Ares Kingdom Biography

Biography last updated Thursday, 27-Mar-2008 15:54:33 CDT.

Echoes of the Past
*Firestorms And Chaos* As we continue preparing new material for our second album, in spring 2008 we released "Firestorms and Chaos," a CD compilation of B-sides and previously vinyl-only material through NWN Productions. The CD includes both the "Firestorm Redemption" and "Failsafe" singles in their entirity, as well as the hard-to-find "Chaosmongers Alive" Live EP, and our original 1997 Demo. The booklet featured each release's original cover art, as well as other elements from each release. *Failsafe* Our third release on NWN Productions! and the last of our first album recording session material, the *Failsafe* 12" MLP was released in September 2007. It features four tracks: Failsafe (with Nuclear intro) Solis Lacus (recorded in 2005) Vultures in the Sky (Detente cover) Imperium (OFC cover recorded in 2005) Die hard versions feature a special AK cypher patch and sticker. *Return to Dust* Salvation now lies within reach... Our second release on NWN Productions and our first full length album, *Return to Dust* was released in 2006. Tracks include: Firestorm Redemption A Dream of Armageddon Failsafe Fear Itself Lamentations None Escape Sins of the Father Ironclad The LP comes with a gatefold jacket, inner photo collage sleeve and poster. Die Hard picture disc versions feature all of the previously mentioned, plus a limited edition 7" EP of our 1997 Demo and special patch & sticker. *Firestorm Redemption* *Firestorm Redemption* 12" single is still available, see our merchandise page for more information. The single includes its title track, plus two non-LP bonus tracks and lyric poster. The limited edition Die Hard version is pressed on gold vinyl and features an embroidered yellow on black shaped logo patch and black and white logo sticker.
Looking Back ARES KINGDOM came together in late 1996 as a project between former ORDER FROM CHAOS members Chuck Keller and Mike Miller. The first demo was recorded and released in early 1997. After issuing the demo Chuck and Mike rehearsed new material and began looking for other permanent members. Kansas City has never been tolerant of extreme metal, so it was a difficult task to say the least... Charter members of OFC's legendary Bastard Squad - Doug Overbay and former NEPENTHE bassist/vocalist Alex Blume joined in 2001 as bassist and vocalist. After rehearsing this new line up for several months the band considered playing a few local shows. Looking around things seemed to have changed since the ORDER FROM CHAOS days. There were a few clubs that at least paid lip service to heavier music, so ARES KINGDOM decided to test the waters by playing three shows at different clubs between late 2002 and 2003. To make a long story short, ARES KINGDOM quickly found themselves banned by two of the three clubs (one of which has since gone out of business), and the third simply never called back. So it seems little has changed in local attitudes towards truly extreme metal - and our equally vocal Bastard Squad friends. So, just as it was with ORDER FROM CHAOS, after the local "scene" proved itself incapable of supporting something other than clones of trendy or major label tripe, ARES KINGDOM took their show on the road and played two very successful gigs in Chicago in February 2004 and the Nuclear Holocaust Festival in September 2005, as well as another show for the Omaha "Old Guard" in July 2004. After completing the album in December 2005, the band shuffled and refined the line up into an even more metallic configuration. Alex Blume - Vocals & Bass Chuck Keller - Lead & Rhythm Guitars Mike Miller - Drums Doug Overbay - Rhythm Guitars The band are proud of the release of their debut *Return to Dust* in 2006 and are working on material for their next album, as well as looking toward more opportunities to bring their infernal thrashing death metal to eager ears.