With the release of Testament – The Best Of Eden’s Curse, being guests at the recent Michael Schenker Fest and about to embark on their own UK tour in March, the multi-national Eden’s Curse are preparing to head out on their own headline tour this April. Despite which, Paul Logue, the band’s bass player and main songwriter, took time out to answer a Q & A interview for general release that you can read here at RAMzine…
Congratulations on the release of your Testament – The Best Of Eden’s Curse album, Paul. Does that mean you guys are splitting up now?
Paul Logue: Ha, ha! No, but I get the context. A lot of band’s seem to break up and then release a Best Of album to fulfill contractual obligations. But I hate to disappoint you – we are going nowhere!
So why now then?
Paul Logue: The timing of the release came via discussions with our label AFM Records. We have such an open and close relationship, having worked together for over 12 years and we are constantly bouncing ideas off each other. We both felt it was the perfect time, especially with us heading out on a big UK tour with Michael Schenker Fest. One of our main aims on that tour was obviously to win over new fans and Testament would hopefully be a great tool for helping convert those people who liked what we were doing on the night into hardcore fans.
Testament is not your typical Best Of release that has two or three CDs full of the band’s greatest songs. Instead you opted for one disc with fourteen of the band’s best songs and a second disc of bonus tracks and a brand new song. Can you explain why?
Paul Logue: Sure! The aim is simply to appeal to fans both old and new.
Disc one is primarily aimed at potential new fans. If you always fancied checking out our music and don’t know where to begin this, in our opinion, is a great starting point. For the guys that have the albums already, then it’s a good compilation with arguably all our big songs on one CD.
Disc two was compiled especially with our long-time followers in mind. We are very much a band who listens to its fan base and for many years we have been asked “Can you release all the bonus tracks on one disc?” Unfortunately, for contractual reasons, that was unable to happen until now, as we extended our worldwide deal with AFM Records and they now hold all the rights. There are a couple of extra special tracks that have not seen the light of day on general release before and of course a brand new song called ‘Forever’.
Who chose the tracks for the best album and put the running order together?
Paul Logue: I chose the songs with our A&R director at AFM Records, Mr Timo Hoffmann. I put together the running order exactly like we would perform it as a set list, if we were playing it live, and I think it really works.
In April 2019 you will undertake the Testament tour in the UK. What will feature in the set?
Paul Logue: We will play Testament in full along with the new song ‘Forever’.
And you have two amazing support bands in Mob Rules and Degreed as part of a triple package?
Paul Logue: Yes, that’s right! Mob Rules are one of my favourite bands, but I have never seen them live before. So naturally I was delighted when they accepted our offer. Degreed are relatively new to me. I have heard the name before but only caught them live for the first-time supporting H.E.A.T in Glasgow and then we played together in Malmo at Melodic Rock Fest Scandinavia in Sweden this past summer. So, I kept them in mind when it came to looking for a third band for the tour.
We worked very hard on getting a package together that really stood out for the fans, and when it was announced it seemed to receive a very positive response. The proof is in the pudding though and it’s all about how many people turn out for the shows though. So, get your tickets bought people!
Speaking of tours, you are just hot off the UK tour supporting Michael Schenker Fest. How was that experience?
Paul Logue: The tour was excellent. As I mentioned above, our main aim was to win new fans and we certainly did that. We played very well every single night and got better as the tour went on. Some of the stage times were a little earlier than we would have liked, as Michael was playing a near three-hour set, but beggars cannot be choosers and we were delighted to be involved and playing on some of the UK’s most iconic stages.
What shows were the highlights?
Paul Logue: Glasgow, as always! SWG3 was packed and the gig went like a dream. We opened the Hard Rock Hell XII festival in North Wales in front of a very full room and London at the iconic O2 Forum in Kentish Town was superb.
What’s next for Eden’s Curse?
Paul Logue: We will perform at Planet Rock Radio’s Winter’s End Festival in England in March, and as mentioned above, we will undertake the Testament UK Tour in April. For the remainder of the year though, we will be focusing on writing our next album, which we have begun but not in earnest.
So, you have actually started writing?
Paul Logue: Yes! I have recorded one instrumental track with our drummer John and have several new riffs and ideas recorded, but in very early stages, with maybe only one song pretty developed, instrumentally at this point.
You guys always seem to have a very clear idea of where each album is headed. Is it more of the same?
Paul Logue: First and foremost, I am always very sure of what I want to write, which for me is always just good quality melodic hard rocking metal music. It is never forced but I always write for myself first and foremost. We will never stray too much from what we are all about, after all it is our identity, but I think our fans can hear with the newer track ‘Forever’ what this line-up of Eden’s Curse is all about and capable of. We have several ideas that I am very excited about and that for me is what keeps writing fresh and interesting. If it doesn’t excite you then don’t bother!
Care to elaborate further?
Paul Logue: Not too much, but I am exploring some lyrical concepts that are pretty cool.
A concept album?
Paul Logue: I never said that ha, ha!
But you never said no?
Paul Logue: No I didn’t ha, ha! We will see. I am not committing to anything at this stage.
When do you expect to have the album ready?
Paul Logue: We haven’t even written it yet, so not before 2020.
For more about Testament – The Best Of Eden’s Curse UK tour at RAMzine click here and about the album itself here.
