It has been a little over a month since I came back from Italy where I had the best time of my life hanging out with the guys of Eldritch and watching them play two gigs in their hometown. I would have posted this a little sooner but I was too busy recovering from all the excitement and madness I was having there. I've been an Eldritch fan since Seeds of Rage first came out. Thanks to Larry Kolota of Kinesis Records who turned me on to this band after writing a thumbs down review of their debut album, Seeds of Rage. The guy was deeply mistaken as I was impressed with what I heard! Love the way this band incorporates thrash & prog metal into their music while keeping it melodic. Seeds of Rage, Headquake & El Nino are perhaps my favorite albums of all time closely followed by A Portrait of the Abyss Within & Blacken Day. I grew up listening to them but have never seen the band live until now! So here is a brief account of how it all went down while I was there...
As I boarded off the train, I met the vocals behind the band Terence Holler himself! Great guy and very down-to-earth. Got me situated in my hotel and then had me over for supper at his house. Not only a talented singer but a great cook! But things really started to boil when he told me the band was having a rehearsal later that night! I was stoked as the other band members were arriving one by one and setting up their gear in the sound room. They played the whole set list planned for the gig on Friday! I was overwhelmed with emotion watching this band for the first time! They opened up with Reverse and played one of my all time favorite songs Ghoulish Gift and Incurably Ill to name a few including Nebula Surface (great beautiful song) Following the rehearsal, we all huddled around the table over some beers and shared some laughs. The day of the show soon came and I was ready for some more Eldritch! The band sounded very tight as they played Reverse again. Terry's singing voice is definitely very unique and one of the best in metal music today. The guy can even growl nicely without butchering the music like in the song Dusk Til Dawn. Then there is Eugene Simone, the guitar wizard, who never seizes to amaze me. He is one of the most underated guitarists of all time. The moment the Headquake intro Blood From the Cradle came on, I was instantly possessed by Eugene's guitar playing as they played Ghoulish Gift! But perhaps the most memorable moment was when the band invited me on stage as they played the last song of their set Incuarbly Ill off Seeds of Rage! The following morning, the excitement continued when my friend texted me from ProgPower that Eldritch had been oficially announced to play next year! I can certainly say this trip turned out far way better than I had expected! Time for the dozen thank yous that made my trip a blast!
Terry thanks for your hospitality, food, sneak preview of the new album and the T-shirts! especially that rare Eldritch T-shirt! amd most importantly the music! Kudos for Rudj "Cazares" for playing La Cucaracha. That song really made me feel right at home LOL. It was great meeting you and really appreciate the guitar pics man! Rafahell, thanks for the autogrpahed yet beat up drumstick! You certainly have technical talent! Drums were sounding awesome at the rehearsal! John, besides being a great bass player, I would like to hear more growling one the next album LOL. Second of all, seeing I made the long trip, I don't think you honestly can say "Houston, we have a problem" every again? Eugene thanks again for keeping the music of Eldritch alive. It was a great honor and experience meeting you in person finally. Can't wait for the new album! You rule the strings! Gabriele, it was also a great pleasure meeting you. Seems as though you have been smoothely adjusting with the band and wish you the best as the newest member of Eldritch. It was also a treat meeting former band members Martin and Dave and other fans at the show! You guys rule! And last but not least, thanks to Glen & company for bringing us ProgPower every year and givining bands a chance to showcase their music. See you all there!
As I boarded off the train, I met the vocals behind the band Terence Holler himself! Great guy and very down-to-earth. Got me situated in my hotel and then had me over for supper at his house. Not only a talented singer but a great cook! But things really started to boil when he told me the band was having a rehearsal later that night! I was stoked as the other band members were arriving one by one and setting up their gear in the sound room. They played the whole set list planned for the gig on Friday! I was overwhelmed with emotion watching this band for the first time! They opened up with Reverse and played one of my all time favorite songs Ghoulish Gift and Incurably Ill to name a few including Nebula Surface (great beautiful song) Following the rehearsal, we all huddled around the table over some beers and shared some laughs. The day of the show soon came and I was ready for some more Eldritch! The band sounded very tight as they played Reverse again. Terry's singing voice is definitely very unique and one of the best in metal music today. The guy can even growl nicely without butchering the music like in the song Dusk Til Dawn. Then there is Eugene Simone, the guitar wizard, who never seizes to amaze me. He is one of the most underated guitarists of all time. The moment the Headquake intro Blood From the Cradle came on, I was instantly possessed by Eugene's guitar playing as they played Ghoulish Gift! But perhaps the most memorable moment was when the band invited me on stage as they played the last song of their set Incuarbly Ill off Seeds of Rage! The following morning, the excitement continued when my friend texted me from ProgPower that Eldritch had been oficially announced to play next year! I can certainly say this trip turned out far way better than I had expected! Time for the dozen thank yous that made my trip a blast!
Terry thanks for your hospitality, food, sneak preview of the new album and the T-shirts! especially that rare Eldritch T-shirt! amd most importantly the music! Kudos for Rudj "Cazares" for playing La Cucaracha. That song really made me feel right at home LOL. It was great meeting you and really appreciate the guitar pics man! Rafahell, thanks for the autogrpahed yet beat up drumstick! You certainly have technical talent! Drums were sounding awesome at the rehearsal! John, besides being a great bass player, I would like to hear more growling one the next album LOL. Second of all, seeing I made the long trip, I don't think you honestly can say "Houston, we have a problem" every again? Eugene thanks again for keeping the music of Eldritch alive. It was a great honor and experience meeting you in person finally. Can't wait for the new album! You rule the strings! Gabriele, it was also a great pleasure meeting you. Seems as though you have been smoothely adjusting with the band and wish you the best as the newest member of Eldritch. It was also a treat meeting former band members Martin and Dave and other fans at the show! You guys rule! And last but not least, thanks to Glen & company for bringing us ProgPower every year and givining bands a chance to showcase their music. See you all there!
