Astra

Astra is a group from Oslo, Norway. The name is used by more than one act, but the band associated with progressive rock, psychedelic rock, progressive metal and stoner rock releases records as a changing line-up rather than a fixed project.

History

The band begins in 2001 under the name Silver Sunshine in San Diego, California. It issues an eponymous debut album in 2004 on Empyrean Records, followed by the EP A Small Pocket of Pure Spirit in 2005 on the same label. After the departure of original drummer Iain Andrew Sclater, the group brings in drummer and multi-instrumentalist David Hurley in 2006, and its sound and line-up evolve.

The group then adopts the name Astra. At that point the line-up includes Richard Vaughan on guitar, mellotron and vocals; Conor Riley on guitar, mellotron, ARP Odyssey, organ and vocals; Stuart Sclater on bass; David Hurley on drums, flute and other instruments; and Brian Ellis on guitar and Moog.

Releases

Astra’s debut full-length album, The Weirding, is released in 2009. Its second album, The Black Chord, follows in 2012. The band later changes its name again to Birth and releases the album Born in 2022.

Style

The group’s music is associated with progressive rock, psychedelic rock, progressive metal, stoner rock and psychedelic sounds. The shift from Silver Sunshine to Astra reflects a move in both sound and personnel.

Other act with the same name

An Italian progressive metal band also uses the name Astra. That group starts as a Dream Theater cover band, wins the first Italian Official Dream Theater Tribute Band Contest in 2002, records its debut album About Me: Through Life and Beyond at the end of 2005, and releases it in 2006. Its second album, From Within, follows in 2009.