Golden Robot Records is proud to announce the signing of Ashes of Autumn, welcoming the band to the label as they prepare for the release of their forthcoming album, The Darker Side of Now.
The partnership marks an exciting new chapter for Ashes of Autumn, bringing their creative vision together with Golden Robot Records’ global reach and industry experience. The connection came through Steve Rivera, whose introduction to the label began the conversations that led to the signing.
For vocalist and songwriter Melanie Flynn, finding a label that understood the bigger picture behind Ashes of Autumn was key.
“From our very first meeting with Mark and Kay, it was clear to me that GRR wasn’t simply another label looking to sign another band. There was vision and intention behind the conversations, an interest in where Ashes of Autumn is now, but importantly, where we could go. I’ve always been incredibly protective of what Ashes of Autumn represents and the reasons behind the music we create. Finding people who wanted to understand the bigger picture, the music, the stories, the visual world around it and what we’re trying to build, means a great deal to me. I’m also incredibly grateful to Steve Rivera for making that initial connection. Sometimes people come into your world at exactly the right time, and this was definitely one of those moments.”
Drummer and producer Stefan Helbo adds: “The timing couldn’t feel more fitting as we prepare to release The Darker Side of Now. There has been an enormous amount of ourselves poured into this album, and we’re incredibly excited to have Golden Robot Records alongside us as we finally get it out into the world. This feels like the beginning of a really exciting new chapter for Ashes of Autumn.“
The first release of this new chapter is ‘2020’, out September 10 via Golden Robot Records, with the single available to pre-save now. Written at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘2020’ captures the fear, confusion and uncertainty of a world suddenly facing something none of us fully understood.
Pre-save ‘2020’ HERE
“I wrote 2020 from inside that moment, before there was hindsight, before we knew how the story would unfold,” explains Flynn. “It’s a snapshot of the disbelief, isolation and uncertainty of a strange and frightening time that, in one way or another, connected all of us.”
With The Darker Side of Now on the horizon, Ashes of Autumn are ready to take their next step alongside Golden Robot Records. ‘2020’ is out September 10 via Golden Robot Records. Pre-save now and stay tuned for more from Ashes of Autumn.
Formed in 2019, Ashes of Autumn have carved out a place in the Australian rock scene with their blend of emotional depth, melodic strength and hard-rock grit, earning festival appearances and high-profile support slots along the way.
The arrival of drummer and producer Stefan Helbo in 2023 sparked a powerful creative partnership with vocalist and songwriter Melanie Flynn, becoming the driving force behind the band’s next chapter.
Together, they created The Darker Side of Now – an immersive project exploring adversity, trauma, loss, mental health, resilience and hope. Rather than presenting the album as a single release, Ashes of Autumn are unfolding it chapter by chapter, pairing each song with cinematic visuals and documentary-style content that offers an intimate look into the stories behind the music.
With international collaborators including guitarist and producer Tommy Denander, mixer Matt Dougherty and mastering engineer Elliot James Mulhern, The Darker Side of Now delivers a powerful fusion of melodic rock, heavier elements and cinematic storytelling.
Now signed to Golden Robot Records, Ashes of Autumn are preparing to take their music and message to international audiences, delivering an intensely energetic live experience led by Flynn’s powerhouse vocals and a commitment to making listeners feel seen, understood and less alone.
