Formed in New York by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Michael Laird, keyboardist Natalia Lincoln and guitarist Jeremy Bastard, Unto Ashes imitated the gothic/medieval style of Dead Can Dance. Moon Oppose Moon (Projekt, 2000) was a collection of sad, medieval and renaissance-inspired psalms for guitars, keyboards and acoustic instruments (Teach Me How to Drown, the instrumental Kosepkorbacs).

Saturn Return (2001) offered more recreations of medieval atmosphere (Morte o Merce, They Killed Three Little Maids) and one synth-pop ditty (Serve Me).

Empty Into White (Projekt, 2003) returned to the calm, austere wonder of the first album. Each song recreates a bit of the medieval world. The result is predictable, to say the least. Harpsichord and strings ruffle I Cover You with Blood. De Store Smerte is slightly more dramatic than the rest. A couple of exotic instrumentals (Bathsheba Writhing, Persephone) offer relief from the gloom and doom.

With the eclectic Grave Blessings (Projekt, 2005), that included covers of medieval songs as well as folk song, the three vocalists of Unto Ashes, namely Michael Laird (acoustic guitar, dulcimer, hurdy-gurdy, cello, drums, percussion), Natalia Lincoln (piano) and Mariko, found a mature balance of styles.

There is no groundbreaking idea on Songs for a Widow (Projekt, 2006), a collection of medieval and world folk music and operatic vocals that merely adds more numbers to the repertory. Other than setting Dante to Middle-Eastern music (Convivio), a splendid imitation of convent music (Intacta Sum) and the neoclassical instrumental vignette The Snow Leopard, there is little that stands out. You Will Never Know blends the trademark angelic vocals of Lincoln and Mariko with ruthless psychedelic guitar and booming percussion. The ghostly noise of Song For A Widow is probably the "darker" moment of the album. The other tracks tend to follow a more predictable path.