Achraf El Asraoui

Achraf El Asraoui is a distinguished Moroccan singer, composer, songwriter, and mixing/mastering engineer, known for his remarkable contributions to the progressive rock genre. El Asraoui’s dynamic musical career includes his contributions to Nine Skies, a progressive rock band known for albums like 5.20 and The Lightmaker. As both lead vocalist and composer, he has helped define the band’s sound, blending traditional influences with modern rock elements. 

His collaborations with renowned musicians such as Marco Minnemann, Adam Holzman, Steve Hackett, John Hackett, and Damian Wilson have solidified his place as a significant figure in the international progressive rock scene. 

With ACHELAS, Achraf El Asraoui is taking the creative liberty to express his rich inner world. His music is influenced by various styles and can not be labelled. He swings back and forth between progressive styles, combines various cultural influences, and creates mostly music that is colorful on one side, and every so often is carried by an underlying melancholic current.

"A few years back I presented a music radio show In England. Mostly playing Progressive Rock. Over time I introduced music from across a wide spectrum from Folk to Nu Metal. This reflected the taste, mindfulness, and desire of my listening Audience to hear not only what was familiar but also something different from the normal. 

On most mornings I would spend time at home doing chores whilst listening through numerous songs I‘d been sent by various bands, artists and promotors. This is how I came across the music of ACHELAS.

Whilst most of the music I got sent was ok just occasionally something would catch my ear. A great riff, a cool chorus, a clever lyric or just that piece of sonic magic that only music can produce. ACHELAS fell into the latter.

Hailing from Meknès in Morocco, ACHELAS‘ music draws on many different genres but is always underpinned by his folk like guitar work.

He carries on a tradition of music, especially Chaabi in his sound but always willing to draw on various influences be it African, European, or Asian. His music resonated with lots of my listeners from England, France, Germany, Austria, both North and South America and as far as The Land of The Rising Sun, Japan.

I hope you will find a connection with his music as many have done already. Music is the one true universal language, and our World is all the better for having musicians like ACHELAS."