NEWS FROM UNDER EDEN

2011 News Wrap-Up:

2011 is now behind us, and we would like to thank everyone who listened to (and hopefully bought) the new album, came out to a show or spread the word about UNDER EDEN.  We also want to thank Eric Thon and Pat Morris for being part of the band.  Regarding the lineup, we are planning to continue on as a four-piece indefinitely, harnessing the power of technology to combine bass guitar with our existing live guitar parts.  It's working out great in rehearsal.  We do not yet have any dates officially confirmed for 2012 dates, but we will be again playing the Northern Wisconsin Metalfest, and hope to explore some new cities and venues with friends both new and old.  2011 was a year of many opportunities but also many challenges, so we have high hopes for the new year.

As mentioned in an earlier news item, issues with Greek customs have delayed the main shipment of Science CDs from reaching us, but Sleaszy Rider Records has informed us that they have made progress in this matter, so this will hopefully result in the album being more widely available soon.  Regardless, we have begun rehearsing material for the next album!  While this will not see the light of day until 2013, new songs will work their way into the set list over the course of this year.

Lastly a couple of new reviews round out this update.  First, our friends at Brutalism gave The Science of Self-Defeat 4 our of 5 stars: "Overall, this album is a great representation of the artistry an American metal band can produce when they don't dive into the metalcore sound that is so prominent in the U.S. The musical skill and atmospheric quality on this album is definitely worth a listen."  Meanwhile, Axes to Grind e-zine says the following en route to a 9 out of 10 score: "The complexity of the band’s music embeds an epically dark atmosphere with ensuing melodic enlightenment.  You really get an accomplished, full metal experience with The Science of Self-Defeat.   I think you will find that UNDER EDEN appeals to a wide audience, yet stays true to the underground."

More news will be coming soon, so stop by again!

Fall 2011:

Lineup News & Miscellaneous Items

After what was originally planned as a one-time fill-in gig, Patrick Morris ended up remaining a part of UNDER EDEN for all of our summer/fall shows, including our Revocation and Firewind/Arsis/Nightrage opening slots, Northern Wisconsin Metalfest appearance and The Science of Self-Defeat CD release show.  Unfortunately, his schedule for November and beyond doesn't allow for him to continue on with us, so we bid him thanks and farewell.  We will perform as a four-piece in the coming months while seeking a new bassist.

In other news, songwriting is well underway for the next (third) album, and we will begin rehearsing new material over the coming weeks and months.  There are still some songs from The Science of Self-Defeat to be added to the live set, so expect a steady stream of previously un-played songs at shows in the near future.

It was only a matter of time before economic and political turmoil affected band operations, and that is now the case as the strikes in Greece are delaying the shipment of CDs out of the country.  A small quantity of The Science of Self-Defeat CDs have shipped to various distros and trade labels, but we have been informed that many (including our own latest shipment) are held up in Greek customs due to the strikes.

Summer 2011:

The Science of Self-Defeat Getting Great Reviews

The first couple of reviews are in, courtesy of No Clean Singing, Metal Believe and Behind the Veil.  Metal Believe gives The Science of Self-Defeat a 9 out of 10 score, and says "The Science of Self-Defeat is, without a doubt, like a book waiting to be understood, not only read and it pretty much has it all - amazing guitar riffs, fast and almost inhuman drums, well thought growls and most of all - a concept," and "All songs are agressive, raw, fierce, energetic and leave you begging for more."  No Clean Singing doesn't give numerical scores, but says "This album blew me away" and "At times, the band is in full-on attack mode, like a school of feeding piranha, all flashing teeth and boiling water and blood, lots of blood. At other times, soaring melodies lift the songs above the low-end pummeling and the gravel-throated growling, or head-spinning guitar solos flash across the music or weave through it, switching the mood from buoyant to melancholy."

Meanwhile, Behind the Veil ranks the album 8.5 out of 10 and says "UNDER EDEN have managed to perfectly fuse death metal with blackened thrash and thus create a blend of their own, a sound that bears their stamp and sets them apart from the majority of death metal bands out there. Their songs have the necessary extremity that's also enhanced by the great vocals of the band's singer, but they also have a melodic side that comes forth through their beautiful guitar riffs and solos. The rhythm section is a true state of the art with the drumming being truly stunning and the tempos varying from mid paced to ultra fast with the latter of course dominating over the compositions. "The Science of Self-Defeat" is a fine example of death/thrash metal and I urge the fans of this sound to check it out, because such gems shouldn't remain hidden!"

If you see a review that isn't posted here, or are a reviewer yourself and have written one, please email us at band@under-eden.net with a link!

Official Press Release: UNDER EDEN Announces New Lineup

UNDER EDEN has added new vocalist Alex Gorgos and bassist Patrick Morris to its ranks.  Both are veterans of the Minnesota extreme metal community, sharing the stage with UNDER EDEN while playing in Vulnerata and Demonicon respectively, and were introduced at the June 19th show at Station 4 in St. Paul, MN.  Alex has filled in on vocals previously, and contributed guest vocals to the song "Exiled from Existence" on the new album The Science of Self-Defeat, making him the ideal choice to take over for the departing Eric Thon.  The new lineup is pictured below - Pat and Alex are on the right.  (Photo by Adam Strobach.)

Joining as the band's first full-time vocalist from 2003 through 2011, Eric first recorded with the band on the promotional single "Creation Defies Creator," which marked UNDER EDEN's first radio airplay.  In addition to vocal duties on all recordings during his tenure, Eric also served as engineer and co-producer on the Phoenix on Frozen Wings EP and The Science of Self-Defeat full-length.  After changing careers, returning to college (and earning a second degree) and getting married all in the time between albums, he has a number of new adventures beyond the realm of metal, and we wish him all the best.

Spring 2011:

Official Press Release: UNDER EDEN Completes The Science of Self-Defeat, Signs with Sleaszy Rider Records

UNDER EDEN has completed the mixing and mastering of The Science of Self-Defeat, which is immediately available for digital download from CD Baby (http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/UnderEden) and will be available from CD Baby's digital partners - iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody and others - over the course of May.  The physical CD will be released in June via Sleaszy Rider Records (www.sleaszyrider.com) of Greece; an exact release date will be announced shortly.  It is a concept album consisting of ten eleven tracks, intended to be heard in sequence from beginning to end.  The recording lineup is the same as for The Savage Circle.  (As previously announced, Jamie Strobach has since taken over for the departing Josh Fetzek on drums.)

The cover art was once again provided by Tim Boughton of Dissonance Studios, who also created the cover of The Savage Circle, and is pictured below.

"Exiled from Existence," the first single from the new album, can be heard here: http://soundcloud.com/under-eden/under-eden-exiled-from