In 2003, they released a split record with Swedish band Victims, it serves as transition point for the band between the material from the previous releases and their next record; 'Nightmares', their last album, was released on Jade Tree that same year. Further influenced by Tragedy, it is their most popular, melodic and influential record. Not all the aspects of their sound are derived from Tragedy but rather they simultaneously helped define and further develop what was later known to become 'neocrust'. Both bands evolved at the same time and possessed differing elements, however the Tragedy influence is there since both bands are close friends and reside in the same place.
The band split up in fall 2005 after doing a tour with the legendary UK band Subhumans.
On October 12, 2009 a reunion show at the Satyricon in Portland, OR for February 21, 2010 was announced via the band's MySpace blog. A limited number of shows were since performed. The 2010 live album entitled 'Live Hell' documents one of these performances. Their latest release is a 2012 two-song single entitled 'Rejoice the End / Rage of Sanity'. It is very melodic and even more similar to the neocrust style Tragedy became known for.
Brad Boatright became a producer/sound engineer and founded his own recording label/facility referred to as 'Audiosiege' in 2011 which has become considerably popular in the hardcore scene worldwide, many artists want their music produced by him.
Current line-up
*Dave Atchison – drums (1997–present) (Also of No Parade, Assassinate and Smoke or Fire)
*Brad Boatright – guitar (1997–present), vocals (1998–present) (Also of Deathreat and Warcry. Formerly of The Cooters, No Parade, Midnight, World Burns To Death and Lebanon)
*John Wilkerson – guitar, vocals (1998–present) (Also of Criminal Damage. Formerly of Coldbringer and Welcome Home Walker)
*Derek Willman – bass (2004–present) (Also of The Estranged, Coldbringer, Hellshock and Lebanon. Formerly of Remains Of The Day)
Former members:
*Marshall Perdue – vocals (1997–1998)
*Jeff Andrews – guitar (1997–1998)
*Jason Piercey – bass (1997–1998)
*Billy Davis – bass (1998–1999; 2001–2004) (Also of Deathreat and Tragedy)
*Ryan Teetzen – bass, vocals (1999–2001) (Also of the Fort Smith, Arkansas band Burned Up Bled Dry)
Public Service
From Ashes Rise Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The poor fill the prisons, the rich fill the schools.
Public servants to serve me and you,
they serve to destroy us, fucked over for who?
Public service, send you to war.
Public service, to take away your wages.
Public service, who's the service for?
Service the rich while you strangle the poor.
From Ashes Rise's song "Public Service" is a scathing critique of the government and those who hold power. The opening lines, "Public service, service for who? The poor fill the prisons, the rich fill the schools," highlight the skewed priorities and unequal treatment of different segments of society. While public servants are meant to serve the people, they end up perpetuating the very injustices they are meant to address. The second verse further exposes the betrayal of trust and the abuse of power by those in charge.
The third verse takes a more specific aim at the military-industrial complex, where the "public service" of sending people to war is actually a ploy to enrich the wealthy and powerful. The final lines of the song bring it all back to the central question: who is the public service meant to serve? It is clear that the interests of the rich are put above those of the poor and working class, leading to a society that values profit over people.
Line by Line Meaning
Public service, service for who?
Who benefits from public service?
The poor fill the prisons, the rich fill the schools.
A commentary on the inequality in society where poor people end up in prisons and rich people have access to better education.
Public servants to serve me and you,
Public servants are supposed to serve the general public.
they serve to destroy us, fucked over for who?
However, the truth is that they often end up causing harm to the people they are supposed to serve.
Public service, send you to war.
Public service can lead to being sent to war.
Public service, to take away your wages.
Public service can also result in a loss of wages.
Public service, to lock you in cells.
Public service can also be used to put people in prison.
Public service, who's the service for?
Who is actually benefiting from public service?
Service the rich while you strangle the poor.
Overall, public service tends to benefit the wealthy while harming the poor.
Contributed by Maria V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.