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Alright, let's talk about Eternal Elysium: EE was formed in Nagoya in 1991 by Yukito Okazaki (guitar, vocals), Atsutoshi Tachimoto (bass), and Jiro Murakami (drums). Their name is a loose translation of the Zen Buddhist term Goku-Raku-jodo. They were initially influenced by classic heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath, Trouble and St. Vitus, as well as NWOBHM groups like Iron Maiden. The NWOBHM influence is most prominent on their demos, and their debut album Faithful from 1996: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpYlYWHDW_Y Unfortunately, numerous setbacks have plagued EE throughout their career, which is probably the main reason for their relative obscurity. Okazaki has been the leader of EE since the beginning, but his Crohn's disease has repeatedly sidelined him, leading to problems with both touring and recording. After Faithful, it was 4 years until the next EE album, and Tachimoto and Murakami were replaced by Eiichi Okuyama and Takashi Kuroda. This lineup change also brought a change in sound, with the band moving towards a more psychedelic sound influenced by traditional Japanese music, 60s and 70s rock, as well as the burgeoning stoner rock/doom scene of the late 90s. EE recorded material for a number of compilations and tribute albums, which eventually got them a contract from Meteor City, who released their 2nd album Spiritualized D in 2000. It's a really great record, so go listen to it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhRCkwOQlOU Their version of "Innocent Exile" is probably one of the more unique Maiden covers out there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJr3Wzhl7QU After more setbacks, and another complete lineup change, EE released Share in 2002. It's a solid album that doesn't reach the level of Spiritualized D, but still has some great highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuX-DSvYOR8 After yet another complete lineup change, EE finally stabilized with Antonio Ishikawa on drums, and Minnesota transplant Tana Haugo on bass and backing vocals. Haugo actually moved from the US specifically to join EE after meeting Okazaki while on a trip to Japan. This trio has released a whole bunch of excellent stuff, mostly engineered and produced by Okazaki himself: Searching Low and High (2005): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV4P2kjrdqA Split with Black Cobra (2007): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL5nNoeaERc Within The Triad (2009): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyBgcgMDI2c Highflyer EP (theme for wrestler Shinya Ishikawa) (2012): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAubRJMCQqg They do play shows and occasionally tour, but rarely outside Japan these days. A new album is apparently on the way.
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Dec 30, 2015 07:42
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| # ¿ May 6, 2024 10:26 |
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