Perdition no longer stands for eternal punishment. An Erie band and Gannon University student are stepping up their game with a “DIY” album.
When one hears the term “basement band” one usually thinks of poorly conceived songs and a bad quality demo CD, but Gannon freshman and communications major Andrew DeSanctis has decided that he can make a good album without an expensive studio.
Armed with his laptop, drum triggers and microphones, DeSanctis and his band have set out to make an album with studio quality from domestic settings.
Perdition is a symphonic metal band that came on the scene three years ago. Local metal heads know them for the quality of their performance and variety of techniques.
The current members of the band all live in Erie.
DeSanctis takes lead guitar and vocals, his sister Clare does keyboard, Josh Berbs plays drums, Adam LaBounty does bass, and most recently Mark Zielinski has joined on rhythm guitar.
Perdition takes inspiration from metal bands such as Behemoth, Immortal, and Amon Amarth, as well as classical music, which gives their music depth.
According to DeSanctis, “We combine progressive metal riffs with classical music.” The quality of the combination puts Perdition above other local bands.
This is not the group’s first album. In 2009, the band recorded its first E.P. with six tracks. This small offering was done in a studio and helped Perdition receive recognition.
After completing the first album, efforts were put together to brainstorm for another album.
The new album is being recorded in the basement of DeSanctis and is set to be released in April.
Perdition has high hopes for the latest album, and members said they will be putting forth full effort to make it a quality album, which will make them stand out.
Perdition does not necessarily need help to be recognized.
Group members have been fortunate enough to play both in Erie and in surrounding cities. They have even made an appearance on Summer Slaughter Tour when it stopped at Peabody’s Downunder in Cleveland. Perdition is a common act in the local venues, and they have been known to do house shows on occasion.
Friday they will be at their local stomping grounds, Forward Hall on West 26th St, headlining their first big show.
Look for Perdition’s homegrown album later this spring and make sure to check them out at Forward Hall this weekend.
For more information about Perdition and their music check out their official MySpace page, www.myspace.com/perditionofficial/. Also, make sure to check out lead singer DeSanctis under his DJ name, Death Metal Drew, 11 a.m. Thursdays on Gannon’s station, 90.5 WERG.
