Formed in Nashville in the mid–'90s, From Ashes Rise helped define the gloom–heavy thrash sound attributed to groups like His Hero is Gone, Systral and Tragedy. Along with Tragedy, the group then packed up the noise and relocated it in Portland where the sound was allowed to fester under the grey, Pacific Northwestern clime.

Representative of a staunchly underground breed of aggressive, basement punk, many heads devoted strictly to aesthetic were shocked at the band's hitching with Jade Tree. Drawing on obscure thrash bands from Scandinavia and Japan, as well as Discharge's venerated "D–beat," From Ashes Rise helps carry the aggro torch for Jade Tree.