Former Edensong Members
Ian Carbone Bass 2003-2004
Matt Cozin Drums 2002-2006
Mike Drucker Violin 2003 - 2007
Eve Harrison Flute 2005 - 2007
Rachel Kiel Flute 2003 - 2005
Aurora Maoz Flute 2003
Ray Rizzo Drums 2006 - 2007
Asa Sourdiffe Violin and keyboards 2003
Arthur Sugden Keyboards 2004 - 2007
TD Towers Bass 2004 - 2006
Mr. Paden Bass 2006 - 2009
Ben Wigler Bass 2002
Mike Tee Bass 2009
Additional Contributors to "The Fruit Fallen"
Sam Baltimore Cello
Adam Bernier Synth Programming
Azalea Birch Tablas
Neely Bruce Church organ
Joaquin Cotler African drums
Steve Devita Percussion
Ben Doleac Background vocals
Hannah Goodwin-Brown Cello
Kerry Prep Piano and organ
Joe Swain Violin
Anthony Waldman Drums and percussion
Ben Wigler Guitar
Influences
Jethro Tull, Genesis, Rush, Yes, Metallica, Cat Stevens, Dream Theater, Alice in Chains, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Simon and Garfunkel, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Queen, Pink FLoyd, Tool, Nirvana, Megadeth, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson,The Mars Volta, Coheed and Cambria, Nobuo Uematsu, Gustav Mahler, Hector Berlioz, J.S. Bach, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Fryderyk Chopin
Sounds Like
What words define the Edensong sound? Even a term as unwieldy as “epic orchestral progressive acoustic metal-infused rock” does little to categorize Edensong’s music.
Edensong draws deeply from classic symphonic progressive acts, with complex song structures that resemble those of early Genesis or Yes, but Edensong does not simply rehash the music from this Golden Age of progressive rock.
Edensong experiments with wide-ranging musical styles, adding orchestral instruments like flute, violin and cello into the mix of a versatile hard rock band. With what other act would you hear heavy metal guitar riffs, a classical guitar, flute and cello chamber trio, a full church organ, and North Indian tabla playing all in the span of a single album?
Edensong’s music can be as serenely melodic as the music of Simon and Garfunkel and Cat Stevens, or as aggressive as that of Metallica or Opeth. Not even Jethro Tull (another important influence for the band) is quite as eclectic. Using sophisticated and unpredictable compositions, not unlike the large scale works of Dream Theater or Rush, Edensong’s music tells a story, at times attaining the epic feel of the scores of Hans Zimmer or Nobuo Uematsu, while at others achieving a “folkier” simplicity, a singer/songwriter sound that might be more reminiscent of Billy Joel or The Beatles.
Edensong gains inspiration from many styles and eras of music, whether it be from the millennium-long history of Western classical music or the past half-century of rock. While influenced by so many from Gregorian chant to grunge, Edensong rejects any superficial trend in pop music and instead forges its own path through the droves of homogenous sound-alike acts. Edensong, along with a handful of other new bands, such as The Mars Volta, Coheed and Cambria, Three, and Dredg among others, attempts to creatively revitalize rock music in a movement away from the corporately-constructed “mainstream” and toward artist-driven freedom and true originality.
