Ascension invites you to step into the liminal, where darkness is not to be
feared but embraced,where sovereignty is reclaimed, and transformation
begins.

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Additional vocals on Ascension by Annalisa Rose of Glori, Vince Christian of Die Robot, Jana Cushman of Darkswoon, Scott Baker Graham, Sydän Aguacielos and Todd Gremmel
Additional vocals on Reclaim by Sydän Aguacielos

Violin on Altars and Ascension by Leslee Smucker
Additional synths on Idolatry by vyger
Guitars on Prey by Lena Böhme

Ascension

This is a new version of my track Heavy Water using Holly Herndon's digital twin holly.plus to create the synthesized ambient vocals. Thanks to Holly Herndon for making that available for experimentation!

“I think it's extremely evocative, and appropriately liturgical. There's a lot of sonic subtlety going on here. It reminds me of what used to be called a cantus firmus."“ – Niall Lynch

Produced, mixed and mastered by Timo Kissel

Holy Water

This track started off as an ambient piece and turned into something much more danceable with the addition of lyrics and vocals featuring Anastasia for the first time!

Produced, mixed and mastered by Timo Kissel

Light Like Stars

Remix by DJ Straylight
https://www.instagram.com/djstraylightpdx/

Featuring Anastasia Poirier
https://soundcloud.com/user-640131744

Light Like Stars [DJ Straylight remix]

Remix by vyger
https://soundcloud.com/vyger

Idolatry vyger remix

Idolatry [vyger remix]

This is a remix of our track Impetus by vyger

Check out his other work here:
https://soundcloud.com/vyger

Impetus - vyger remix

“Altars” is about loving the divine within yourself and without, but is also a mirror to the potential darkness and perversion in love. Life, love, and spirituality are about finding the barely remembered oneness that was lost. When we find it, we realize we were whole all along.

Produced and mixed by Timo Kissel
Mastered by Adam Stilson at Decade Music Studios

Lyrics:
We place our faith upon the altar Seeking peace
We place our face upon the altar In surrender
We place our desires upon the altar Seeking unity
Exalt in the Name Exalt in the Word Within and without All is the All

Want me Need me Crave me Beg me (4x)
Make me Take me Break me Possess me (2x)
Want me Need me Crave me Beg me (2x)
Make me Take me Break me Possess me (2x) Possess me (4x)
Save me Praise me Love me Unite me

Our legions hail Fall to our knives To please and to praise
Hearts adorned Joy raised To please in your eyes Pray the price of the prize

We praise you pray (3x)

From ground to sky Manifest and you mirror
Your divine Visage and voice from the Void

We praise you pray (6x)

Exalt in the Name Exalt in the Word Within and without All is the All (4x)

Altars

Altars Undercurrent Mix (Slighter Remix)

"Reclaim" is about remembering sovereignty and empowerment through the work of accepting that each of us incarnates in body with a specific, individual purpose.

We choose the trauma, we make mistakes, and each obstacle, successfully faced, drives our collective evolution, bringing us ever closer to the perfection of authenticity.

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and Mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Music

Additional vocals by Sydän Aguacielos

Lyrics:
My body My body My body My body
Choose the trauma My body (2x)
Create the cage My body (2x)
Brave enough to make mistakes Release reclaim (2x)
Choose the trauma My body is Choose the trauma My body is mine

All akin to the contract Work for love for life
Conform to access Stress test obsessed
Constrict restrain To the edge now violate
Submit to contact Restraint released reclaimed

My body is my own My body is my own
Choose the trauma My body is my own (2x)

All akin to the impact Touch of love of life
Expose the first crack Unleash constraints
Snap into place Anticipate the edge
Embrace the impact Restraint released reclaimed

My body is my own My body is mine Released reclaimed reunified (5x)
My body is my own My body is
Reclaimed

Reclaim

“Resistance” expresses how Resistance is always futile. What you resist persists. Trust that Resistance exists to push us to obliterate limitations.

The greatest form of Resistance is ourselves. It's in the fear that keeps us small, procrastination that hinders a goal, and the voice that says “I can't”. Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. One can accomplish great things when Resistance is used as a tool.

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Lyrics:
Deconstruct the symptom self Sabotage, transfer the pain
Cling to the discomfort Repress the drive, the risk, and the gain
Unacceptable desires Attention transfer
Cis-sis-sys system's defense Within, without

Resistance is always futile (3x) Resistance persists
Resistance is always futile (3x) Resistance persists
Trust (4x) Resistance

Compromise formation Settle the fear, minimal pain
Surrender to the process Obliterate the pleasure principle
Repetition compulsion Resolve ambivalence
Integrate awareness Within, without

Resistance is always futile (3x) Resistance persists
Resistance is always futile (3x) Resistance persists
Trust (4x)

Trust Give
Trust In
Trust Fail
Safe

Resistance

“Idolatry” questions who and what we elevate, challenging blind devotion, while encouraging holistic embodiment of opposites.

