Haunting Eden - Deliverance
CD Info
2010
Independent Release
12 Tracks
English Lyrics
It’s relatively clear that Evanescence is no longer the only female fronted band of note in the US. They may be the headliners, but there are others. Not as many as in Western Europe, but then, we Americans appear to be behind Western Europe in a lot of things these days. So, I’m not entirely surprised when a strong sounding female fronted group appears on the scene, and I’m pleasantly surprised as well. Haunting Eden is clearly one of the top new acts, this is their first release and they appear to have the formula down, maybe not to the level of an Ex Libris, but certainly on the right track. The band is from Atlanta, long a capital of good music in this country so no big surprise there. And they are fronted by a lovely vocalist, JoLee, who has the musical talent to make an impression. The rest of the band has talent as well, and the composition suggests these folks have some understanding of the music. It’s more of an American sound, no symphonic, no full opera vocal, not dark Gothic lyrics although the lyrics are sufficient to spend time listening to. JoLee is responsible for those lyrics and they speak to her experience in life. Interestingly enough, JoLee’s not from the South, which would explain the lack of a soft southern accent that is found nowhere on the CD. But, her pronunciation is solid, you know what she’s talking about without having to read the lyrics.
Haunting Eden is American metal, guitar driven, drums pounding. There are no classical elements; this is pure metal. The structures are different from what we get from Western Europe. It takes me back to the days in the parks in Atlanta when we jammed for hours with the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, with Ronnie and the girls doing their brand of Southern Rock. Skynyrd was one of the few bands in those days to utilize female singers. . . generally as backups, but it sure was nice to see a hot ‘lanta chick on stage with a voice. Well, JoLee has a voice too, and she leads the band. We’ve come a long way baby.
It’s difficult to describe the Haunting Eden music, at least to compare it to another contemporary sound. I feel better going back to a combination of that Skynyrd guitar sound with a relatively strong female vocal. It’s like "Gimme Three Steps" with a female vox. If you liked Ronnie’s background metal, and like a female vocal, this will work for you. And having spent a little time with Gary and the boys, I have a feel for that Skynyrd guitar, even played Gary’s once or twice. And that’s the way they like it in the South. That guitar better be cranking or don’t waste our time. Haunting Eden’s guitar player, David Gruttadauria seems to have that Gary Rossington guitar thing down pretty well, don’t doubt that I’ll be asking him to let me try it out on my next trip to Atlanta. . . probably with Robin Stryker there to take notes. As only Robin can take notes.
It’s also interesting to see an Atlanta band with a CD named Deliverance. Now I know some of you may be too young to remember the movie of the same name but the term Deliverance has long had certain connotations in the deep South, especially Atlanta. Never actually asked JoLee about that during our conversation, she’s way too young, but it sure does beg the question. It works here, however. There is a certain level of deviance in some of the lyrics, a certain level of hurt and anger that does, in some ways, approximate what that Burt Reynolds movie was all about. I asked JoLee about the lack of a keyboard component in the music, she didn’t see the need. I can see where it might not work with the musical themes presented here; this is a different direction than the European Gothic.
Haunting Eden pretty much stays in the lyrical direction JoLee suggests reflect her perception of life. That can take some interesting turns. As I mentioned, there’s not a significant Gothic theme, but, she can get close at times. La Tempesta, which actually includes some limited Spanish, reflects this direction. It may not take the ethereal direction reflected in the French or Dutch Gothic, but it does reflect a perception of the darkness of life. LoLee sings:
Battered, bruised and bleeding inside
Forced to live where many have died
In the corner, shapes, sights and sounds
Of my mind, lost and dancing around
The song takes one of the more European directions on the CD, musically, as well. And, it’s followed by a lovely instrumental that showcases a lovely Spanish sounding guitar, one with an almost Gothic quality to it. Out of character for the CD, but well worth the listen. I don’t recall this on a Skynyrd CD, but then, I don’t remember much from those days. Which is probably a good thing. Unfortunately, the police tend to keep records, which limits my mobility.
The CD begins with what might be considered traditional on a Western European production, a true Gothic sound, with some heavenly vocals over a stylized guitar pattern, short but leading to the pounding second selection, Waking Up. Here we’re introduced to the HE musical motif. And it’s hard metal with a hard message.
Waking up. Do unto others.
When a gun is in your face there's a sudden revelation
you must stay alive
Point the barrel at the brains of another human being
you gotta survive
Welcome to the life in the good ol’ USA. It’s a direction some cultures may consider prehistoric, but, being a resident of the deep South, this sounds pretty much reflective of what most of us here live with on a daily basis, especially having just been involved in an incident like this personally in the last couple weeks.
Other songs on the CD tend to follow this guitar driven motif. The vocals may soften on occasion, but they are generally driving, in order to keep up with the wailing guitars that move the music forward. One of the more interesting titles may be Like Water; it sure spoke to my existence. Again, the guitars take some singularly Southern riffs, and the vocals carry the message, as it needs to be presented.
The prick and pain of the truth of my own words unspoken
There's no deliverance. Days pass by in a blur. Dreams are broken
All that we have is what this time allows
I got my eyes on it, my prize is the here and the now
Oh, life is not what we're sold
Don't it make you feel old?
You have no idea JoLee. . . . But the guitar tracks more than make up for the personal reflections that may not be entirely positive. And that’s the strength of the music here, it may not be pretty in lyric, but it sure sounds right. And that’s often enough. And lucky for you, you can see ol’ Davey cranking out this particular guitar segment here. A more complete video of another song, with vocals, can be found here.
Southern Rock, as we use to say, is forever. Well, this brand of Southern Female Fronted Metal seems to be carrying on the tradition. And it ain’t half bad. Damn straight.
9 /10
