News
Beauty In Chaos & Ashton Nyte unveil stunning 5th collaboration 'Made of Rain'
Today we pack two delights into one - double to the reason to create some fanfare here, as we present a track that involves two icons on the dark music scene - both with roots that run deep in the post-punk and alternative rock scenes, albeit originally from two very distant locales.
LA-based supergroup Beauty In Chaos may operate on a revolving door principle and therefore, involve dozens of artists from all over the place, but it is spearheaded by one Michael Ciravolo, who originally hails from New Orleans and whose involvement in the Los Angeles music runs deep - 30-odd years with Human Drama, a decade or so with Michael Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel and, how could we ignore the fact that he also serves as President of Schecter Guitars? - Yes, THAT same company, known for endorsements & signature guitars for both Robert Smith and Simon Gallup of The Cure, guitar icon Zakk Wylde and dozens of other guitar greats.
The track in question is 'Made Of Rain' - the final track on BIC's 'Dancing With Angels' album and the second artist mentioned above is vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ashton Nyte of legacy goth rock outfit The Awakening, Now based in the USA, The Awakening is a dark musical project formed in Johannesburg, South Africa in the late ’90s. Nyte was anointed as "Johannesburg's Bowie" for his widely varying musical styles and theatrical performances. Having morphed over the years, The Awakening's sound incorporates numerous genres, including gothic rock, darkwave, post-punk, electronic rock, folk noir, new wave and more.
'Made of Rain' is a crystalline moment of post-punk perfection. The haunting melody, layered with atmospheric instrumentation, creates a truly captivating and unforgettable experience. This offering finds both Nyte and Ciravolo at the top of their game, creating a powerful anthem that attests to the enduring legacy of gothic rock.
“It is no coincidence that we chose a release date of September 10th, as it is six years to the day that we introduced Beauty In Chaos to the world with 'Storm’, which also featured Ashton. It is a true blessing to have Ashton back for our fifth song together. As we have come to expect from BIC, this new video is visually and conceptually very different from the latest BIC single 'Holy Ground'," says Michael Ciravolo.
About the new clip, which was filmed and directed by Fernando Cordero for Industrialism Films, Ashton Nyte says, “I am delighted with how the 'Made Of Rain' video came out. I think Industrialism Films have captured the sense of isolation and the desire for connection I was writing about. The dreamlike quality of the video reflects the inner struggle beautifully."
Beauty In Chaos formed in 2018 by guitarist Michael Ciravolo (formerly of Human Drama and Gene Loves Jezebel and current President of Schecter Guitars) with Grammy-nominated producer Michael Rozon (Ministry, Jarboe, Wayne Hussey, The Melvins). Their new album is their fourth long-player of original material. Out now via 33.3 Music Collective, this album also involves vocals from Holy Wars frontwoman Kat Leon, Julian Shah-Tayler (The Singularity), The Bellwether Syndicate’s William and Sarah Faith, Cynthia Isabella (Silence In The Snow), Leo Luganskiy (Strangelove), Patrik Mata (Kommunity FK), Wayne Hussey (the Mission) and Cinthya Hussey, his wife and partner in Archeometre.
Ciravolo describes this album as sort of a "sonic regression and a sonic progression", noting “I meant this as a positive thing, taking some of the post-rock elements of our debut album, the stark dark bits that run through ‘The Storm Before The Calm' and the gothy dreamy-gaze of 'Behind The Veil’. It was definitely going a bit backwards to take a few steps forward!”.
photo Anabel DFlux
For the CD version (and digital download ordered through the BIC website), Ciravolo did something he has long wanted to do... joining songs together with musical interludes, dubbed ‘Halos’. He explains, “These are unique soundscape interludes that sonically tie each song together, along with the album’s coda. I do have this… probably unrealistic romantic idea that the listener will give this album at least one top-to-bottom uninterrupted listen”.
Beauty In Chaos has established itself as a forerunner of creativity and collaboration in the dark music realm, with past releases also involving members of The Cure, Ministry, Cheap Trick, The Offspring, Gene Loves Jezebel, Marilyn Manson, Human Drama, Bauhaus, Nine Inch Nails, Van Halen, A Flock of Seagulls, dUg Pinnick (Kings X), ICE-T, Rolan Bolan, and guitar icon Zakk Wylde - this is far from an exhaustive list.
'Dancing With Angels' is out now on limited edition multi-color vinyl and CD from the Beauty In Chaos store, where the ‘Diving For Pearls' limited edition CD single is also available. Digitally, the album can be found on Bandcamp, Apple Music and Spotify. The first 100 vinyl copies come with two posters signed by the artists. Vinyl and CD purchases also include the full digital version of the album (with Halos and two bonus tracks).
Additional recording by Ashton Nyte
Mastered by Dale Becker / Becker Mastering (Pasadena, CA)
Ashton Nyte – vocals
Michael Ciravolo – guitars & textures
Michael Rozon – bass, synth & drum programming
Dirk Doucette – live drums
Filmed & directed by Fernando Cordero (Industrialism Films). Edited by Ryan Conlon
Concept by Ashton Nyte and Michael Ciravolo
Video filmed on location at FD Studios (Los Angeles). Lighting by Skum Love
Featuring Ashton Nyte (vocals), Michael Ciravolo (guitar), Tish Ciravolo (bass), Dirk Doucette (drums) & Kerry Remsen (violin)
"Dancing With Angels" album cover painting by Maren Platzhoff
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Michael Ciravolo / Ashton Nyte photos by Anabel DFlux
As The Awakening also gears up for their twelfth album on October 18, you should also soak up the new single 'Mirror Midnight', which underscores historical tendency towards self-obsession and the media's recurring manipulation of self-perception.
