The Fall of Me releases debut LP
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What do you get when a classically-trained soprano is mixed with shredding guitar riffs, pounding drums and lyrics that tell the tale of an alleged serial killer during the early modern period?
Local rock band The Fall of Me released its debut LP,
“Báthory,” earlier this month. The concept album features 11 tracks that tell the story of Elizabeth Báthory, a Hungarian noblewoman who lived between 1560-1614.
The band features the quartet of Chelsea Ritenour (lead vocals), Paul Lancaster (guitars/backing vocals), Derek O’Neal (bass guitar/vocals) and Todd Guerrieri (drums/percussion).
The idea of “Báthory” came during rehearsal not long after the EP, “The Fall of Me,” was distributed in 2022.
“During a rehearsal, I mentioned that I wanted to write an album about Elizabeth Báthory, and the guys thought it was cool to do a concept album. Paul was really interested in doing it,” said Ritenour, a Connellsville Area High School grad.
While Ritenour handles the majority of the vocals, the band used O’Neal to provide “screaming vocals.” While “Báthory” contains many influences from heavy metal, the band isn’t sure what genre of rock music they fall into.
“An indie label called us, ‘melodic metal,'” Ritenour said. “We get categorized into hard rock. We like to call it ‘goth rock.'”
The band doesn’t want to hide from who they are, but each member of the quartet has a stage name. Ritenour calls herself Ariach, a fallen angel songstress. Lancaster performs under the pseudonym, Locrian, a Victorian vampire guitarist. Guerrieri is known on stage as Mr. Druy, and O’Neal is Draugr, the undead Viking warrior.
The pseudonyms are used to set the stage for the band’s music.
“We decided to have all these names based on demons,” Ritenour said. “We did that on purpose to go with the dark, gothic and creepy vibe.”
But, said Ritenour, the names aren’t indicative of who they are.
“Real-life Chelsea is different from stage Chelsea,” said Ritenour. “I have twins and do mom stuff every day,” she said.
Lancaster, a Confluence native who lives in Uniontown, compared it to professional wrestling.
“Look at someone like The Undertaker, who had to stay in his character all the time (in the ring), but at the end of the day, he is just like you and I.”
“Báthory” is available on all major streaming services, and the band has a Facebook page where CDs can be purchased.
“I would love to see the album reach a broader audience,” Ritenour said. “We have several shows upcoming in the next few months where we will be playing stuff off the album, so we hope to create a buzz.
Lancaster said he’s just happy to have the album out, and looks forward to seeing their following grow.
“This has been a work in progress for years, and it is definitely a bucket-list item,” said Lancaster. “I am excited to be able to go out and promote the album.”
The band has three shows booked, starting on June 6 at the Poetry Lounge in Millvale before a slot at ShinDigz in Uniontown. The group is scheduled to play Rock the Mountains on July 25 at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, Md.