EUPHORIUM, ASERAPHYMN

Website: www.iresonspub.com

Ireson’s Pub (Formerly “7th Street”) is a small Irish pub near the TN-VA state line that has been a main stay for metal bands and fans for the past several years. Although Ireson’s is a smaller venue it offers a great stage, pro lighting and PA (not to mention a built-in crowd of metal fans) ranking it among the best small clubs in the southeast for live music.

Euphorium opened the show with tracks from their debut CD “F.C.K.D.” This 4-piece, progressive metal act from Morristown, TN. has a pile-driver edge and a sense of humor courtesy of rhythm guitarist/vocalist “Dead Mark.” Euphorium melds the ferocity of old-school speed metal (Metallica, Slayer) with element of retro-punk (Black Flag, Misfits) and dash of folk humor.

These guys have a very cool free-form, improvisational approach to their live shows. Straying from the typical angry faces and silent treatment you get from many metal bands, front man “Dead Mark” opens with stories (which are the basis of the songs) setting up song such as “Death Erection,” “Paint by Numbers Jesus” and “Fuzzy Creatures.” Although not among the influences cited on their website, their style reminds me allot of “Transnational Speedway” era Clutch. Especially the Neal Falon(ish) song titles and overall slow, heavy groove satire of the music.

The final song of their set “It's a wonderful life” accounts a drunken evening upon which Mark had returned home requesting that his girlfriend make something to eat. She refuses, resulting in Mark screaming repeatedly “I just wanted some f*#king toast!” as the crowd looking at each other as if unsure if they should be frightened or amused.. * very funny * In the end, Ephorium played a tight set with enthusiastic crowd response.

If you are a fan of the prog. metal genre and Euphorium’s unique blend of prog. rock, spead metal and folk you might also want to check out bassist Bob’s solo project “SatanMas.”

Euphorium website: u4ium.com
Releases: “F.C.K.D”

SatanMas website: www.satanmas.com
Releases: “Saber Tooth Turtle” (2003),
“BIOTCH-X” (2004)

The first picture was taken at Ireson's Pub (where the show took place)
and the other two pictures were taken at “Heather's Hideaway” in Johnson City, TN.