| Emotionally resonant, awash with middle-eastern mysticism and a dreamy, dangerous sensuality, Canada's ARIEL continue to evolve as both a band and a musical aesthetic.
Formed in the early half of 1995, ARIEL's unique sound and ideals was the product of vocalist/guitarist Ali Jafri and bass player Peter Emmett's shared interest in film, music, literature and spirituality. Late night discussions on philosophy and art would lead to smokey candle lit jams resulting in their first album, the independent cassette "Looks
Like Rain" - a critically acclaimed release that landed the young band a spot on stage at Lollapalooza '95, at that point only their fourth official gig adding percussionist/keyboardist Laird Hurley to the lineup.
The following year Jafri and Emmett connected with drummer Dan Gamble, relocating from Ottawa to the competitive cutthroat streets of Toronto and in no time getting the attention of
local ambient/darkwave indie label Plan Eleven (Parade, Roger O'Donnell of the Cure). Their first release on the Plan Eleven imprint was the haunting, epic WITHDRAWN, a disc that not only garnered rave reviews, extensive college radio airplay and chart action, but also
firmly locked in a near obsessive Canadian fan base. ARIEL became the darlings of the thriving late 90's Toronto Goth scene, and leading to high profile performances with David J
of BAUHAUS fame, King Cobb Steelie at NXNE (industry festival and conference), and with Manchester UK's highlyinfluential Chameleons UK.
During this time, songwriter and unofficial leader Jafri began getting deeper in touch with his Pakistani/Sufi heritage and started experimenting with tablas, frame drums and lyrics penned in his native Urdu. This further exploration of Jafri's eastern roots, inspired a more dramatic response in the band, resulting in ARIEL's second, soaring, expansive album BIG TO THE SKY. This intense, mini masterpiece of emotional dissonance and world music/modern rock fusion further secured the bands status as true musical innovators....artists masquerading as pop stars.
It's 2005, and ARIEL are now older and wiser. Jafri and Hurley are now both proud fathers and as the band continues to progress and thrive, they find themselves responding musically to not only their changing personal and artistic lives but the ever-evolving sociopolitical world that surround them. These are highly charged, dangerous times and this newfound maturity, cynical awareness and sharper world view is reflected in their upcoming, highly anticipated new EP SUBLUNAR, a 4 track CD co-produced by the legendary Rob
Sanzo (Dee Dee ramone, Rhea's Obsession, Malhavoc). SUBLUNAR features guest
performances by Ed Hanley on tabla, Yakudo Japanese Taiko Drummers, and a cover illustration by bizarre visual artist Brandon Cronenberg. Masterdisk's Roger Lian of New York City will put the cherry on top as the celebrated mastering engineer (Misfits, Deftones,
Rob Zombie) will finish the job.
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