"Edensong have created a progressive rock masterpiece on their first attempt. ... . Masterful songwriting, intelligent thoughtful lyrics, beautiful melody and harmony...this album has it all. 'The Fruit Fallen' is reminiscent of the "glory days" bands such as Gentle Giant, King Crimson and Genesis while taking cues from modern masters Arjen Lucassen, Spocks Beard, Neal Morse, Dream Theater and I even detect a bit of Jars of Clay. Although making these comparisons almost detracts from the originality Edensong displays on 'The Fruit Fallen'." - Koggie, www.ytsejam.com
"I am glad I continued digesting The Fruit Fallen because Edensong has become one of my favorite new bands. This is one of those rare occasions where every track is a favorite. ... . I think true music connoisseurs will enjoy listening to The Fruit Fallen over and over." - Ron Fuchs, www.prognaut.com
"A masterpiece. Do not miss this." - Diego Gonzales, Hard Rock, AOR, Rock Progresivo y Sinfonico
"Edensong has developed a style that bring many adjectives to mind. For starters, their sundry material is organic, orchestral,acoustic, accessible, gothic and tetchy. It's as if they combined Jethro Tull with Porcupine Tree. Like Aqualung, these cohesive pieces tell a story while having the quality that lets them stand alone... . (I)t'll make the hair on your neck stand to attention while encouraging your noggin to bob in tandem with the riveting beats. ...(E)ach song exhibits a range of elements that would be statistically out of character. "The Prayer", for example, borders on Pain of Salvation if you were to remove the violins and flutes. These sophisticated instruments make it extremely folksy in that Scandinavian sense. Alternatively, "Nocturne" is a roundabout take on Genesis if it were to intersect with Yes. On the whole, this album has a high concentration of progressive pectin, from the peel to its core, enriching fibers contained within this fruit fallen make it hard to resist." - Josh Turner, www.USAProgMusic.com
"James Byron Schoen seems to have incorporated into his music the entire golden age of progressive rock. But...Edensong (is) much more than that. ... (m)assive influx of ideas from everywhere. ...Edensong does not recall any particular group, on the contrary, all these courses... are incredibly absorbed, subsumed in the music group. Opeth for the power of certain passages, sophisticated technology and unpredictable like Rush. ...The Fruit Fallen is a beautiful musical experience,... ." The Keeper, www.MagicFireMusic.com
"What a delightful excursion off the beaten path this CD is. Prog, well yes it most certainly is, but it is prog with a twist. Prog takes on many flavors, sometimes it swerves directly into the pathway of Electric Folk, and that very much sums up Edensong. ...(I)f this CD is representative of their potential they certainly have a very bright future ahead of them." - Simon Barrett, www.bloggernews.net
"This debut album from Edensong is really the work and brainchild of James Byron Schoen... . The eight tracks run the whole gamut of prog influences and will be a delight to any self respecting hairy who recalls "Topographic" Yes or "Selling England" Genesis. It's an attractive mix of prog, folk, and classical influences. (I)t's the seamless blend of trad and new prog that is the great achievement of the "Fruit Fallen." ... Europe beckons, or at least we hope so." - www.GetReadyToRock.com
"We...find...the use of different styles:from folk with twanging guitars, pleasant vocals and sparkly flute and classical with melancholical cello, intense violin and warm grand piano to compelling bombastic symphonic rock featuring lush organ, firey guitarwork and a propulsive rhythm-section and even some interludes with progmetal guitar and drums (like in Baptism and Nocturne). ...The prayer contains an intro with Spanish guitar and some flamenco elements, very exciting. My highlight is the long final composition The Reunion: the intro delivers classical and acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies, then the climate changes from compelling with floods of organ and fiery guitar to dreaming with twangy guitars and flute or violent with propulsive guitar riffs, I am delighted about the bombastic conclusion with swelling organ, raw progmetal and a powerful rhythm-section. ...(T)he blend of classical, rock, progmetal and ethnic music gives a captivating extra dimension to their music. I am looking forward to their next album because I am curious to the development of this promising progrock band." - Erik Neuteboom, www.dprp.net
"The album is split into eight fairly long tracks, each of them occupying that unlikely space between British progressive rock, folk and metal. Think Jethro Tull and early Genesis infused with Metallica. It's an interesting brew... . Undoubtedly it is the acoustic instrumentation that raises this album above standard metal infused progressive fare. The strings and flutes work particularly well... . The overall production is excellent." - Steve Palmer, www.ProgressiveEars.com
“This one fell on me like a bomb…While the references to [old school British progressive rock] are apparent the music doesn’t sound dated at all…There is so much going on in the mix that it will take many listens to peel back all the layers of this one and absorb it all. I can’t remember the last time I said this about a debut release from a prog band - BUY OR DIE!” -Ken Golden , www.lasercd.com
