Hailing from South Wales, Asidhara have been in and around the hardcore scene over the past few years. Originally set up by vocalist Chuck & Guitarist Adam (also a member of Welsh band Casey) where the project started out between them both sending demos to each other in 2019.

“We were both writing in a similar style and had the same vision of what band we’d like to create. So we recruited some mates, most of which we’d played music with before.” (Chuck told No Echo).

This laid the path to their first release Killing Rites in October 2019. With their crossover style of hardcore, mixing that of 80’s thrash such as Megadeth, Metallica, Anthrax & Slayer. Their stuff goes hard, it feels like you’re back in medieval times sword fighting fantasy creatures. However, unfortunately due to the global pandemic in early 2020, this delayed them from playing shows.

With members of the band all coming from the intimate south wales scene, having previous projects and coming from already established bands Asidhara are taking the scene by storm.

With their crossover style of hardcore they have recently released their self titled debut album via The Coming Strife. With a hometown record release show on the 5th December this looks to be one you don’t want to miss.

I caught up with Chuck & Will after meeting them when they supported Still In Love at their record release show back in October to talk about where Asidhara began and what we can look forward to seeing from them in the near future. Who knows, maybe they’ll be hitting up a venue near you soon.

FIRST OF ALL WHERE ARE YOU GUYS BASED & HOW DID YOU ALL MEET?

We’re based in South Wales. Half the band live in Cardiff and half in Bridgend. I joined the band later, but it’s a fairly intimate scene in South Wales, so we all bump into each other eventually and naturally start bands.

WHAT WAS THE SCENE LIKE WHERE YOU WERE GROWING UP AND HOW DID YOU COME TO BE INVOLVED IN IT?

I grew up in the states and moved over to the UK 2017.

I’m from Baltimore, so I grew up going to shows at the venue down the street from my house that’s no longer there called Fletcher’s, which was owned by the same guy who ran a record store in my neighborhood called Sound Garden. All my spending money went to buying CDs and gig tickets.

I then started tagging along with some friends at the tail end of high school to go to hardcore shows at a legendary DIY space called Charm City Art Space (RIP). 2009-2015 was an amazing time for Baltimore Hardcore.

So many great bands that became friends. Trapped Under Ice, Mindset, Praise, In Between, Sacred Love, and of course Turnstile. Very cool to see Baltimore bands like Turnstile and End It doing big things.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME ASIDHARA?

If we were to tell you, we’d have to break up.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRBIE YOUR SOUND TO SOMEBODY WHO HASN’T HEARD YOU BEFORE?

Tough. That’s it.

WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU’VE BEEN FACED WITH?

Trying to figure out how many guitar solos is too many.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR ALL TIME FAVOURITE ARTISTS?

Too difficult to name only 3.

Lately, we’ve been bumping that new AFI record. That new T.S. Warspite 7” is awesome. I’ve been listening to The Final Agony record. Incredible band.

WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 SHOWS YOU’VE HAD THE PRIVILEDGE TO PLAY TO DATE & WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM VENUE TO PLAY IN THE FUTURE?

Aimee and Aaron from Rise Above Cancer have created an amazing scene in Swansea lately with some great bills of touring bands and invited us to play a few times. Those shows are always great.

Playing with Cold World, End It and Big Cheese in Newport a few years ago was also a highlight. Shout out to The Cab in Newport, too. Great DIY venue. It’s awesome to see tours coming through South Wales.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM TOUR TO BE ON?

The Big Four of course! Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. Don’t break up Megadeth, Dave!

YOU’VE ALL BEEN IN BANDS PRIOR TO THIS PROJECT, HOW DO YOU THINK TAT HAS HELPED SHAPE ASIDHARA? 

I think just playing in bands for so long, we’re pretty tight musically. We always just want to sound tight. Especially with the style of music we play. Practicing is better than not practicing. Bad gigs are bad!

WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE CRAZIEST EXPERIENCES YOU’VE HAD TOGETHER OVER THE YEARS?

I wish we could regale Motley Crue stories, but we’re fairly boring and just like going to the pub. 

WHO HAS BEEN SOME OF THE LARGEST INFLUENCES IN YOUR SOUND?

We definitely don’t rip off Iron Age. Definitely don’t listen to that band at all. Never heard of them, in fact.

WE CAN’T ALL BE MUSICIANS 24/7 SO WHAT JOBS/CAREERS DO YOU GUYS HAVE?

We all have 2 jobs. Rocking and thinking about rocking.

HAVE YOU GOT ANY HOBBIES/INTERESTS THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE PEOPLE?

Swords and pints are both pretty cool.

YOU’VE RECENTLY RELEASED YOUR DEBUT SELF TITLED FULL LENGTH ALBUM, WHAT WERE YOUR INFLUENCES & HOW HAPPY WERE YOU WITH HOW IT CAME OUT?

It’s difficult to say because these songs are collection of releases from over the past few years. There’s two new songs on top of five older songs. Our friend Tim at Woodcroft Audio engineered everything for us.

Influences are all over the place. 80s and 90s thrash. 00s Lockin Out stuff, NWOBHM. 

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU GUYS TOWARDS THE END OF 2025 & INTO 2026?

We have a record release show in Cardiff at Clwb Ifor Bach on 5th December with Sovereign, True Intent & Bigfoot. Try to play more shows in places we haven’t played before and finish up some new songs we’ve been working on.

FINALLY, HAVE YOU GOT ANY OTHER ARTISTS/FRIENDS YOU THINK THE PEOPLE SHOULD CHECK OUT?

South Wales bands: Shell, Violent Offence, The Dogs

Other UK bands: Still In Love, Grove Street, Inhuman Nature, Turn Of Phrase, Disengagement, Supernova

Baltimore bands: No Idols, Sinister Feeling, Polarview

Asidhara are set to play their hometown record release show this Friday 5th December at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff. With supports from Sovereign (their first time in Wales), True Intent & Bigfoot, if you are local this is a show you do not want to miss.

After catching the guys back in October supporting Still In Love at their record release show at Blondies I can safely say they are a good bunch of dudes and can put on one hell of a show!

If you love the crossover style of hardcore this will definitely get you in the mood.

Tickets are still available for the record release show this Friday and £1 from every ticket sold goes to Rise Above Cancer charity.

Link to tickets: https://clwbiforbach.seetickets.com/event/asidhara/clwb-ifor-bach/3521052

Check out the debut self titled album by Asidhara below.

Until next time I’ll catch you in the pit!

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