Asrai
In English folklore an Asrai is a type of aquatic fairy, similar in some ways to mermaids, nixies, selkies, sirens or morgens. Some sources describe them as timid and shy, standing only between two and four feet tall, while others depict them as tall and lithe. They are said to look like beautiful young maidens, sometimes as young as children, while actually being hundreds of years old. They may have webbed hands and feet, resembling some descriptions of selkies.
If an Asrai is seen by a man, her beauty is so great that, according to folklore, the man will instantly wish to capture her. The Asrai are as deathly afraid of capture as they are of the sun, because if captured or if a single ray of sunlight touches them, it is said that they die and turn into a pool of water. They are, however, said to enjoy bathing in the moonlight. Other sources claim they use the moonlight as food.
The tale told of one fisherman who caught an Asrai claims that the touch of her skin was so cold, that where the Asrai touched his arm while pleading for her freedom—and her life—the flesh has never been warm since.
Asrai (band)
Asrai is a band from Schiedam, Netherlands. Their music is mostly on the border between gothic and metal genres.
History
Asrai's roots lay in the 1980s. The band was formed in 1985 and changed their name in 1988 to Asrai. Several of its members played in various punk and new-wave bands. At that time their music already had a melancholic dark side.
Asrai released several demo-tapes from 1989 to 1994 ("the Blue tape", "So clear that you couldn't tell where the water ended and the air began", "Love is a Lie", "Live in a package"). Finally in 1997 they released their debut CD, As Voices Speak. This CD was noticed and signed to the label Poison Ivy. On this label a German release of As voices speak was issued.
From 1997 Asrai took time to perfect their sound and to find the right line-up.
In the meantime, contracted by Transmission Records, Asrai recorded their second CD Touch in the Dark. Roman Schoensee produced this CD while Sascha Paeth mixed it. The CD was recorded in both Holland (Excess Studio) and Germany (Beautiful Lake Studio).
Podcasts:
Asrai
ALBUMS
- Pearls in Dirt released: 2008
- Touch in the Dark released: 2004
- As Voices Speak released: 1997
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Pearls In Dirt
by: AsraiBuried her head in her hands
(Delilah, you liar)
Buried the sun with the mysteries within
(She craves the sin)
She played her perfection
The lie was waiting to be
The words left unspoken
Now you will see…
Her lips are sealed
And dead in a kiss
The promises, she made and touched her lips
Sleep through the fear, through the din
(Go to sleep my little one)
Blood on my lips from the dagger that I kissed
(Kiss the pain away)
Now death I have tasted
Though I had sensed your treason
Your virtues lay wasted
So it will be…
Her lips are sealed
And dead in a kiss
The promises, she made and touched her lips
Burn in her fire with your passion within
Go to sleep my little sin