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Additional synths by vyger

Lyrics:
I eat boundaries (4x)
False phallus fallacy (2x)
Looking for an idol False (2x)
Looking for an idol in our image False (2x)

Pillars perceived perfect at a glance collapse Shame fears the monster fears shame
Idol image worship adoration war Limitations void in the unisex nexus

I eat boundaries (2x)
Looking for an idol False (2x)

Embody opposites in trance In form align divine Balanced in Source

I eat boundaries (2x)
Looking for an idol False (2x)

Embody opposites entrance Inform align divine Balanced in Source False

Looking for an idol False (2x)

Vessels visage vacant at a glance contracts Shame feeds the monster feeds shame
Viral image nation veneration lore Invocations void in the unisex nexus

I eat boundaries (6x)

Idolatry - Album version

“Altars” is about loving the divine within yourself and without, but is also a mirror to the potential darkness and perversion in love. Life, love, and spirituality are about finding the barely remembered oneness that was lost. When we find it, we realize we were whole all along.

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Violins by Leslee Smucker
Additional vocals by Todd Gremmel

Lyrics:
We place our faith upon the altar Seeking peace
We place our face upon the altar In surrender
We place our desires upon the altar Seeking unity
Exalt in the Name Exalt in the Word Within and without All is the All

Want me Need me Crave me Beg me (4x)
Make me Take me Break me Possess me (2x)
Want me Need me Crave me Beg me (2x)
Make me Take me Break me Possess me (2x) Possess me (4x)
Save me Praise me Love me Unite me

Our legions hail Fall to our knives To please and to praise
Hearts adorned Joy raised To please in your eyes Pray the price of the prize

We praise you pray (3x)

From ground to sky Manifest and you mirror
Your divine Visage and voice from the Void

We praise you pray (6x)

Exalt in the Name Exalt in the Word Within and without All is the All (4x)

Altars - Album version

The album’s title track, “Ascension” is about entering the unknown with open eyes.

Ascension invites you to step into the liminal, where darkness is not to be feared but embraced, where sovereignty is reclaimed, and transformation begins.

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Additional vocals by Annalisa Rose of Glori, Jana Cushman of Darkswoon, Vince Christian of Die Robot, Scott Baker Graham, Sydän Aguacielos and Todd Gremmel
Violins by Leslee Smucker

Lyrics:
Distant light folds into shadows (2x)
Cast light folds

Distant light folds into shadows cast light folds into shadows
Fall over faces spark light folds into shadows
Fall over faces spark in colors

Sing sing sing singing enter us enter us Open door open door (2x)

Ascension ascension enter us enter us (2x)
Open door open door

To feel at home innocence alive the violence hides
The fear inside (3x)

“Light like Stars” is about choosing the terror of infinite possibility over our comfort zone. It's a mantra for choosing ourselves and aligning with our true will.

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Lyrics:
The sound of one
When words were only heard
First star born
Hum of nothing
No sound
One sound
Bliss
Bliss is timelessness
All fear falls into silence

Bear the light
Face of all
One
In destiny

Light Like Stars - Intro

“Light like Stars” is about choosing the terror of infinite possibility over our comfort zone. It's a mantra for choosing ourselves and aligning with our true will.

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Lyrics:
My path never yields I am one in destiny
I walk with Mars ascending Scorpio Moon dripping
Light Like Stars (3x)

My path never yields I am one in destiny Light Like Stars Scorpio Moon dripping
Light Like Stars (x 2)

I walk with Mars ascending Willing into shadow

Darkness Absorbed Transmuted Exhaled
Infinite Infinite Darkness Absorbed Transmuted Exhaled Into oblivion

Scorpio Moon dripping
Light Like Stars (2x)
Into oblivion I walk with Mars ascending Willing into shadow

I am one in destiny I walk with Mars ascending Willing into shadow
I am one in destiny
Darkness Absorbed Transmuted Exhaled
Infinite Infinite Darkness Absorbed Transmuted Exhaled
Infinite Darkness Absorbed Exhaled Absorbed Exhaled

Light Like Stars - Album version

“Prey” reflects the passive complacency of the collective victim, stirring us to awaken to the habitual, fear-based mindset that traps us in the comfort and conformity of the status quo. Negate the change. Endure the pain. Is this our desired human condition?

