Eye Of Minerva

Biography:
Guitarist/vocalist and founder of EYE OF MINERVA Derek Duvak moved to Denver, Colorado from Orlando, Florida in 2010 to form a band. At age 26 after playing material written by others in a number of bands in the Orlando scene for many years, he was done and ready to play his own material. With a huge collection of songs and lyrics written, he began searching for like-minded band members. It didn’t take long in a place where musicians and artists alike seemed to be everywhere. Quickly after moving to Denver, it became obvious it was the right move to make.

EYE OF MINERVA first came to be in September of 2011. Derek crossed paths with bassist/vocalist Joey Maurer, they started jamming, and Derek began teaching Joey his material as they became familiar with each other’s styles and musical goals. Joey picked up Derek’s riffs pretty fast and the two of them, early on, decided to take the band all the way. Next in line would be to find a drummer and to everyone’s surprise, through Craigslist, they would find Chris Moen, a veteran in the scene and one of the sickest drummers they had ever had the honor to play with.
The three quickly meshed together, were clearly on the right page with their musical styles and goals for the band, and they started looking for a vocalist. After months of unsuccessful tryouts, Joey began learning all of Derek’s lyrics and stepped up as lead vocalist. With Joey performing the low growls and Derek handling the high-pitched screams, they solidified their initial set for live shows and so these three were the incarnation of EYE OF MINERVA, for the next 3 years.

EYE OF MINERVA spent their first 8-9 months writing material together and becoming a tight three piece. They started recording on their own, at WITHIN THE CHAOS STUDIOS and ended up with a 7-song album. From this they created a 3-song demo that they give out free at shows and local record stores.

EYE OF MINERVA’s first show was June 13th, 2012. The guys opened up for VALE OF PNATH at Moe’s BBQ Bar in Denver, CO. Since that 1st show, it has been nonstop brutality as they have created quite a stir in the scene in Colorado.
After about a year of actively playing shows and festivals, all the hard work and personal legwork, prior to playing a single show, seems to be paying off.
The band worked with Kevin Elrod (EXECRATION) at Clovenhoof Audio to have their first full-length album, Through the Archway of Perdition, remixed and mastered. This album was released October 25th 2014. They have their second album written and will be ready to start recording in the near future, featuring 10 songs and they have also began writing album 3.

EYE OF MINERVA was signed by DHMS Records as of August 2014 and on October 25th 2014 they released their 1st album, 'Through the Archway of Perdition'. They have merchandise with the album art by Rene Mattei and they have re-stocked merchandise including stickers printed by Shrewd Designs, t-shirts made by the band themselves, and a banner made custom made by Ben Cordova.

As life can make us change our path, so it came to their attention in November of 2014, that Joey would chose to step down from his part within EYE OF MINERVA to begin a family with his 1st child on the way. He made the decision that he would not be able to give the band the attention, time and dedication that it deserves with a child on the way. So a new chapter for EYE OF MINERVA began in November 2014, with Jeff Wager as lead vocalist and Mattais Olgin on bass and backup vocals. So stay connected with EYE OF MINERVA during this new chapter, because you haven’t seen nothing yet.

EYE OF MINERVA has had the honor of sharing the stage, in Colorado and surrounding states, with amazing bands like EXECRATION, EXUSSUM, VOMIT GOD, ISOLATION IN INFAMY, ARKIAK, SEVERED SAVIOR, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, SHAWN WHITAKER, PUTRID PILE, FIELDS OF ELYSIUM, DUCKLING FANTASY, HORDE OF DRAUGAR, LEGION OF DEATH, INSENTIENT, SYREBRIS, IMPALED OFFERING, ABOLISHMENT OF FLESH, MIDGARD, SCALAFREA, SKINNED, GENOCAUST, DEFLESHMENT, ENTRAILS ERADICATED, EMBALMER, MENTALLY MURDERED, FACE OF OBLIVION, ZOMBIE HATE BRIGADE, HEMLOCK, UNCLEANSED, TORN THE FUCK APART, DECEIVE, NIHILITUS, NUCLEAR REIGN, ABHORRATION, CRYPT INFECTION, INIQUITOUS DEEDS, FETAL DISGORGE, CONDEMNED REMAINS, HARVEST THE MURDERED, VIMANA, TRY REDEMPTION, COATHANGER ABORTION, LUST OF DECAY, DEVANGELIC and many others.

Festivals played:
Gut Fest IV
2nd Annual Western Nebraska Metal Fest
Harvest Fest 2012
Operation Metal Relief
Gut Fest V
Infernal Rites Fest
Cornucopia 2014
Soon to come: WTDF 2015

Metal Observer, Sputnikmusic and Global Domination reviews:
http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=6&id=19304
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/51783/Eye-of-Minerva-Spherical-Perdition/
http://www.globaldomination.se/reviews/eye-of-minerva-spherical-perdition

Denver Heavy Metal Society interview:
http://youtu.be/jQJi5LaUHRc

Music Compilation C.D.:
The Process Promotions Presents: Dying To Be Heard Vol. 3

Official Websites:
http://eyeofminerva.wix.com/eyeofminerva#!
https://www.facebook.com/EyeOfMinerva
http://www.reverbnation.com/eyeofminerva

Video Clips:
ComaTour Denver 2014 – at Herman’s Hideaway
http://youtu.be/eazQnaFfzEE


QUOTE:
In my opinion, music is not ours, for we only borrow it for a season, while we are here. It is the seekers of grand orchestral design, the innovator among leaders that becomes blessed with profound, divine opus that will echo through the ages. Humbleness, devotion, and loyalty towards your craft, are just the beginning. You have only just uncovered the keys, now you must find doors, open them and walk their hallways, staircases and sometimes they are bottomless. Vibes and discernment are the only things keeping you stable. Bottom line in my opinion, never be satisfied, always striving to make your craft shine. With passion and anguish, conjoined with one another, so that when people indulge in it, they don't see you anymore, they are too taken by the spiritual choke you have placed on their psyche, and then nourished with euphoria.
- Derek Duvak