With Crisis Catalyst, Anthony Ellis launches Ashes of Reason—a powerful solo project exploring chaos, clarity, and modern life through soaring melodies, heavy riffs, and deeply personal, thought-provoking themes.
1.
“Crisis Catalyst” is your third full-length release and the first under the
name Ashes of Reason. What inspired the rebranding, and how does this project
differ from your previous releases?
The rebranding came through the feeling that this release felt different. my
first album was a collection of songs I had sitting around over 10 years
without a home. so was sporadic, Master saviour was a more focused and refined
album that was written in order start to finish, and with Crisis Catalyst it
felt like the culmination of all the lessons learned and deserved to be given
an Identity beyond just my name.
2. The album explores heavy themes like confusion, clarity, and living in
the digital age. Were there specific life events or observations that shaped
these lyrical directions?
I've had a sporadic few years to say the least. A separation from my wife, wich
luckily is now resolved, 3 children obsessed with technology, seeing how every
industry has changed, sometimes not for the better with the digital age. I run
a fitness business and all that is competing with online coaching now. the
music industry when I last was touring was still about selling CD's and just
gigging for word of mouth was viable promotion. everything is different. Maybe
showing my age, but its a confusing time. Politics, relationships, finances,
everything is altering at such a vast rate being human is a brittle experience.
3. The title Crisis Catalyst is powerful. Can you explain the meaning behind
it and how it ties the album’s themes together?
The title is obviously named after the main single, but the idea of the that
title came about when the lyrics were taking shape. This album is chaos, the
chaos of being alive, the decisions we make, the chaos left in their wake, and
at the cause of it there is a catalyst, is it the self, the government, tech
companies etc. the root of the themes on the album. Ultimately the catalyst is
ourselves. we choose wether it becomes chaos or wether to create a calm in the
storm, it all depends on perspective.
4. As a solo artist, you handled writing, recording, and producing
everything yourself. What were the biggest challenges and rewards of managing
the entire creative process alone?
The biggest challenges were mainly technology based. my home studio PC was 13
years old and struggling. Regular crashes, taking so long to track certain
parts that it got really irritating, some mistakes can be heard on the album
either via the issues me not finding them, or when it eventually died during
the final mixes and overdubs I didn't retrack everything on a new system to
fix. Again, following the theme of choice, imperfection. I figured why not?
Otherwise it was making time juggling life alongside it all, and doing this
without the aid of a band or collaborator to bring ideas to fruition quicker,
or dare I say improve them.
5. Musically, the album spans influences from Iron Maiden and Megadeth to Nevermore and In Flames. How do you blend those classic and modern sounds without losing your own identity?
That's pretty much etched in my style now. I loved all those bands growing up and they're like the backbone of my influences, they've woven together to create a sound that's recognisable but stands apart also. 20 plus years of playing and writing in various style bands certain things just stick in your playing style and mould with whats there.
6. The album flows with emotional purpose and dynamic contrasts. How did you approach the structure of the tracklist to ensure that narrative arc?
The idea was to start off a bit angier, as my previous release was very angry, more melodic death metal. So I wanted a more angry start and vibe, leaning more into emotional weight and introspection at the end of the album. However I never wanted just another melodic death metal record. I wanted a Ashes of Reason record that takes the things I love about that stuff and create more melody to really hit home the certain emotions at play.
7. “(Find) Clarity” and “Crisis Catalyst” are featured singles. What makes these tracks stand out, and what do they represent within the album’s broader message?
I think, apart from being more radio friendly, they really encapsulate the feeling of the album thematically. Crisis Catalyst being the more angry song at the establishment, politicians, wars and so on then (Find) Clarity is the beginning of the introspection. Realising Its within you to make the most of in front of you.
8. The final track, “Pineapple Party,” adds a dose of humor. What made you decide to end the album on a lighter note?
Well, that came from me showing a friend of mine the early demos of some the tracks. He simply said "Id love metal not to take itself too seriously more often, and just have a band that keeps laughing on stage". So I said I'll make a track to make him laugh. I discovered Pineapple is the fruit for people who, shall we say, play well with others.. and then Pineapple party happened. He loved it, my other friends loved it, and I figured, why not end the album on a humerous note after the heavy themes of the rest of it, perhaps even to tease more stuff in that style in the future.
9. The digital age is a recurring theme in your lyrics. How has technology shaped both your life and your perspective as an artist?
As a kid growing up technology amazed me. It still does in many ways, we have internet access everywhere, I remember dial up, we can watch a video of almost anything anytime. find instructions to anything, guides, learning courses, link with people we haven't seen in years, and that's before we go into the medical things, technology helps keep my son alive with his type 1 Diabetes, its amazing. But then theres the dark side of it. Influencers abusing the stage, scam artists, con men, hate speech, hackers, the dark web, people using it as a platform to cause harm. Even things as silly as spoilers online. I have a big love hate relationship with technology, more so since becoming a parent.
10. You describe this as your most mature work to date. In what ways have you grown as a songwriter and producer since your earlier albums?
I'm less afraid of risk and failure. My previous work was always scream, be angry, death metal, then nice guitar harmony, scream again. This time I wanted to strip away a lot of that bravado and be more vulnerable, sing cleanly throughout, showcase what I've learned and worked on for years but been afraid to let loose through misconceptions of this is how my metal should sound. Lyrically its more in depth and mature and musically ive taken more chances too. There's even a metal ballad on this one!
11. Ashes of Reason isn’t tied to a band lineup. Do you see yourself continuing as a solo artist, or would you consider forming a full band in the future for live performances or collaboration?
The success this album has had so far I will admit I'm considering taking it live and on the road. I've worked with many musicians. so many amazing musicians. The idea is there, and I've had a few conversations let’s put it that way
12. Finally, what do you hope listeners take away from Crisis Catalyst after hearing it from start to finish?
I’d like them to come away perhaps with a certain level of introspection, or at the very least think, that shit rocked, haha!
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