The Church’s Story Continues with New Album “Eros Zeta & the Perfumed Guitars”

Last year, The Church released The Hyponogogue and introduced us to the character of Eros Zeta. Now, they are continuing that story with Eros Zeta and the Perfumed Guitars.

The Church has been releasing music for fifty years, with their first album Of Skins and Heart debuting in 1981. After doing something for so long, it is awesome to see the band refresh their vision with this dystopian world they have created. The story of Eros Zeta is the attempted comeback of a failed musician. The storyline is loosely presented through the two albums, making the listening experience different with each new spin. Whether you are putting it on to give your full attention, or playing it in the background while you work, it will captivate you wholly.

Eros Zeta and the Perfumed Guitars does not stress the storyline, either. Instead, it builds the atmosphere of the world with the band’s signature guitar riffs. The lyrics and story let themselves be outshined by the impressive back track. (Though, if you did want the story, lead singer Steve Kilbey has a novella that dives deep into the lore. Eros Zeta and the Hypnogogue is available anywhere where e-books are sold.) The lead singles from the album, “A Strange Past” and “A Realm of Minor Angels” are both good introductions to the story, both lyrically and musically, but the album’s peak is the second track, “Pleasure”. Here, Eros Zeta’s yearning for his past fame and anger at the situation he has found himself in is so captivating. The words are flung at the listener, like it’s our fault he is in this situation. There is a slow build throughout the song that ends in a gorgeous reverbing echo chamber where he really unleashes himself. The repeating of “Oh, my pounding heart wants to pull you apart” seems like it wants to be screamed out, but it is instead quiet. The music behind it is tragic. He realizes his anger is misplaced, but he cannot help himself from lashing out. It adds softness to the arrogant persona that Zeta was known to put on through his life.

If you would like to see The Church live, they are co-headlining a tour of the United States with The Afghan Whigs, starting June 18th. The kismet tour was inevitable, really. The band share a long, love-filled history, with The Church being one of the main inspirations for The Afghan Whigs front man, Greg Dulli throughout his music career, The tour comes with support from Ed Harcourt. They are playing Lincoln Theater in D.C. on June 22nd.

“Eros Zeta and the Perfumed Guitars” is available now on major streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. You can get tickets to their June 22nd show at Lincoln Theater here.