THE ETERNAL Parts Ways With Bassist

Acclaimed Australian atmospheric/gothic/doom metal band THE ETERNAL have parted ways with bassist James Hunt.

"It is with a heavy heart that I must announce my retirement from THE ETERNAL," Hunt writes in a statement. "For the last three years I have worked obsessively alongside Mark [Kelson, guitar and vocals] and Chris [Stevenson, keyboards] to achieve a common goal; to make THE ETERNAL stand internationally as a renowned and respected heavy metal band, and to fulfil our collective dreams of making a living from playing the music that we love. Together, we have gone a long way to achieving this dream, having in three short years been signed to Firebox records, released what are in my subjective opinion two excellent albums, toured Europe and more recently opened for H.I.M. and OPETH on their Australian tours. It was perhaps this most recent success that triggered my decision to leave THE ETERNAL. Being able to glimpse the inner machinations of big international touring acts made me realise that the world that I thought longed for was actually not at all what I desired. Being something of a polymath, I knew then that I lacked the single minded qualities required to achieve, sustain and enjoy international success for THE ETERNAL. Mark and Chris genuinely live and breathe THE ETERNAL, and relish such a prospect. With their collective talent, commitment and determination, in my estimation it is only a matter of time until they achieve it. I'll be watching and supporting as the good friend that I hope I shall always be to them.

"What will I get up to now that there are no bass lines to learn, tours to book and albums to promote? I completed my Doctorate earlier this year in agro-ecology, so I intend to pursue a straight-laced career as an agricultural scientist working for a not-for-profit farming research group in the Victorian Mallee. Musically, I'll be pestering Mark and Chris to help me record some material of the old-school doom variety that I've been working on over the past few years, and try and get that released (more for the purpose of vanity-publishing than serious musical accomplishment!).

"I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to numerous people that I have come into contact from my time co-managing and playing bass for THE ETERNAL. This list is too long to mention in its entirety, and I shall restrict it to all past and present members of THE ETERNAL, Rami and JP at Firebox Records (if a fairer, harder working and more reasonable record label exists in the mean old world of the heavy metal music industry, I am yet to hear of it!),Endel Rivers and Mark McCormack, all venues, promoters and bands that have helped us with our numerous live shows, all press that has published reviews and interviews, all radio stations that played our songs, interviews and announced gigs (especially Melbourne DJs Kene Lightfoot, Simon Lukic, Garry Carson, Justin Donnelly, and Tony Khachadourian — you all believed in us from the start!). Finally to my family, friends and darling girlfriend Ebony who have all been so incredibly supportive of my involvement with THE ETERNAL, I thank you all!

"And who is to fill my boots? Well that is a very interesting question. Stay tuned, because I am sure no one will be disappointed with my successor…"

THE ETERNAL released its sophomore album, "Sleep of Reason", late last year through Firebox Records to critical acclaim, with stunning artwork provided by renowned artist Travis Smith.

For more information, visit www.the-eternal.com.