BW&BK; has received the following press release:

Ascendance Records is a new label funded by Lee Barrett (founder of Candlelight Records, ex-EXTREME NOISE TERROR, currently in TO-MERA) and A&R;'d by Sam Grant (writer, promoter, broadcaster, interviewer for Sonic Cathedral online). The emphasis on signing will be, but not exclusive to, the burgeoning female fronted metal scene in all its shapes and forms.

Since 2000 this scene has been growing in popularity. Now widely recognised as a genre in its own right, female metal vocalists are mastering all styles from power metal to Gothic, death and black metal. What was once a sparse handful of bands has grown exponentially and now the industry is becoming increasingly aware of the prowess of females in metal.

Ascendance Records will sign artists from all walks of female-fronted metal for worldwide promotion and distribution, as well as giving room to male-fronted bands that excel within the genre. Given the founders' innate interest and direct contact with the genre, the label has strong belief and commitment to every band signed. The label now celebrates its own inception with the signing of three unique bands, ranging from the already established to the totally underground.

Ascendance Records is fortunate and proud to sign a multi-album deal with one of the longest-standing and respected ensembles in gothic metal, FLOWING TEARS. For the first time since 2004 the band will be releasing a full-length album: a live recording of their semi-acoustic performance at Passionskirche Church, Berlin. The album captures their favourite songs specially rearranged for this event, while also including reworked cover versions of songs by SLAYER and NICK CAVE, the latter featuring guest vocals from TIAMAT mastermind Johan Edlund. With a new studio album due in the near future and a top slot at the highly renowned Metal Female Voices Fest in October, Flowing Tears have exploded back onto the gothic metal scene.

The label also presents the European signing of Canadian avant-garde masters UNEXPECT. Their remarkable and highly acclaimed album In A Flesh Aquarium will be available in Europe for the first time. The initial 2000 copies of the album will be presented in a limited edition double CD pack, the bonus CD featuring the We, Invaders EP, live video footage and a completely exclusive instrumental track.

Furthermore, Ascendance are delighted to welcome onboard the innovative and alternative French band AKPHAEZYA. Hailing from Orléans and featuring the exquisite and versatile vocals of Nehl Aëlin, Akphaezya play a wild and original array of experimental metal, drawing influences from ATROX, DEATH, MR BUNGLE and ARCH ENEMY, all hallmarked by Nehl's inimitable vocal talent. Their highly challenging and original debut CD, Anthology II, will be available through Ascendance Records at the beginning of 2008.

With these and more bands to be welcomed into the label's fold shortly, Ascendance Records heralds the next step in the evolution of the metal scene.

For samples of the upcoming releases, go to the label's MySpace page.