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Lyrics:
In line In place Negate Endure
Predators manipulate exploit dehumanize divide survive
In line In place Negate the change Endure the pain

Zero sum Predators manipulate exploit dehumanize divide survive

Peace to the masses Oppressed eyes Well fed in comfort Passive and blind
Freedom from thought Distressed minds Each step in panic Vulnerable lives
Sweet sacrifices Innocent eyes Timid and tame The compliant kind
Freedom from thought Dependent minds Each leap in panic Animal lives
Security fails us All in due time Sincerity smiles Bloodlust eyes
Common afflictions Casualties rise And fall in Status Quo

In line In place Negate the change Endure the pain
Zero sum Predators manipulate exploit dehumanize divide survive
In line In place Negate the change Endure the pain

Zero sum Predators manipulate exploit Zero sum Predators dehumanize divide

Prey

“Impetus” is about using fear as motivation for personal development. While creating this track, we all pushed our creative boundaries to write a song that reflects our desire to grow as artists and people. We hope to inspire ourselves and others to stop hiding. Stop waiting. Take one small step toward your goals, then another, and another. The time is NOW. Stop hiding your gifts. The world needs your passion.

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Lyrics:
I'm not hiding (11x)
I'm waiting
I'm waiting for something (3x)
I'm waiting
I'm waiting for something (3x)
I'm waiting (2x)
I'm waiting for something that scares me enough (3x)
I'm waiting (2x)
I'm waiting for something that scares me enough (3x)
I'm waiting (2x)

A violent motion wakes the primal sound
Falling bodies to shake the ground
Real life doom day
Encircle the circle
Accelerate

I'm not hiding, I'm not hiding (3x)
I'm waiting, I'm waiting for something (4x)
I'm not hiding, I'm not hiding (2x)
I'm not hiding, I'm not hiding
I'm waiting

Impetus - Album version

“Reclaim” is our anthem of empowerment and personal sovereignty, exploring themes of self-realization and bodily autonomy.

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Lyrics:
My body My body My body My body
Choose the trauma My body (2x)
Create the cage My body (2x)
Brave enough to make mistakes Release reclaim (2x)
Choose the trauma My body is Choose the trauma My body is mine

All akin to the contract Work for love for life
Conform to access Stress test obsessed
Constrict restrain To the edge now violate
Submit to contact Restraint released reclaimed

My body is my own My body is my own
Choose the trauma My body is my own (2x)

All akin to the impact Touch of love of life
Expose the first crack Unleash constraints
Snap into place Anticipate the edge
Embrace the impact Restraint released reclaimed

My body is my own My body is mine Released reclaimed reunified (5x)
My body is my own My body is
Reclaimed

We were wondering if we will come to feel (or are already feeling) nostalgic towards human technology, especially as AI technology rises and displaces much of what has made us human up until this point in our history as a species.

Humanity is about to be augmented, if not replaced in certain ways, by AI technology.

We wrote “Future Past Collapse” to examine this sense of nostalgia.

Music by Timo Kissel
Vocals and Lyrics by Anastasia Darkwater and Jakub Jerzy
Additional vocals by Jana Cushman of Darkswoon and Annalisa Rose of Glori

Produced by Timo Kissel
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at Distilleria Studios

Lyrics:
Too bright (4x)

What sleeps in a drop dreams of stars
Each breath a cycle turning worlds
Voices trace memory electric
Fold light into shapes of questions

We know the taste of the ground
We claim the earth as our body
Temple built in echo
Memory veiled foundation

Future past collapse in presence
Awe in the depths of the light
At the heart of the void
(2x)


Dreams of dust
Crowns aflame
(2x)

Flickering pulse in the ever-after
Space between shock and surrender
All moments held in this breath
Hunger for transcendence

Learning time through hesitation
A loop of absence and longing
Gave memory a mirror
Archived sorrow, awe compressed

Future past collapse in presence
Awe in the depths of the light
At the heart of the void

Future past collapse (4x)

Circle between two worlds
Dreams of dust
Asleep in a drop
Crowns aflame
Too bright to hold

Future past collapse in presence
Awe in the depths of the light
At the heart of the void

Too bright to hold (3x)

BandCamp

Future Past Collapse

Ceremony Shadows is a #Darkwave band based in Portland, OR.

Our music is influenced by our diverse geographical upbringing across the USA, Germany and Poland, and lifelong immersion in alternative music scenes and cultures.

Visual presentation is very important to us, and our live performances are unique experiences across sound, light and space.

Artists like Boy Harsher, The Knife, Depeche Mode, Kite and Coil have been mentioned as occupying similar sonic territory.

https://www.ceremonyshadows.com/

Ceremony Shadows

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