When Benoît Galle (drums) and Frederic Lenfant (vocals) decided to go on with the project ASHES AND DUST after the first split, they had a very precise idea of the musical direction they wanted. They shared the same tastes for a music which would be full of energy, heavy and complex (according to these elements, the general but reductive term of progressive metal seems appropriate to define what they had on their mind). Thus they decided to look for a guitarist and a keyboard player.
Mathias Pegon was quickly engaged as guitarist since he both had a good technique and a broad musical culture (which would enable the band to widen his future horizons).
The perfect counterpart of Mathias was found in Damien Funfrock, a professional musician, who composed many musics for various cartoons. Again, his technique and his cultural openmindness make Damien the perfect keyboard player for ASHES AND DUST.
When Laurent Lesina saw one of the first gigs of ASHES AND DUST, he immediately wanted to join the band in order to play on stage with him. His wish finally became a reality and he is now the perfect second member of the rhythmic section.
Laurent and Benoît with their precise and discret technique support the tracks and enable the two solists to play their parts in the best conditions.
From the very start of the band, the aim was to create an original music which would be pleasant, complex and above all energic since ASHES AND DUST mainly is a stage band. Their first concerts quickly proved that they were on the right tack. Little by little, they did not only play covers: «Gutter Ballet» (Savatage), ªM.Crowley» (Ozzy), «Perfect Stranger» (Deep Purple)… but also their own compositions, such as «Silent sky», «Involved», «Time machine», «A god's present» and «Lost spirit». These tracks were recorded on the EP «In Silence».
Reactions from public and medias were immediately very positive, which pushed the band to go on this way.
With this first incentive experience, the band then started recording his first real album. It was a long and hard work. They had to face various problems during the recording but their friendship and motivation enabled them to finalize the ten tracks included on “Listen with eyes”.
Just before the final mixing of the album, the band played in Switzerland at the Donc Festival. They had a werm welcome and could present their new compositions on stage. Once more this concert was a success, since the jury of professionals designated ASHES AND DUST as the best band of the festival (among the twenty other bands of various musical styles).
Therefore, ASHES AND DUST will be invited on big concerts for 2004, particulary at the off-stage of the famous Montreux Festival.
In september 2003, after a long and hard (musical and financial) work-a souscription was launched by the band with success- the album has been produced in June 2004. After some shows, A&D has played 2 nigths (12 and 13 July 2004) in Montreux Festival. on the stage of la Rouvenaz and on the stage of le parc Vernex in guest of the Under the Sky Festival. Good show on the second night, with almost 400 people, who have appreciated the music of A&D, a real stage band ! At the end of 2004, Brennus label has decided to distribute the album \"Listen With The Eyes\" in Europe and overseas. Little by little, the project goes on and the best is get to come !