Classic “Scattering of Ashes” lineup plays first show in 15 years. It was a chilly Saturday night in Regina, SK; and I had just driven 9 hours to see the evening’s festivities – which will easily go down as one of my favorite moments ever.
Inside The Exchange, it as anything but chilly, with an incredible excitement parsing through the crowd. We were all about to witness the return of Stu Block to prog/death titans Into Eternity after a nearly 10 year departure from the band. He was recruited by veteran heavy metal band Iced Earth in 2011. Following Jon Schaffer’s arrest in 2021 for his part in the Capitol riots, Stu left Iced Earth Feb 15, 2021.
It was announced July 19, 2021 that Stu would be rejoining Into Eternity for their appearance at Alberta’s Loud As Hell metal festival July 31. On August 2nd, Stu confirmed in a post on the band’s website, that he would be returning full-time.
The band blazed through a 15-song set full of classics from their first 3 albums – “Dead Or Dreaming” (2001), “Buried In Oblivion” (2004), and “The Scattering of Ashes” (2006). The 5-piece moved through each song like a well-oiled machine. Stu was on fire, laying out vocal melodies like he hadn’t missed a day in the band. Constantly moving all over the stage, you could tell he was happy to be back, and his performance certainly delivered.
Bassist Troy Bleich is a monstrous, ferocious ball of energy while onstage, and is always a treat to watch as he attacks his bass like a frantic madman. Quite the contrast from his gentle, fun-loving nature offstage. Guitarists Tim Roth and Matt Cuthbertson are an unstoppable duo, trading melodic solos, glorious harmonies, and those tasty riffs Into Eternity is so well known for. Original drummer Jim Austin is also back in the fold, having held down the kit for the band from 1997-2007, and it seemed as though he had never left.
It was a real treat for these guys to have me in attendance for such a grand moment in the band’s illustrious history, and I’m forever grateful for the friendships I’ve formed with them over the years. Here’s to many more, and a brilliant road ahead of you guys!
Catch Into Eternity next as they headline day 3 of the Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver April 17 – I’ve been ensured there will be some neat surprises for attendees!
I didn’t get a chance to talk to Stu much at the show, (I know what it’s like to be in “performance mode”) but he was gracious enough to have a little chat with me for this article.
“Loud as Hell was kind of the kick-off, the precursor – and that fire and energy was still there, and all that stuff.. But man, we did not know how this show was going to go locally, because you don’t know what people are feeling, especially coming out of Covid – so it really went well. The Sask metal and rock scene really showed up, and it was a packed house. We’re super stoked to bring this classic lineup back – because people – talking to all the people, you know that 15 years ago that were coming out to shows, now they’ve got kids, and they’re passing it on, and it’s super cool.”
