February 19, 2008 - Recently we chatted with Burton Bell the lead singer of Ascension of The Watchers. Below is what he had to say to us.

Ascension of The Watchers

FES : Can you please give us the Ascension of the Watchers band 411?

Burton Bell: Ascension of The Watchers, the creative journey of myself (Fear Factory, G//Z/R) and John Bechdel (False Icons, Fear Factory, Killing Joke, Prong, Ministry, and Murder Inc.), is a vision born of life, love and spirituality. The intimate nature of Ascension of The Watchers is envisioned to draw the minds, hearts and aspirations of a people to a higher level of thinking and feeling by bringing them together in celebration and reflection in the beauty of life and spirituality, through these melodies and words.

In early 2002, I retreated to the quiet simplicity of rural Pennsylvania for seven months with my friend and musical confidant John Bechdel, to escape the onslaught of Los Angeles . A mentor in music, philosophy and demeanor, Bechdel unwittingly guided me along the path to this project.

Recording in the hauntingly beautiful seclusion of rural Pennsylvania at The Machine Shop, John's private studio; the band created "Iconoclast" featuring five original recordings that showcase my ethereal vocal and writing style through thought provoking lyrics and music with a melodic acoustical and synth blend, that shows my constantly evolving musical growth.

In 2005 "Iconoclast" was released on Limited Edition Vinyl and CD and is available along with other items designed and created by AOTW exclusively through their own webstore at ascensionofthewatchers.com.

The next chapter of the Watchers saga began to unfold in 2007 as I signed with Al Jurgensen's 13th Planet Records. New material was recorded and previously conceived songs were reworked into their final realizations by myself and John with the addition of Edu Mussi (Echoes And Shadows, Still Life Decay) and contributions from Al Jourgensen, the late Paul Raven and Ben Bell. Experience Numinosum, the debut Ascension of the Watchers album, on February 19, 2008. [Numinosum is available for preorder now at ascensionofthewatchers.com.]

AotW returns to the stage for a short tour to celebrate the release of Numinosum. Myself and John will also be part of the upcoming Ministry CULaTour.

FES : What do you say to the people who say Ascension of The Watchers is a side project and not a full-time band?

Burton Bell : Time will show them the answer.

FES : You have stated the cover photo of Numinosum made you realize that you are on the right course for realizing your dreams. Can you please tell us what your dreams are?

Burton Bell : This was a photograph that I took 2.5 years ago. As I was putting the album together, I realized that this was an image in a dream I had in 2000. I remember it well, because it was so powerful, from the way I felt when I woke up. When I described the dream to a friend who specialized in dream analysis, she informed me that I experienced a Numinosum. I have a remembered the dream this entire time.

FES : How long did it take to write 'Numinosum' and what was the inspiration behind the album?

Burton Bell : The songs had been in the works starting in 2000. I had demo 'd 6 of them, 5 can be found on Iconoclast. The rest of the songs were never recorded, but I had been writing them since after the recording of Iconoclast.

FES: Where was 'Numinosum' recorded and how long did it take AoTW to record the album?

Burton Bell : It was recorded in El Paso , TX , at 13th Planet studios. I recorded and mixed the album in 30 days.

FES : How many songs did AoTW have going into the studio and how did AoTW decide which songs would make it onto the album and which ones would not?

Burton Bell : We had 12 songs, and all of them made the record.

FES : Do you have any personal favorites?

Burton Bell : I really love CANON FOR MY BELOVED.

FES : What are the benefits of being on an indie label such as 13th Planet Records that being on one of the major five would not give you as a musician?

Burton Bell : Well, I have never been on a major label, so I cannot answer this.

FES : What can fans expect when they go see Ascension of the Watchers in concert?

Burton Bell : A passionate concert.

FES : When can we expect to see AoTW play shows in Florida?

Burton Bell : I don't know, The tour I want to do later this year does not include Florida.

FES: At what point in your life did you decide that you wanted to be a musician?

Burton Bell : I always wanted to be a writer, that is why I moved to LA. A friend asked me to try out singing for his band, and I said, sure, why not, I am bored.

FES : What do you have to say to fans of AoTW who read this interview?

Burton Bell : You are the few in FL that like AoTW, I can probably thank them all in person.

Ascension of the Watchers is from Pennslyania.

Ascension of The Watchers are:

Burton C. Bell - Guitar/Vocals
John Bechdel - Keyboards/Programming
Fade Kainer - Drums
Scott Irvine - Bass
Edu Mussi - Guitar

For more artist information log onto the official Ascension of The Watchers website.

To purchase music log onto the Ascension of The Watchers webstore.