WHILE HEAVEN WEPT 'Vast Oceans Lachrymose' Lineup To Embark On 'Farewell' European Dates

In early 2015, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT mainman Tom Phillips had to regrettably pull the plug on the band’s European tour in support of their latest studio album, 'Suspended At Aphelion'. The decision led to Phillips’ unexpected retirement from the metal scene, effectively putting the revered doomsters on ice. However, Phillips and his bandmates have long sought to make amends to the European crowds who have so strongly backed WHILE HEAVEN WEPT over the years. Now, as 2018 draws to a close, the most recent incarnation of WHILE HEAVEN WEPT that started with 2009’s classic 'Vast Oceans Lachrymose' will play its final shows together on a run of European dates that begins November 16 at Germany’s Hammer Of Doom festival.

'I agreed to do these shows to give everyone else — the band members, our fans, even myself some closure, especially since the last tour was cancelled,' says Phillips. 'The other aspect is the circumstances and priorities of the musicians involved are simply not aligned with what an actively touring band requires anymore.'

The 'Vast Oceans Lachrymose' lineup — rounded out by bassist Jim Hunter, vocalist Rain Irving, second guitarist Scott Loose, keyboardist/harmony vocalist Michelle Schrotz and drummer Trevor Schrotz — have been holed up in a Virginia rehearsal room putting together a setlist that is not only representative of the latest era of WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, but the band’s storied past as well. According to Phillips, some of WHILE HEAVEN WEPT’s most memorable shows have taken place on European shores, including their 2010 appearance at Hammer Of Doom alongside Irish metallers PRIMORDIAL, which was not only Irving’s third show with the band, but also where the 'Triumph: Tragedy: Transcendence' DVD/live album was recorded.

While these European dates signal the end for the 'Vast Oceans Lachrymose' era of WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, it does not mean the end for the band. Phillips says there is an entire album of unfinished material that sits between 'Fear Of Infinity' and 'Suspended At Aphelion' in which he may look to finalize at some point.

WHILE HEAVEN WEPT 2018 European tour dates:

November 16 – Hammer Of Doom, Würzburg, Germany
November 18 – Temple, Athens, Greece
November 24/25 – Dutch Doom Days, Baroeg, Rotterdam, Netherlands
December 7 – Under The Doom VI, LAV Lisboa ao Vivo, Lisbon, Portugal
December 8 – Madrid Is The Dark, Madrid, Spain