónico e incluso progresivo. - SUMMA INFERNO

Mammal’s rating: 4 out of 5

I invented the genre label in the album info at the top of this post. I had to. Ascendia doesn’t slot into any single category. That is intentional by the band. They’ve been building their own, unique combination of styles and influences. In their case you might say, “One band fits all.” In my opinion they’d do damn well at any rock festival, prog festival or metal fest. Their appeal should span across a wide range of tastes.


I’ll let the band write the next couple of paragraphs, because they perfectly sum up what I take from this album: “Although incorporating influences played a significant role in writing the album, most of the attention was paid to achieving our own pioneered sound.

“The main thing we tried to accomplish was a true sense of balance; there needed to be an even threshold for every element we added. It’s like a well made soup; if you add too much of one ingredient, it can really spoil the taste.

“In context of the songs, we focused on creating complete harmony between many things such as the amount of symphonics and the amount of traditional rock instruments used, the amount of heaviness and the amount of melody, the amount of subtlety and the amount of class, the amount of North American and the amount of European influences used… with a foundation rooted in the symphonic tradition of European metal.”

The outcome of all that strategizing is that “The Lion and the Jester” is a multicoloured avalanche of brightly shining music. It ranges from the exuberantly hard-and-heavy to restrained, self-exploratory lyricism. To achieve such a mixture of power and emotion must have taken a hell of a lot of planning, writing, rehearsing, re-writing and more rehearsing. You don’t approach perfection without putting in a mountain of work. For Ascendia, all that effort has paid off beautifully.

Ascendia Band Photo

Hats off to all the members for their sterling individual performances as well as the way they’ve read and balanced their contributions to achieve the balance they sought. Drummer Billy Lov, bassist John Abanador, guitarist and second vocalist John Lov, and a keyboardist identified only as Maestro have welded their music into a harmonious and sweetly orchestrated tapestry of sound. Nick Sakal, the lead vocalist, makes grand use of his strong, excellent tenor to pack every song with range, intensity and passion.

The track sequence surges and simmers alternately between forceful, rawkin’ metal and gentle ballads. The lyrics are nicely matched to the melody and rhythm in each song to convey many moods and experiences expressing the travails of being human. Ascendia tell that their first-ever composition, “Starlit Eyes”, was conceived as an acoustic ballad. That’s how it’s performed on the 12th and bonus track of “The Lion and the Jester”. It is the culmination of an epic theme that flows through the last four songs on the album.

It took me longer than intended to get to Ascendia in the welter of new albums that arrive at Metal State every day. Sorry, guys, if this review is coming out later than might have suited you. For my part, I assure you it was more than worth the waiting. I’ll be looking forward to your next album. - A Metal State Of Mind

A month ago The Maestro asked me if I was in the mood a challenge. Stupidly, I thought “Sure, why not?” So, he handed me the debut release from ASCENDIA, The Lion and the Jester (out now independent release) to review. Fast forward a couple of weeks, and there I am whining to the boss that it’s too hard. Pursuant to his advice (“Suck it up and get back to work, buttercup!”) I finally sit here able to get all of my thoughts down somewhat coherently, and what a relief it is.

This is a really good disc, but it’s complicated. I’m normally a power metal kind of guy, and there’s a lot of that here. I am most assuredly NOT a big fan of the symphonic metal sound (ala NIGHTWISH or later KAMELOT) and there’s even more of that here. Mix in a little prog and a bunch of orchestrations, and you start to get an idea of what I mean by “complicated”.

I’ll start with the vocals. Nick Sakal has a deep resonant voice that’s instantly pleasing. There’s no falsetto wankery here – just some beautiful singing that, at times, channels not only some of the great tenor power metal singers, but also has the appeal of a classic crooner. There’s nothing wrong with that comparison – he’s just THAT versatile and talented. In particular, I loved “Last Forever” – and yes, he kind of channels a Michael Bolton sound on that track, but to be completely honest, Nick could make an album of Michael Bolton covers completely enjoyable for me.

The music was a little more of a struggle for me – it’s good, but it does have a strong taste of the later years of Roy Khan era KAMELOT, which really just did not appeal to me at all. However, after spending a LOT of time with the disc, I grew to appreciate it on its own merits and can separate it from the rest of the symphonic metal pack. The orchestrations feel a little superfluous at times, but that’s a personal preference – it did make the album a little less accessible for someone like myself who prefers more of a classic power metal sound, and I have to wonder how they transfer to a live setting (I really hope to see ASCENDIA live one day, but share a disdain for backing tracks with many of my peers.)

The guitar sound from Jon Luv is excellent – he’s got a great feel for the flow of a song, and his solos are nothing short of awesome. Brother Billy Luv is an able and solid drummer, and John Abanador’s bass is consistent, if a bit low in the mix for my taste. The keyboardist known only as Maestro (no relation to the boss) provides some great synth lines that really support the rest of the music and never jumps out in front as the main focus, unlike a lot of synth parts in symphonic metal.

For a debut album, this is a very solid outing, and while it took a while for it to grow on me, it’s now stuck in my rotation. I can’t wait to see what ASCENDIA has up their sleeve next, and really hope to see them on stage in the very near future. Check this one out.

STANDOUT TRACKS: “Last Forever”, “Moonchild”, “Faded Away”, “Remember Me”

RATING: 8/10

-FRANK ZABER - AMPS AND GREEN SCREENS