Whitechapel

26 years into their career, West Of Eden is releasing their most ambitious album to date. "Whitechapel" is a concept album that takes its inspiration from what has been referred to as 'hell on earth'. London in the 1880's.

Primarily, the album gives voice to the women who, in the autumn of 1888, would become victims of Jack The Ripper.

Did you know, for example, that Kate Eddowes wrote “The Awful Execution of Charles Christopher Robinson”, a famous murder ballad at the time? Or did you know that Elizabeth Stride was born in West Of Eden’s hometown Gothenburg in Sweden? Or that Mary Jane Kelly was heard singing the popular song “A Violet From Mother’s Grave” in her apartment, just hours before she lost her life.

In the songs on "Whitechapel" these women are not merely reduced to victims of a serial killer, but portrayed as flesh and blood individuals who lived and dreamed of a better future under the most challenging of circumstances.

Musically, West Of Eden continues to dig deep into the fertile soil of British and Irish folk music. The band, once dubbed 'The Best Of Contemporary Folk' by Irish Music Magazine, has certainly carved out a unique sound within the tradition, subtly influenced this time by the English 70's wave and bands, like Fairport Convention.

On "Whitechapel" West Of Eden is also joined by musical friends and renowned musicians such as Ron Block (Alison Krauss & Union Station), John McCusker (Mark Knopfler), Damien O’Kane (Kate Rusby), Steph Geremia (Eddi Reader) and more.

"Whitechapel" will be released Friday, March 15th, 2024.