A progressive metal band located in Fort Collins, Colorado, has recently released a barrel-aged whiskey to be first available on July 15th, 2023 held in the parking lot of Music City Hot Chicken, beloved locally-owned hot chicken tavern, championed for enriching the Colorado music scene.
A progressive metal band located in Fort Collins, Colorado, has recently released a barrel-aged whiskey to be first available on July 15th, 2023 at a large event held in the parking lot of Music City Hot Chicken, a beloved locally-owned Nashville style hot chicken tavern, championed for enriching the Colorado music scene. The release is a precursor to the band’s sophomore EP, which is set for release at the new year.
Made up of four members, AS WE RISE launched onto the ever-evolving and nationally revered Colorado music scene in 2021. Members include Hanna Wilder (lead vocals), Eric Romero (vocals, guitar), Mikus Shoemaker (bass guitar) and Oliver Comings (drums). With Wilder’s roaring vocals and backing by a tight sound of calculated guitar and anthemic percussion, AS WE RISE have quickly become a recognized fixture in the Colorado region and plan to embark on out-of-state tours in the upcoming year.
Recently hailed as a band to keep an eye on by Westword.com, sharing ‘when a local band such as AS WE RISE unleashes a banger like “WASTELAND,” it’s hard not to take notice, even for those unfamiliar with the complexities of the style’ … ’the band preaches a message of empowerment while addressing weighty topics that are rarely discussed in metal, including domestic abuse, depression and isolation.’
The AS WE RISE debut EP was kicked off at a Denver release party of high attendance in September of 2022. Their debut album has quickly gone on to be featured in regional media airplay and served as the band’s calling card to be asked to perform with national acts such as Saliva and Hemlock. In 2023, they co-headlined with larger regional acts and headlined Denver venues wanting to feature their unique driving sound and message. On August 25th of 2023, AS WE RISE will play with Adema and Smile Empty Soul in Fort Collins at The Coast, a popular venue that has an ongoing music schedule for bands of all genres.
In April of 2023, for their second year AS WE RISE was invited to play FoCoMX (Fort Collins Music eXperiment), a music festival sponsored by the Fort Collins Music Association that features 400 regional bands over a two-day period. Venues throughout the Old Town district and adjacent neighborhoods play host to bands and thousands of attendees make their way through the downtown area to see their favorite acts, as well as finding new discoveries. Now in its 15th year, FoCoMX is a beloved fixture of the local music world. AS WE RISE played a packed show at The Coast on the festival’s coveted Friday night installment.
In addition to “WASTELAND,” AS WE RISE plans to release another single from their upcoming EP this summer.
“Things have come together quickly for this band,” commented band founder and vocalist/guitarist Eric Romero. Romero, previously lead singer of metal band Autumn Burn and who is a seasoned musician from other bands in past years, stated that AS WE RISE has been well received in the Colorado scene and afforded multiple unique opportunities to support well known acts, as well as take part in projects such as the eagerly awaited collaboration whiskey with Feisty Spirits.
