Asva is an American experimental doom/sludge/drone metal band, originally formed by Stuart Dahlquist and B.R.A.D. in 2003. The name of the project is derived from a Sanskrit word aśva, meaning a "horse". Asva never fits traditional definitions of such genres as doom, sludge or drone, always presenting uncommon and unconventional interpretations, even though this project had a significant influence on the scene. But the latest album confirms the final departure from a realm of purely metal-related genres, being much more melodic and uplifted.
As described on their former record label Web Of Mimicry official site: Asva is blowing through town and taking the drone rock medium to new lows. Not your average "doom" band, Asva's saddlebags are filled with wooden chapel organs and subharmonic drones. Their packs are stuffed with electroacoustic sensibilities and hand-scribbled laments to the alchemical stars — they rode through walls of electrostatic fuzz to toll the mission bell on this side of the firmament — then they smashed your piano to splinters just for the sound it makes. In their wake nothing remains but tumbleweeds and twisters, dancing pointlessly in ageless dusty darkness.
Asva is notable for frequent line-up changes, with Dahlquist being a leader and the only constant member of the band. Among others, Trey Spruance was a long-time contributor for Asva, appearing both as a live member and studio musician on two albums. Other ex-members includes Troy Swanson and Milky Burgess.
As of 2011, members of Asva are Stuart Dahlquist, Toby Driver (main vocals, guitar), Greg Gilmore (drums) and Jake Weller (wind instruments), with Nick Hudson planned as an additional live member for a forthcoming tour (supporting the 3rd album "Presences Of Absences").
In some interviews, Stuart Dahlquist describes Asva as not being a traditional band in a strict meaning of this word, due to a varying membership, lack or rehearsals, rare performances and the fact that band members record separately from each other.
As described on their former record label Web Of Mimicry official site: Asva is blowing through town and taking the drone rock medium to new lows. Not your average "doom" band, Asva's saddlebags are filled with wooden chapel organs and subharmonic drones. Their packs are stuffed with electroacoustic sensibilities and hand-scribbled laments to the alchemical stars — they rode through walls of electrostatic fuzz to toll the mission bell on this side of the firmament — then they smashed your piano to splinters just for the sound it makes. In their wake nothing remains but tumbleweeds and twisters, dancing pointlessly in ageless dusty darkness.
Asva is notable for frequent line-up changes, with Dahlquist being a leader and the only constant member of the band. Among others, Trey Spruance was a long-time contributor for Asva, appearing both as a live member and studio musician on two albums. Other ex-members includes Troy Swanson and Milky Burgess.
As of 2011, members of Asva are Stuart Dahlquist, Toby Driver (main vocals, guitar), Greg Gilmore (drums) and Jake Weller (wind instruments), with Nick Hudson planned as an additional live member for a forthcoming tour (supporting the 3rd album "Presences Of Absences").
In some interviews, Stuart Dahlquist describes Asva as not being a traditional band in a strict meaning of this word, due to a varying membership, lack or rehearsals, rare performances and the fact that band members record separately from each other.
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