In December 1999 New Zealand's DATURA, one of Australasia's most promising Acid-Stoner-doom bands split up. After releasing the amazing "Visions for the Celestial" the band trailed of into oblivion never to be seen again, only Craig Williamson, the bass player & vocalists survived....continuing alone as one of the country's best known psychedelic artifacts LAMP OF THE UNIVERSE. In 2008, feeling the need to get back into a more "heavy stoner acid rock" direction Williamson formed ARC OF ASCENT, recruiting firstly Guitarist Matt Cole-Baker and then Drummer John Strange to complete the line-up. "Circle of the Sun" is the bands debut album and continues onwards almost exactly where Daturas "Visions" left off. The heaviness is still present, but there is an added otherworldly texture dwelling inside, the guitars are dense and direct in feel -with an Egyptian sounding slant to Matt Cole-Bakers cosmic solos, the drumming powerful, solid and dynamic...and Williamson's "Eastern" vibes raise their head in almost every song, vocally, with the extra exotic instruments he brings to the table, and the music he has written for the group. Titles such as "Universal Form" & "Cosmic Eye" re-enforce the eastern-mystic feel the band creates, lyrically recalling Williamson's Lamp of the Universe style, blending almost seamlessly with the majestic heaviness and trippy interludes that the band creates...Take a hit, re-call your inner light, and enjoy the sound of a new beginning....the time is now....