When I first started ELOAĦ, it was simply an attempt to give form to the emotions that words alone could not express. Over the years, what began as a personal exploration has transformed into something much greater - a collaboration of souls, each bringing their own light, shaping melodies that flow like ripples in the vast ocean of existence. Music, after all, is not merely sound but a reflection of the vibrations that pulse through all things; a cosmic resonance we are fortunate enough to tap into.

An Album Born from Reflection and Connection

Like the stars that burn and fade, leaving their echoes in the universe, The Book of Pain was shaped by the struggles, losses and moments of resilience that define the human experience. Each track is a story, a fragment of the vast journey we all undertake. Each song is a chapter in this metaphorical ‘book’. It’s about how pain transforms us and how, even in our darkest hours, we carry within us the light to rise again. One of the most personal tracks, “A Spark of Darkness”, was inspired by the loss of my dear friend, Michael Görig. The song, named after his unfinished novel, is a reflection on the tension between despair and renewal. Another key piece, “We Shall Rise”, embodies the cyclical nature of existence - falling, rising and continuing the journey, carried by unseen currents of hope.

The Collective Energy Behind the Music

Unlike our earlier works, which leaned more into jazz-inspired improvisation (The Mondstein Chronicles) and pop ballads (Proud to Love You), The Book of Pain embodies a denser, layered approach, a result of the synergy between those who brought it to life. The presence of Orion Roos (guitar), Peter Douwenga (bass), Lila Herderberg (vocals), Dominik Mittergradnegger (saxophone) and Johan van der Meer (drums) has always been invaluable, but this time, other voices became part of the journey as well. Zarja Medved (viola) infused the music with textures that expanded its reach beyond any single genre, weaving new dimensions into the soundscape.

The recording process itself became a kind of meditation, a conversation between past and present. Some of the vocal recordings stretch across decades, entwining memories with fresh creative impulses. One particularly moving moment was the inclusion of my late friend Jörg Horner’s voice on “Golden Summer (Girl to Adore)”. It was humbling to blend his voice into this work, a reminder that music is timeless; an energy that persists even when those who helped create it have moved on.

Looking to the Infinite Horizons of 2025

With The Book of Pain now released as a limited-edition LP, we turn our gaze toward new sonic explorations. Our next project takes a different path, embracing gospel-, electronic- and jazz-inspired elements - an experiment in spirituality and improvisation that seeks to capture the ebb and flow of life’s mysteries. With this new endeavour, we strive to challenge ourselves while staying true to the soul of our music.

Music is meant to be a shared experience, and I have found new inspiration through regular rehearsals of classical music with Zarja. These sessions reinforce my belief that creating and listening to music together deepens its emotional impact and enriches its meaning.