Morningstar Ascending play speed/thrash metal with elements of power metal and progressive metal. The biggest influences on M-A's sound are Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Fates Warning, and Tragedy Divine. Currently, Morningstar Ascending is a one-man project, but hopes to bring in more members in order to begin the metal assault on New England.
Morningstar Ascending started out as fantasy-oriented power metal project Avalon Burning with Diane "Sable" Morrison on lead vocals and acoustic guitar and Kevin LeBlanc (me) on electric guitar, bass, and drum programming. In 2001, Avalon Burning released their acclaimed demo 'Underdark Echoes', a prelude of what could've been great things in the form of a 2-disc album, 'The Rise and Fall of House Do'Urden'.
A few years had passed, disasters struck and were overcome, and much had been discussed between Sable and I. Unfortunately, it never went beyond discussion. Due to lack of contact, and the ever-increasing differences as far as goals and outlook, I decided to cut my losses, disband Avalon Burning, and start a new, more serious project. On a personal note, I was growing weary of doing fantasy-oriented music and even LISTENING to fantasy-oriented power metal was becoming harder to do.
So out with the old...in with Morningstar Ascending!
Morningstar Ascending has never played live, nor did it under the name Avalon Burning. However, when I was in Gallows Hill with Avalon Burning's singer, named Sable, we did a show in Branford, CT opening up for local heroes Khasm (R.I.P.). It was a fantastic experience, even though I fell flat on my ass at the end of the show.
Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate, Tragedy Divine, Fates Warning, Sacred Steel, Dream Theater
