CLOCKTOWERS have released their new single “Ashes,” the centerpiece of their upcoming debut record Genesis. Formed in 2022 by Tarek Puska and Dakota Logan after a chance reunion in Reily, Ohio, the band quickly rediscovered the chemistry built during their years together in a previous metal project. What began as an impromptu jam soon became a focused writing partnership, leading to a record that merges generations of influence into a sound that is unmistakably their own.
“Ashes” showcases that identity with striking clarity. The song begins with a hypnotic riff before crashing into full force, weaving articulate guitars, a driving rhythm, and vocals that carry both grit and vulnerability. The track shifts between moments of groove and intensity, giving it a dynamic edge that feels alive and unpredictable.
The lyrics pull directly from experience. Written during the aftermath of a decade-long marriage, “Ashes” confronts separation, regret, and the possibility of reconciliation. Its emotional weight is underscored by a performance that refuses to hide behind artifice. The words, the delivery, and the music all carry the same unfiltered honesty.
For the single, CLOCKTOWERS were joined by Jason Viebrooks (HEATHEN, GRIP INC., EXHORDER) on bass and guitar alongside Dakota, and Todd J. Farler on drums, whose sharp, swinging energy adds another layer of urgency. While the record Genesis remains a two-man effort with Tarek on vocals and Dakota on instruments, these contributions brought “Ashes” into sharper focus without diluting the band’s vision.
The accompanying video captures the song’s intimacy and intensity, with Tarek performing the lyrics directly to his wife off-camera. The single artwork, portraying a redhead, continues that personal thread, grounding the release in the story that inspired it.
With Genesis soon to follow, “Ashes” marks the arrival of CLOCKTOWERS with a sound that is bold, urgent, and entirely their own.
About CLOCKTOWERS:
CLOCKTOWERS is a genre-blending rock/metal duo that proves lightning can strike twice—first in the past, then in the most unexpected moment years later. The band was officially born in 2022, but the story begins long before that.
Vocalist Tarek Puska and multi-instrumentalist Dakota Logan first crossed paths in an earlier metal outfit that spent five years grinding through shows, songwriting sessions, and the chaotic rhythm of band life. Life eventually pulled them in different directions—but fate clearly had other plans. Years later, in the unassuming town of Reily, Ohio, the two reconnected by chance at a local pizza joint. A quick conversation turned into a jam session. One riff became a song—“Spirit Junkie”—and by the end of that session, CLOCKTOWERS had begun.
What followed was a creative eruption. Tarek and Dakota fell into a regular routine, meeting 2 to 3 days per week to write, explore sounds, and record from the ground up in a DIY home studio setting. Over the next two years, this process grew into their debut full-length album, Genesis—a record that pulses with heavy riffs, soaring melodies, and the kind of authenticity that only comes from lived experience and musical trust.
At its core, CLOCKTOWERS thrives on contrast and chemistry. Tarek, born in 1969, brings a lifetime of hard-earned perspective and vocal power rooted in classic metal and rock traditions. Dakota, born in 1995, injects fresh energy, fearless experimentation, and a modern edge that pushes the sound into uncharted territory. Their 25-year age gap isn’t a limitation—it’s a superpower. It allows the band to seamlessly blend old-school grit with new-school fire, delivering music that’s nostalgic without being dated, current without being trendy.
CLOCKTOWERS draws inspiration from a wide palette of heavy music: the swagger and electricity of AC/DC, the doom-soaked weight of BLACK SABBATH, the eerie theatricality of GHOST, the brooding darkness of TYPE O NEGATIVE, the bombast of KISS, and the razor-sharp muscle of METALLICA. Yet, these aren’t just influences—they’re launch pads. CLOCKTOWERS takes what’s familiar and twists it into something personal and raw, layering in textures, emotions, and hooks that make their sound unmistakable.
The band’s songwriting is deeply intentional. Some tracks stem directly from personal experience—loss, growth, heartbreak, and perseverance—while others flow from instinct and emotion, letting the pen follow the pulse of the heart. The result is music that hits hard not just sonically, but emotionally. Big choruses, pounding grooves, and intricate guitar work are matched with lyrics that are introspective, honest, and often cathartic.
One of their standout tracks, “Ashes,” caught the attention of Jason Viebrooks, known for his work with HEATHEN, GRIP INC., and now EXHORDER. Viebrooks lent his talents on bass and guitar alongside Dakota for the single, while Todd J. Farler, a seasoned drummer from Cincinnati, added a thunderous groove that elevated the track even further. It’s the only track on the record that features guest musicians—every other note, riff, and lyric on Genesis comes straight from the two founding members. That was a deliberate decision. CLOCKTOWERS is about preserving a raw, undiluted vision. No filler. No compromises.
With Genesis, CLOCKTOWERS has positioned itself not just as a band, but as a statement—a declaration that real, passionate, no-bullshit rock and metal is alive, evolving, and still capable of hitting you straight in the soul. Whether you’re a lifer raised on vinyl and leather jackets, or a newcomer looking for authenticity in a crowded digital landscape, CLOCKTOWERS offers something that resonates.
This is music forged in connection. Fueled by memory. Driven by instinct. And played with the kind of conviction that can only come from two people who live and breathe it.
CLOCKTOWERS is:
Tarek Puska – Vocals
Dakota Logan – All instruments (guitars, bass, additional production)
