Washington DC Rock Band Breaks Out of the Mold

Washington, DC (Top40 Charts/ Rites of Ash LLC) - Washington DC-based Electronic Pop/Hard Rock band RITES OF ASH is a perfect example of how unsigned bands no longer need a major record label in the constantly changing music industry. The three-piece group has been able to record and self-release three professional studio albums, while also distributing their music on iTunes and other digital outlets, attaining thousands of fans world-wide, producing their own music video that has aired on Fuse TV, and getting their music featured on ten MTV shows (including 'The Real World,' "Next," and "Pimp My Ride").

On top of all this, the band produces a first-class live show that features coordinated lighting, custom built stage props, and synchronized video presented through flat-panel monitors mounted on mannequins and digital projectors. Their sound is carefully crafted and provides a full soundscape filled with smooth synthesizers, smashing drums, soaring vocals, and hard-hitting guitars. Consisting of only three members, one could imagine many more on stage based on the complexity and richness of the music. The live show is visually amazing and comparable to today's major-signed touring bands.

How did RITES OF ASH accomplish this? Lots of hard work, self-determination, and a big outpouring of support from their fans. The band spent countless hours producing music and live show videos, creating graphics, and promoting themselves to get to where they proudly stand today.

RITES OF ASH's new album, LIKE VENOM, is their 5th release and will feature a new direction for the band. This record is much more pop and mainstream sounding than previous releases; however, it still features a very edgy hard rock sound and a lot of unique elements unheard in today's Top 40. RITES OF ASH has always been innovators when it comes to presentation of their music on recordings and live performances. The new album crosses over into new territory by combining the stylings of mainstream hip-hop with hard synthesizer pop/rock; the end result is something yet undiscovered in the music industry. If you mixed Lady Gaga and T-Pain with Avenged Sevenfold and Linkin Park you would get LIKE VENOM.

The band is pulling out all the stops for this new record; they have acquired the services of veteran mixing engineer Kevin "131" Gutierrez (Madonna, David Bowie, Twilight Soundtrack), photographer Douglas Sonders (Lenny Kravitz, Evanescence, 3 Doors Down), and City on Fire for graphic design. LIKE VENOM features guest vocals from Omar Ruiz (Crash Boom Bang) and Deb Z., a full choir, and live orchestra.

LIKE VENOM is due out in stores and online retailers May 31, 2010.

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