On November 9th, 2008 Thrash/Melodic metal group, As Eden Burns, headlined a show at Java Junction as part of their first tour after being signed to the Willowtip label. Fellow tour mates Halo of Gunfire and Aurora Black both from California were on the bill as well as a small handful of local bands that included the note worthy Bridge to Suffering.
If you have ever been to Java Junction to buy coffee or see a show you know about the size of the place. The back room has been modified into a “theater” with a small stage and some sound equipment. The room is probably not much bigger than your living room at home. If you are looking for an intimate experience with an up and coming and/or local band this is the place to go. Anywhere you stand is within spitting distance of the band. Keep that in mind just in case you encounter a guitarist with a salivating problem at Java Junction.
I was able to catch the band before the show and talk about the rise and tribulations of As Eden Burns. We dove straight into the history of the band which ended up being far more of a history than I had imagined. The band has suffered through a handful of line-up changes. Many a band can attest to similar issues but AEB has only been around since 2004 and has had about 5 major line-up changes and is currently with no vocalist. They are currently borrowing Aurora Black's singer for the duration of their current tour. The current lineup puts Ryan on bass, Lee on drums, and Chris and Harrison on Guitars.
It didn't seem to me that the absence of their beloved friend and vocalist effected the band's drive and heart for the music they play. The guys were in good spirits and played an excellent show. It was the perfect music to bang your head to with hard riffs and harsh screaming vocals. If your into heavy metal this is the band you want to see at a small venue such as Java Junction. These guys brought the heat even if the room was next to empty. Its a sad thing when a band has to go on stage at 11'clock on a Sunday when the crowd has mostly gone home but these guys did what they had to do and did it well.
Despite their troubles, AEB has pushed on and has released their long awaited first album under the Willowtip label, “The Great Celestial Delusion”. The album came out late November and is available for some listening and purchasing at the bands myspace page at www.myspace.com/asedenburns. You can also check out the music video for “Ever Again” and stay tuned for the music video for “The Great Celestial Delusion” due out soon.
The band gives passing mention that At the Gates and early In Flames may have influenced their music but makes it clear that they really don't even listen to metal when they are together. Whatever their influences may be the band is hardly aware of them which is probably a good thing.
We talked a little more about the content of their music which naturally lead me to inquire about lyrics. Quickly thereafter Guitarist Chris whipped out his phone and gave it to Harrison to read the email sent to him by ex-vocalist Wiliam who has written all the lyrics up to this point. The email reads:
“Its all just social commentary drenched in archaic symbolism and dramatic imagery. Many of the songs have vague story lines with enduring themes set long ago. Such as lost council and untimely doom whichrefers to effects of misguided goodwill. Its crucial to me that my lyrics end up as timeless as possible which results in them seemingly relatively vague. If I get to detailed the message ceases to be universal and often comes across as cheesy. I typically start with an overall idea for the song and the build the actual words in rhythm around the flow of the song.”
Harrison expanded on William's words by saying, “We don't want to get too specific about it. We are not about a message. We are not about tearing down people. We are not about building up people. We are just about calling it as we see it.”
Chris spoke up for the final word, “Check out our record. I hate to say the standard response but we had a lot of fun with it. We really like the lineup on it. We appreciate it and everything that its for. Its been a long time coming. Its been a big dream for all of us to just get out there and do it.”
The new album entitled The Great Celestial Delusion can be purchased at the bands myspace (www.myspace.com/asedenburns) or at any show that they play. A list of upcoming shows is also at the bands myspace page.
