Somewhere around 93 Jacques joins the new wave band Obscure Illusion. Bringing his experience and musical ideas to the band his influence is massive. Soon the band decides on a new name: Erato. In order to play live the band needs a bass player who they find in Patrick. Their debut-concert on the stage of J.O.S. in hometown Schepdaal invokes enthusiastic reactions. Erato is officially born.
Only two years after the founding of the band, Erato is chosen from 85 Belgian bands by the jury of (P)Opcedee for their song Sweet Killing. They are allowed to record it in a studio on the earlier mentioned (P)OPcedee. This encourages the band to record their first demo CD and that same year A killed God is released.
Also live the band is doing well. Erato wins the Goth Rally 97 and opens the famous Black Easter Festival. Due to these and other concerts Erato is asked to perform on Eurorock 98 with amongst others The Sisters of Mercy, Anne Clark and others
Autumn 99 starts disastrous as lead singer Boot decides to leave the band. The remaining members refuse to throw the towel and start their search for a new lead singer to keep the band alive. It takes a year of experimentation and screening other vocalists before destiny directs Gorik into Eratos arms. A convincing test concert at JK Zomaar proves Eratos readiness to mount the stage once again.
Erato is not only on the road again doing gigs (Top of the Goths BXL, The event Geel,) , but also releases their second demo The Irreplaceable One and get positive reactions from press and fans. For the band its a sign to continue making music and between gigs they start working on new material. In no time ten new songs are ready to be recorded and Erato III is born. Although all the songs on III are arranged in such way that Erato can perform live with only three members, the band feels that six extra strings would power up their live sound and hooks up with Joost, rhythm guitar player and old friend from the past. Meanwhile also Ilse, backing vocalist of Erato in the past, finds her way back to the band.
Erato is back at full force and the band officially makes a re-entry at the Belgian Independent Music Festival impressing friends and enemies with a new and strong set. Other concerts follow Through the years the band has build up quite a reputation in the dark alternative music scene and has done support acts for Crystal Entity,The Breath of Life, Two Witches, The Cruxshadows, Untoten, Skeletal Familyand gets frequently booked in The Netherlands.
Although the band has been around since 94 their music still sounds as promising as in the early years. Together with its members the music has evolved into honest contemporary dark rock songs without betraying their musical roots. It is no secret that the band is influenced by the death-rock, post punk, new-wave, goth-rock and electro bands of the eighties and nineties. Combining these musical influences with modern arrangements and their own typical style the band members create the unique sound of Erato :
Sometimes harsh or groovy. Sometimes like a wall of steel and concrete. Or sometimes, dark romantic. But first, last and always typically Erato.
Book em, listen to their music, come see them live and live the nostalgic Erato experience!
Stay tuned for things to come
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