Pittsburgh local music spotlight: Ashes Awaken

Mike Palm
Monday, Aug. 11, 2025 8:05 a.m. | Monday, Aug. 11, 2025 8:05 a.m.

Ashes Awaken

Ashes Awaken released its first single “A Better Way” on Aug. 29, 2025.

Ashes Awaken may be the new studio project of Michael Stover, owner of Pittsburgh-based MTS Management Group, but the first single “A Better Way” has existed for a while.

“The original version was written when I was about 20 years old, so it’s been around for many years. It was much more ‘pop metal’ back then. Very Stryper-like … melodic with harmonies on the chorus. The pre-chorus didn’t exist,” Stover said. “I added that when I re-recorded a demo of it for my project, Angelspeak. Now, the basic melody is still there, but the chord progressions and tempo are very different. Doesn’t sound like the same song … and I think I love this version more than the original!”

The band will likely be a studio project with no plans for live performances, but there is a goal behind the music.

”To spread the good news of Jesus Christ. To tell people that, if he can make a change in me, once a non-believer, then he can change anyone,” Stover said. “He is real, and he’s spectacular! (Seinfeld reference.) But seriously, I want to get my songs out there and hopefully, touch someone’s life and make a difference.”

Stover had a mixed opinion on whether the metal community is more welcoming to openly Christian bands than in years past.

“There were a bunch of successful Christian acts back in the hair metal days … Stryper being the biggest. Holy Soldier, Barren Cross, Guardian, X-Sinner. All great bands. I think they crossed over with the metal crowd pretty well,” he said. “But it’s definitely harder to reach a mainstream metal crowd. That’s what’s to be expected though. Jesus never said it would be easy living a Christian life, and that we would face persecution. It’s sticking to your guns and sharing the message with love and in a respectful way that will win in the end.”

Stover filled in TribLive on what else to know about Ashes Awaken:

Band: Ashes Awaken

Band members: Michael Stover (drums/songwriter). The rest are hired studio musicians

Founding story: This is a brand new project, so 2025. The current single, “A Better Way” has evolved from its original version that was played in my band, Forever Endeavor, many years ago. I’m using this current lineup to record my Christian metal songs, to spread the good news and to tell the story of my redemption through salvation after eight years of addiction. I’ve been drug free since 2009 and alcohol free since 2018.

Origin of band’s name: Ashes Awaken comes from my testimony. God makes beauty from ashes. He raises the dead to life. So, the fact that he took this wretched soul, who was an atheist by the way, washed him clean of his demons, and turned him into a successful businessman, a devoted family man and a soldier for Christ … it just blows my mind.

For fans of: Stryper, Skillet, Narnia, Whitesnake, Eclipse

Influences: Stryper, Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi

Releases: “A Better Way” single, Aug. 29, 2025; Full length is due early 2026.

How to find them: Band info can be found at mtsmanagementgroup.com.

Three other Pittsburgh area bands to check out: XDB, Gary Pratt, Noble Hops

Favorite pizza shop: Lascola’s Pizzeria, New Kensington

Mike Palm is a TribLive digital producer who also writes music reviews and features. A Westmoreland County native, he joined the Trib in 2001, where he spent years on the sports copy desk, including serving as night sports editor. He has been with the multimedia staff since 2013. He can be reached at mpalm@triblive.com.

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