“Modern, intelligent prog rock …a very good and deep effort by Edensong, a bright progressive rock modern band on the horizon…The Fruit Fallen couldn’t have been a more compact and stimulating album after all the time it took to be made. Unreservedly recommended.” -www.progarchives.com
“If you like Jethro Tull, Rush, Yes, Dream Theater, Believe, Genesis, Curved Air, you will love Edensong. The Fruit Fallen is a powerful album...Brilliant, amazing, perfect and a fantastic work, highly recommendable for all progressive rock fans around the world...” -www.progressiverockbr.com
“A great choice for an evening of well played modern progressive rock...I'd love to see this band perform live in Europe in the not too distant future.” -www.progarchives.com
"What I find cleverly unusual is that [The Fruit Fallen] works so well on many different levels, from the heavy lyrics and harmonies to the emotive mix of cello, flute and guitar...This is a great first album for Edensong and I recommend this album for all who still cling close to the Prog!" -James Unger
“A strong sincere work, packed with ideas. A great moment of progressive rock!” -www.progressive-area.com
“You can describe Edensong…as progressive folk but this band has more to offer. The blend of classical, rock, prog metal and ethnic music gives a captivating extra dimension to their music. I am already looking forward to their next album…” -Erik, www.progwalhalla.nl
“Epic and grandiose with variation and breadth, sophisticated and unexpected composition, and a wonderful distinctive character. Edensong is a new band that raises the standards and refreshes rock with artistic freedom and innovation.” -www.merlinprog.com
“Variegated, intense, warm music, often exceeding folk rock’s limits, sometimes very close to metal ... romantic-symphonic atmospheres, as well as vocal mixtures following Simon & Garfunkel or Kansas styles, …are not neglected ... really a bit of everything.” -www.artistsandbands.org
“…sophisticated and demanding (Kansas, Shadow Gallery)…. The rest is a music rich in contrasts, with lush arrangements…and nourished a rich instrumental palette....” -Cosmos Music
“Edensong’s The Fruit Fallen is the kind of album that deserves and demands a handful of listens…There is an abundance of dynamic layers…The Fruit Fallen is filled with seemingly opposite dynamics playing off of each other, from the slow and light acoustic sections to the loud dark metal riffs. It ends up tightly fitting together…. Edensong is close to piecing together the perfect formula.” -www.imagineechoes.com
“Schoen is a man with tons of ideas…. The music on The Fruit Fallen is though[t]-provoking and shows a level of reserved-complexity that I’ve not seen very often.” -www.jerrylucky.com
“...this CD will pretty certainly make my ‘best albums of 2008’ list. It will definitely be near the top of the ‘best progressive rock albums…’ group. It’s a disc I’ll be listening to for a long time. I fell in love with this on the first time hearing it and I’m not likely to wander far from it in the foreseeable future.” -www.musicstreetjournal.com
“The music…is much more than you could imagine from just looking or reading about, the experience is heavy, regular and enlightening…. [T]he main drive is modern, intelligent prog rock.”
“If ever to feel perfection and graceful music coming from the band, it’s down this ending part, with the Sixth Day so imposing and One Breath to Breathe so tearful.
Overall, this is a very good and deep effort by Edensong, a bright progressive rock modern band on the horizon…. Unreservedly recommended
.” -www.progarchives.com
“Edensong…have [released] one great album. Without [a] doubt this is the highlight of the year 2008. If you’re into Jethro Tull, Dream Theater, Shadow Gallery and Cyan you will adore Edensong. 'The Fruit Fallen' is a kickass CD…. The album blends elements of rock[,] folk, flamenco, [and] electronic into its own…truly rare progressive mix.” -www.proggnosis.com
“I think it is a beautiful album, with many vignettes, many interludes, breaks and even quiet moments…and James Byron’s voice…sometimes reminds this reviewer of the great City Boy singer: Lol Mason. …I think this is a great start from a new band…they got it in them to create an epic masterpiece.” -www.progplanet.com
“The compositions are very well done, which feature amazing instrumental and orchestral arrangements…there is a dynamic interaction between all instruments, sometimes highly progressive, symphonic and melodic, sometimes harder and very powerful…all mixed to create an epic and emotional atmosphere. If you like ‘Jethro Tull’, ‘Rush’, ‘Yes’, ‘Dream Theater’, ‘Believe’, ‘Genesis’, ‘Curved Air’ you will love Edensong. ‘The Fruit Fallen” is a powerful album…. Brilliant, amazing, perfect and a fantastic work.” -www.progressiverockbr.com
“...here’s a very progressive band that is mostly acoustically based…. Flutes! Cellos! Violin! Complex arrangements that require repeated listenings! I have to think that this album was released in the 70’s, sitting alongside Kansas, Yes, an Tull albums, this would be huge. But it’s 2008 and they’re currently obscure. Hopefully not for long.” -www.rehula.us
“’The Fruit Fallen’ contains only eight songs, but all eight of them are well thought-out, well performed and well produced.” -Rock Report
“The styles range from folk, rock, theatrical, metal all combined to make a strong symphonic progressive album…. There are many textures and a lot of subtle parts added to each song that make for a very interesting listen. …The band changes dynamics very effectively similar to Porcupine Tree. …James’ singing style is very expressive and theatrical, it reminds me of Matthew Parmenter in style….
