Ares Kingdom

Incendiary
AK returned to Very Metal Sound in February 2009 to begin recording a relentless nine-track assault that picks up recisely where Return to Dust left off.
Our fifth release on NWN! Productions and our second full length album, Incendiary was released in January 2010 on CD, LP, and picture disc.
Musically, the album ranges in mood from classic thrash anthems to ultra-heavy overtures to calm and lyrical passages steeped in Metal's greatest traditions.
Lyrical themes on Incendiary explore significant historical and contemporary ideas and events through subjects as varied as religious extremism (Incendiary), the Creation vs. Evolution debate (Descent of Man), elitism and nihilism (Beasts that Perish), anti-complacency and the dangers of appeasement (Gathering the Eagles), and the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 (Abandon in Place).
The cover art is by Joseph Pennell (1857-1926), and is titled 'That Liberty Shall Not Perish From the Earth.' It was a poster for the USA's Fourth Liberty War Loan in 1918.

2009 Field Campaigns in Canada and Germany
In October 2009 AK invaded Canada to leave a mark on Calgary at the Noctis III Fest, and Germany a month later at the NWN! Festival in Berlin. Both appearances were unqualified successes. The rest of the year was spent recording Incendiary.

West Coast Assault
In June 2008 we embarked on a three date field campaign in California with Angelcorpse, Gospel of the Horns, Cemetery Urn and Sanguis Imperum. The shows were a resounding success as all bands were focused on the same goal: Slash and burn the West Coast.

Firestorms And Chaos
May 2008 saw the release of Firestorms and Chaos, our fourth release through NWN! Productions.
A CD compilation of B-sides and previously vinyl-only material, this release includes both the "Firestorm Redemption" and "Failsafe" singles, as well as the rare "Chaosmongers Alive" Live EP, and our 1997 Demo.
The booklet featured each release's original cover art, as well as other elements from each release.

Failsafe
Our third release on NWN! Productions and the last of our first album recording session material, the Failsafe 12" EP was released in September 2007.
It featured Failsafe with a Nuclear intro, plus three non-LP bonus tracks.
Die hard versions feature a special AK cypher patch and sticker.

Return to Dust
Salvation now lies within reach...
Our second release on NWN! Productions and our first full length album, the eight track, 42 minute slab of Infernal Thrashing Death Metal known as Return to Dust was released in May 2006 on CD, LP, and picture disc, and we're now in our third CD pressing.
The LP comes with a gatefold jacket, inner photo collage sleeve and poster. Die Hard picture disc versions feature all of the previously mentioned, plus a limited edition 7" EP of our 1997 Demo and special patch & sticker.

Firestorm Redemption
Our first release on NWN! Productions, the Firestorm Redemption 12" EP included its title track, plus two non-LP bonus tracks and was released in January 2006 as a teaser for Return to Dust.
Regular versions come with a lyric poster, and the limited edition Die Hard version is pressed on gold vinyl and features an embroidered yellow on black shaped logo patch and black and white logo sticker.

Looking Back
ARES KINGDOM came together in late 1996 as a project between former ORDER FROM CHAOS members Chuck Keller and Mike Miller. The first demo was recorded and released in early 1997. After issuing the demo Chuck and Mike rehearsed new material and began looking for other permanent members. Kansas City has never been tolerant of extreme metal, so it was a difficult task to say the least...
Charter members of OFC's legendary Bastard Squad - Doug Overbay and former NEPENTHE bassist/vocalist Alex Blume joined in 2001 as bassist and vocalist.
After rehearsing this new line up for several months the band considered playing a few local shows. Looking around things seemed to have changed since the ORDER FROM CHAOS days. There were a few clubs that at least paid lip service to heavier music, so ARES KINGDOM decided to test the waters by playing three shows at different clubs between late 2002 and 2003.
To make a long story short, ARES KINGDOM quickly found themselves banned by two of the three clubs (one of which has since gone out of business), and the third simply never called back. So it seems little has changed in local attitudes towards truly extreme metal - and our equally vocal Bastard Squad friends.
So, just as it was with ORDER FROM CHAOS, after the local "scene" proved itself incapable of supporting something other than clones of trendy or major label tripe, ARES KINGDOM took their show on the road and played two very successful gigs in Chicago in February 2004 and the Nuclear Holocaust Festival in September 2005, as well as another show for the Omaha "Old Guard" in July 2004.
After completing the album in December 2005, the band shuffled and refined the line up into an even more metallic configuration.
Alex Blume - Vocals & Bass
Chuck Keller - Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Mike Miller - Drums
Doug Overbay - Rhythm Guitars
The band are proud of their Return to Dust and Incendiary full lengths and are working on covers for a small project before work begins in earnest on the next album, as well as looking toward more opportunities to expand into other cities and countries and bring their infernal thrashing death metal to eager ears.