Entertainment Magazine

New ASH Album "Meltdown" to Be Released on Record Collection 3.8.2005

SANTA MONICA, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/08/2004 -- Record Collection is proud to announce the US release of ASH's new album "Meltdown" on March 8th, 2005.

The album's release will coincide with a new Lucas Arts "Star Wars" videogame, Republic Commando, that features ASH's single "Clones" as the theme song.

This marks the first time Lucas Arts has ever used a band's song in anything "Star Wars" related. The US release will feature exclusive bonus tracks and DVD footage not available on the European full-length version of "Meltdown."

"We are very excited about 'Meltdown,'" says Record Collection president Jordan Tappis. "Ash has proven themselves overseas, and I am confident that they are poised for great success here in America. Record Collection proudly welcomes them to our roster."

Ash's debut mini album "Trailer" drew so much interest upon its release in 1995 that the band was flown to London, where they were fawned over by labels and press alike.

Shortly thereafter, the band found themselves recording what would be their breakthrough LP, the timeless piece of pop history, "1977," which was released in Sept. 1996.

The album was aptly titled to represent both the year of founding members Tim Wheeler and Mark Hamilton's birth AND (of almost equal significance), the year that "Star Wars" was released -- an obsession shared by the band.

Fresh in their place as media darlings and chart toppers, the band from Belfast found themselves immersed in the rollercoaster lifestyle of rock n' roll -- complete with addictions, arguments, arrests and breakups.

Charlotte Hatherly joined Wheeler, Hamilton and drummer Rick McMurray as a second guitarist, and Ash released their sophomore effort, 1999's "Nu-Clear Sounds." 2001's "Free All Angels" followed and was one of the biggest releases of that year.

NME raved, "there hasn't been a more consistently electrifying rock album since 'Definitely Maybe.'" The album's smash hit "Burn Baby Burn" earned the band both an NME Brat Award and a Q Single Of The Year honor. At this year's Kerrang! Awards, Ash was honored with the Classic Songwriter Award.

"Meltdown," which has gone certified gold in the UK, was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, System Of A Down). "I always think American records sound better sonically," says Wheeler.

"They always seem to have better engineering, better studios, so we wanted to check it out first hand." "Meltdown" takes all the pop thrills, kinetic melodies and slamdunking riffs that made the world love Ash, then douses them in petrol and drops in a match.

This is Ash at their melodic best, a glimpse into their darker heart... exactly the kind of music that four twentysomething rock fans should be making after a decade in action

Ash will tour the US in support of "Meltdown" this Spring.

www.ash-official.com

www.recordcollectionmusic.com

	Buy Now from amazon.com Meltdown (Bonus CD)
	Meltdown (+2 Bonus Tracks)

"If 'Free All Angels' opened ears then 'Meltdown' looks set to shatter them."
- KERRANG!

"'Meltdown' is, quite simply, the album they've been building up to all this time."
- KERRANG!

"'Meltdown' thrums with widdly guitar solos, towering chord progressions and chunky beats, while still being distinctly an Ash album. And that, of course, means that it's packed with catchy, punky pop tunes with huge choruses..."
- Q

"'Meltdown' retains the gum-tingling pop harmonies and guitar-throttling riffs of previous albums, but their reedy punk sinew has swollen into rock muscle."
- MOJO

"...they're one of a rare breed of British bands that get
consistently better every
time they come back."
- NME

"...these Irish punks lit a fire under Brit critics that is still
smoldering."
- ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY