This Ascension toured the United States three times and the west coast prolifically, sharing the stage with bands including Clan of Xymox, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Chris Isaak, The Wolfgang Press, Pixies and The Stranglers.
After Tess Records collapsed, the band signed to Projekt Records in 2001. Their back catalogue was rereleased, however plans to record new material were never successful and the band split soon afterwards. The group reformed for a few shows in 2004.
Dru has gone on to sing for the neo-classical project Mirabilis as well as ethereal/electronic act Falling You, Kevin Serra performed with Lot 49 and now plays under cloud seeding while Charlie has rejoined his former band Nerf Herder.
This Ascension took their early cues from The Cure, The Chameleons, and just about every 4AD band at the time. Their debut Tears In Rain earned the band comparisons to Area, Xmal Deutschland, and even pop fare such as 10,000 Maniacs, while their later releases move toward the ethereal-gothic realm. 1999's album Sever is the most varied, drawing on influences ranging from Early Music to the progressive rock/ambient/tribal offerings of the Real World label.
With producer John Rivers (Dead Can Dance, Love & Rockets) at the helm, Sever charted on over 200 college, community, and alternative radio stations throughout the United States and Canada within two months of its release.
August Rain
This Ascension Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cross to bear, truth is sought
You could have this
Abandoning awe
When did it cease
I know solace used to come
Breath it in deep
Under this somber sun
All consumed, bitter thoughts
I called you an angel
Youre right, youre not
I see him watching
Two minds over lust
He knows what the future brings
But its written in the dust
I see him walking
Into the sunrise
I try to reach out to him
Take the fear from him eyes
Confide in me
Is it real? it brings you there
Empty caresses
Go see if I care
All about me
Like a time that I forgot
You came to worship
You left a god
Fall into me
Slip of time, fading cause
This place of lovers
This house of loss
I see him watching
Two minds over lust
He knows what the future brings
But its written in the dust
I see him walking
Into the sunrise
I try to reach out to him
Take the fear from him eyes
The song "August Rain" by This Ascension is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of relationships and the human condition. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics, perfectly capturing the feelings of someone who feels misunderstood and overlooked. The singer is longing for someone to really see and know them, yet they feel like they are carrying a "cross to bear" and struggling to find the truth.
As the song progresses, the singer reflects on past relationships and how they have been let down by those they once thought were angels. The lyrics "I called you an angel, you're right, you're not" speak to the idea of idealizing people in our lives, only to be disappointed by their flaws and limitations. The singer is grappling with the complexities of human relationships, trying to make sense of the bitter thoughts that seem to consume them.
The chorus of the song is incredibly poignant, with the singer describing their attempts to reach out to someone who seems lost and afraid, hoping to ease their fear and bring them back to the present moment. The song is full of powerful imagery, from the "somber sun" to the "empty caresses" that leave the singer feeling alone and disconnected.
Overall, "August Rain" is a deeply introspective and emotional song that dives into the complexities of human relationships, exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you not know me?
Are you not familiar with who I am?
Cross to bear, truth is sought
Having to bear a difficult burden while seeking the truth
You could have this
This is available to you
Abandoning awe
Letting go of admiration
When did it cease
At what point did it come to a stop?
I know solace used to come
I remember when I used to find comfort
Breath it in deep
Take a deep breath in
Under this somber sun
Beneath this gloomy sky
Like enemies
As if we were enemies
All consumed, bitter thoughts
Being consumed by bitter thoughts
I called you an angel
I referred to you as an angel
Youre right, youre not
You are correct, you are not
I see him watching
I take notice of him observing
Two minds over lust
Two minds tangled in desire
He knows what the future brings
He has knowledge of what is to come
But its written in the dust
But it is fleeting and temporary
I see him walking
I take notice of him walking
Into the sunrise
Towards the beginning of a new day
I try to reach out to him
I attempt to make contact with him
Take the fear from him eyes
Ease the fear in his eyes
Confide in me
Share your secrets with me
Is it real? it brings you there
Is it genuine? Is it leading you towards something?
Empty caresses
Meaningless affectionate gestures
Go see if I care
Go and check if I care (I don't)
All about me
Everything is centered around me
Like a time that I forgot
Just like a memory that has been lost
You came to worship
You arrived with the intention of worshipping
You left a god
You departed, and I was left feeling like a deity
Fall into me
Collapse into my embrace
Slip of time, fading cause
A brief moment in time, with reasons for its demise
This place of lovers
This is a location for lovers
This house of loss
This is a house of grief and bereavement
Contributed by Penelope D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joy
Do you not know me ? Cross to bear, truth is sought
You could have this
Abandoning
When did it cease
I know solace used to come
Breath it in deep
Under this somber sun
Like enemies
All consumed, bitter thoughts
I called you an angel
Youre right, youre not
I see him watching
Two minds over lust
He knows what the future brings
But its written in the dust
I see him walking
Into the sunrise
I try to reach out to him
Take the fear from his eyes
Confide in me
Is it real? it brings you there
Empty caresses
Go see if I care
All about me
Like a time that I forgot
You came to worship
You left a god
Fall into me
Slip of time, fading cause
This place of lovers
This house of loss
I see him watching
Two minds over lust
He knows what the future brings
But its written in the dust
I see him walking
Into the sunrise
I try to reach out to him
Take the fear from his eyes
Festelf Sorel
The Frozen Flood:
Get into the car for a final ride,
the radio on and yourself beside,
and stop off quick to buy just one last drink,
for death is on its way.
Skirt along the pavement, steering to-and-fro,
wander in blood poured stones we know,
for death is on its way.
See the cast, the iron girders rising,
this intermission once mesmerizing,
for death is on its way.
-Bells the Stoker
Joy
Do you not know me ? Cross to bear, truth is sought
You could have this
Abandoning
When did it cease
I know solace used to come
Breath it in deep
Under this somber sun
Like enemies
All consumed, bitter thoughts
I called you an angel
Youre right, youre not
I see him watching
Two minds over lust
He knows what the future brings
But its written in the dust
I see him walking
Into the sunrise
I try to reach out to him
Take the fear from his eyes
Confide in me
Is it real? it brings you there
Empty caresses
Go see if I care
All about me
Like a time that I forgot
You came to worship
You left a god
Fall into me
Slip of time, fading cause
This place of lovers
This house of loss
I see him watching
Two minds over lust
He knows what the future brings
But its written in the dust
I see him walking
Into the sunrise
I try to reach out to him
Take the fear from his eyes
Renata Brasileiro
thank you!!
misanthrone
beautiful voice
Tilda
Wow. This is so beautiful, yet so powerful. How have I not listened to them before?
Dru Delmonico
Hi There--thanks to everyone for the lovely comments. Just wanted to chime in that TA and Tess were always on excellent terms, as some of TA's members actually started the label. The band even played a few years ago, but we all live all over so it's difficult. :)
Jesse Matthews
What really sucks is This Ascension barely had their chance to shine... Shut down because of alleged monies owed by the band to the record label. Sounds like something a music label would do.
rakman paguio
love this song!
Thyago
Love this music.
Darlene-Ashley Cheleze
more of the beautiful insanity that has become my life. i am everla so greatful for these pieces of art.
AnUnhingedMind
I had never realized the version Trance to the Sun did was a cover of this. Beautiful.