A Shattered Dream (ASD) was a progressive heavy metal band that was
formed in North Andover, Massachusetts during the summer of 1988. Over
the next four years, the band toured the nightclub circuit of the New
England states, bringing their unique sound and style to thousands of
progressive metal fans. In the process, ASD gained a large, loyal fan
base that included many of the bands with whom they toured. For all the
fans, both old and new, here is the story of how the band became "A
Shattered Dream”.
In the fall of 1986, drummer Cameron Deane,
guitarist Peter Turpin, and bassist Jason Berube, all just 13 years of
age, began playing music together in the basement of Peter’s house.
Cameron and Peter, influenced by the music of legendary bands such as
Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest and Van Halen, had been learning songs and
writing music together since they first met a year earlier. With the
addition of Jason, who was heavily influenced by the late Cliff Burton
(former bass player of Metallica), the band was exposed to a new playing
style and energy level that soon engulfed the other members. Within a
few months, the band’s music became stronger and increasingly more
complex. After adding a "temporary” vocalist and playing out a couple of
times using the name "Shattered Dreams”, the band quickly became a
favorite among the local youth.
As the spring of 1987 approached,
the band invited a friend of Peter’s, guitarist Kevin Warren, to
rehearse with them just for fun. As they ripped through songs such as
Metallica’s "Creeping Death” and Iron Maiden’s "Number of the Beast”,
the band very quickly realized the benefits of adding another talented
guitarist to the lineup. After just one session, it became apparent that
Kevin would be there to stay.
For the next three months, the band
rehearsed until finally making their debut at a local "Battle of the
Bands”. After taking first place, the band decided it was time to find a
more permanent vocalist who could expand their music even further. With
the band now influenced by bands such as Queensryche, Testament, Death
Angel, Metallica and Fates Warning, ASD, still known then as "Shattered
Dreams”, spent over a year seeking a vocalist with the right blend of
range and power. The search came to an end in August, 1988, when the
band stumbled upon vocalist Jeff Crocker.
Still using a temporary
vocalist, the band had played a local summer festival that Jeff attended
as a spectator. In Jeff’s own words, he was impressed with how
"energetic” and "tight” the band was musically. Within a few days, Jeff
came to audition as the band’s new vocalist. It only took one song for
the band to decide he had the job. Jeff immediately nailed the opening
note of Queensryche’s "Queen of the Ryche”, then tore through the rest
of the song with an impressive vocal display. After the song, his
audition was summed up by Cameron, who said to the group, "Do we even
need to discuss this?” It was quite evident; Jeff was now the permanent
vocalist of "Shattered Dreams”.
The next several months was spent
writing and rehearsing new material until the band finally made their
debut on the club circuit at a small nightclub in Dracut, Massachusetts.
Although discussions were ongoing for a new name and identity, they
performed under "Shattered Dreams”, figuring it could be changed later
without much trouble. However, the band’s first performance that night
became somewhat "legendary”, when their music, which apparently
energized the club into frenzy, had to be temporarily halted until the
crowd could be brought back under control.
The attention and
notoriety the band gained from that performance went well beyond their
expectations. After playing a few more shows, the band’s popularity
continued to grow. This unforeseen rise in their fan base caused the
band to scrap their original plans for a complete separation from the
name "Shattered Dreams”. Instead, the band decided to only "tweak” the
name, and in the late winter of 1988, they officially became "A
Shattered Dream”.
ASD eventually recorded a five song demo in the
early months of 1989. Titled "4-D Society”, it was released in April of
that same year and showcased the first songs written by the band. As it
circulated through the local club circuit, promoters and club owners
began expressing interest in having ASD perform for them. Although many
were skeptical due to the band’s young age (the band ranged in age from
15-17 years old), ASD was quick to prove their critics wrong, often
packing in large crowds and giving energy-packed performances. By
January of 1990, ASD was being booked by top promoters and could be
found headlining shows at some of New England’s largest nightclubs,
including "The Channel” (arguably the most famous venue in Boston,
Massachusetts for live music at that time). Even when booked as an
opening act, some promoters decided to elevate the band up to the
night’s headliner after they were captivated by the band’s sound check
performance, while others did so after realizing the crowd was dominated
by ASD fans.
By April of 1991, ASD had been performing
relentlessly at nightclubs for over two years. With plenty of new
material, they decided to re-enter the studio with the intention of
recording a 7-9 song demo. However, after laying down some preliminary
tracks, the project was put on hold due to financial constraints and the
band returned to playing the nightclub circuit.
Three months
later, in the fall of 1991, ASD decided to take a break from performing.
During this time, Jeff informed the band that he would be moving to
Atlanta, Georgia, and would no longer be the front man for ASD. The band
gave their fans one final performance at a nightclub in Beverly,
Massachusetts, before going their separate ways. Although ASD would
attempt a brief comeback with a new vocalist in 1992, the project was
short lived and the original members never collaborated on any material
again.
Fast forward 17 years, to October, 2008, when all five
original members of ASD stood in the same room once again for the first
time since that final performance in 1991. After much reminiscing and
laughter, ASD decided to record one final song specifically for this
release. The former members of the band would like to express their
thanks to Kostas Athanasoglou and Arkeyn Steel Records for rekindling
old friendships and allowing the music of ASD to come to life once
again.
myspace/arkeynsteel
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Vocals: Jeff Crocker (Natural Tension)
Guitars: Kevin Warren
Guitars: Peter Turpin
Bass: Jason Berube
Drums: Cameron Deane
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4-D Society / Demo 1990
Tracklist
1. 4 - drifting 04:58
2. Product of my society 02:52
3. Hope from fire 08:29
4. Hellish screams 03:20
5. Endless misery 05:08
24:47
4-D Society & Other Nocturnal Emissions / Best of/ Compilation 2009
Tracklist
1. 4-Drifting 4:52
2. Product of My Society 3:02
3. Hope from Fire 8:38
4. Hellish Screams 5:21
5. Endless Misery 3:28
6. In the Fortress (New Song) 7:36
7. Since 1948 (Live) 5:02
8. Calamity (Live) 5:26
9. 4-Drifting (Live) 4:46
10. New Aggressor (Live) 6:09
11. Valley of Tears (Dedicated to Ralph W.Turpin) (Live) 4:32
12. Skyy (Dedicated to Thomas Pendack) (Live) 2:53
13. Product of my Society (Live) 4:42
Time 66:27 Limited Edition 1000
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| связи +++ |
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