ASP is a German gothic rock band from Frankfurt, formed in 1999. The name is identical to the pseudonym of the band's leader Asp (Alexander Spreng), and is pronounced as one word (like the snake).
History
ASP were formed in 1999[1] by Alexander Frank Spreng (a.k.a. "Asp") and Matthias Ambré (a.k.a. "Matze"), producing their first 3-track demo CD later that year. The following year saw a record deal with Trisol, who released the band's debut album Hast du mich vermisst? ("Have you missed me [very much]?"), as well as the band's first live performance, at the 'Gothicworld' festival having added Andreas Gross (a.k.a. "Tossi") on bass, Oliver Himmighoffen (a.k.a. "Himmi") on drums and a choir section to the line-up.[1]
The following three years saw the release of two further albums Duett and Weltunter, which, along with the debut, formed the album series Der Schwarze Schmetterling ("The Black Butterfly"). ASP also became a popular live act over these years, regularly appearing at high-profile festivals.[1]
The band suffered some difficulty in 2004 with the bankruptcy of distributor EFA,[1] though their albums were reissued later that year, along with the Interim Works Compendium, a 2CD collection of ASP rarities as well as selected tracks from their three albums to date. Another string of live dates took them through to the release of Aus der Tiefe in May 2005, the fourth part of the Der Schwarze Schmetterling series. The fifth part Requiembryo followed in 2007.[1]
The year 2008 saw the release of three new albums. First, a best of-album Horror Vacui was released in February. This was followed by a tour in Europe. At the end of August the band released Zaubererbruder – Der Krabat-Liederzyklus, an album based on the SorbianKrabat legend (see, e.g., Krabat by Otfried Preußler). The live recording Akoasma is available since December 2008.
They have also remixed Emilie Autumn's "Liar", plus provided vocals for the mix. It is known as the "Manic Depressive Mix" and is featured on Autumn's Liar/Dead Is The New Alive EP.
The band released their first DVD in August 2009, entitled Von Zaubererbrüdern.
In 2011, after almost 11 years of cooperation, the paths of the two founders of the band diverged – songwriter and singer Alexander "Asp" Spreng and producer and guitarist Matthias Ambré. ASP as a band continued with new partners, and the musicians Andreas Gross and Oliver Himmighoffen were retained for live performances. The reasons for separation are given officially as personal and professional differences.
One year later Oliver Himmighoffen also left the band. In his place Stefan Günther, who is a friend of Sören Jordan, joined the band.
Members
Frontman Alexander "Asp" Spreng at Rockharz Open Air 2016
Current members
Asp (Alexander Frank Spreng) – vocals (1999–present)
DJ Revelation 03 (Compiled By ASP) This is a compilation of artists such as Janus, Umbra et Imago, Qntal and others. The only ASP track is the first one.
–
2008
Horror Vacui
42
2011
Der komplette Schwarze Schmetterling – Zyklus {I bis V}
–
2014
Per aspera ad aspera
81
EPs
Year
Title
2002
Die Zusammenkunft (Duett-Remixes); re-released in 2009
2005
Hunger (only available on the Hunger tour 2005)
2006
Humility (with Chamber)
2006
Hässlich (fan remixes of the ASP song)
2007
Nie Mehr! (10 track EP beginning a new series of releases entitled "Die verschollenen Archive" [The Lost Archives])