“This is a very sophisticated and strong debut CD by Edensong. It seems to get better with every listen.” -www.seaoftranquility.org
“The band has released a very impressive CD titled ‘The Fruit Fallen’ which is an absolute must-have for fans of the classic British Progsound. …[F]rom start to finish high quality musicianship, this is a very sensational record.” -http://strutter77.angelfire.com
“Lucky for [metal] fans, they now have a new band to satisfy their Prog Rock cravings…New York’s Edensong. Spearheaded by one James Byron Schoen, Edensong present a blend of Prog Rock styles from across the decades. …Lots of layers permeate and color the music including flutes, violins and organ sounds as well as other keyboard interplay…. Every piece is utilized to create a sweeping sonic tapestry. …[E]ach song is…a journey of ebbs and flows, hills and valley with the storyline…tying them all together. The vocals are clean and melodic and, like the other instruments, are utilized as but one color of the overall palette…. Edensong [have] released probably one of the best Prog Rock albums of the year, and certainly the best I’ve heard in a long time.” -www.teethofthedivine.com
Edensong was formed by James Byron Schoen in 2002 at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. In its relatively short history, Edensong has gone through multiple lineup changes. Amid shifting personnel, it is James Schoen’s music that forms the core of the Edensong sound.
After James’ first group, his high school progressive-metal outfit Echoes of Eden (whose CD "Beneath The Tide" can still be found online by the adept Googler), disbanded in 2000, James spent the following years writing new material and honing his performance with a solo acoustic act. While he enjoyed the intimacy and flexibility of the solo show, he missed the arrangement possibilities and energy of a full rock band performance.
By The Fall of 2002, after a few failed attempts at reviving Echoes of Eden, James had a brand new performance concept. With funding from Wesleyan, he mounted “Beyond Eden : A Surrealistic Pseudo Rock-Opera“. The show, which was performed inside a historic Frat-house covered in Astroturf, featured elements of film, theater and dance to augment James’ music: re-workings of material from the EOE days, his solo set and some entirely new songs written for the new lineup, which expanded to include a full-time flautist and violinist, an African Drumming ensemble, and a small choir. This melding of traditional rock instrumentation with elements of classical and world music traditions became the framework of James Schoen’s musical vision, and thus the band known as Edensong was formed.
After the final performance of “Beyond Eden,” which managed to get the band some positive local recognition, Edensong continued to play shows, though without the Astroturf and dry ice, over the next few years and began working on "The Fruit Fallen" in the summer of ‘04.
After Graduating from Wesleyan in 2005, James was able to devote more time to the band, and Edensong began to expand its fan base, playing shows and festivals throughout the New York area. However, as Edensong began to perform more frequently, there was less time to devote to the production of "The Fruit Fallen". This changed in the Spring of ‘06 when tensions over tour negotiations and extensive travel came to a head, leading to the cancellation of a planned Spring tour with fellow NY-based progressive rock band Astronaut Down, and the dissolution of the whole Edensong roster. James took this period of uncertainty to focus his energy again toward the completion of "The Fruit Fallen". "The Fruit Fallen" was finally completed in October 2007, after being mastered in Orlando, Florida by legendary engineer Bob Katz.
"The Fruit Fallen" was released independently in the Summer of 2008. It is currently available on CD, featuring special deluxe packaging and album art (available from CDBaby: www.cdbaby.com and The Laser's Edge: www.lasercd.com, among others), and is also available for download from a number of online retailers.
James is currently negotiating wider distribution and promotion, composing new music for the next release, and working with the next generation of the Edensong lineup. Edensong will hit the stage again in early 2009 and will be featured at Three Rivers Progressive Rock Festival (www.3rprogfest.com) in August. The future of Edensong is an open book, so please keep checking back for updates.
If you would like Edensong to play in your area, e-mail booking@edensongtheband.com. Similarly, if you would like to book Edensong for a club/festival/tour, e-mail booking@edensongtheband.com. If you have any other questions/comments, or just wish to get in contact with the band, e-mail info@edensongtheband.com. Thanks for your continued support!!
Hey Guys, Great to see you at 3RP Fest. Cool to share a few beers with you in Vaxman's room. Just listened to Echos of Eden Cd. Can't wait for the re recording of those tunes. James, you are truly a gifted musician. I hope I'm on the list for your next release. Hope to see you guys next year. OR, bring your show out west! Kurt
it is a great pleasure for me now to listen your songs from a great prog station like 'moonrock' and you and dj acidos my good friend to talk about for your release.. i believe in you from the first time i heard you and i'm happy i have your cd "the fruit fallen"! you are great musicians and you worth the best! good luck! helen;)
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