Ascension of the Watchers is a band that was started by Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory, G/Z/R) and John Bechdel (Ministry, Fear Factory, Killing Joke, Prong, Murder, Inc.), and is not a mere side project as some believe. They wrote and recorded their first release, Iconoclast at Bechdel's home in rural Pennsylvania. Iconoclast was originally released on 12" Vinyl Record but has since been released on CD.

In October of 2005 they headlined The Surfacing Tour with Bechdel's other band, False Icons...