Written by Rob La Duca:
While California-based Under the Sun released their debut record for Magna Carta Records in early 2000, the band's history dates back at least ten years. Guitarist and band leader Chris Shryack and bassist Kurt Barabas met back in 1989 and began to write original heavy progressive music despite its lack of popularity at that time. The next four years was an amorphous time for the band, going through a few permutations including one with a violinist and a designated vocalist. On New Year's Day 1993 keyboardist Matt Evidon strode into his first audition, boldly proclaimed "Look no further!", and has been a fixture since. By the time the original vocalist departed, Shryack had developed enough confidence and took on the job himself. In early 1997 drummer Paul Shkut auditioned to record a demo that featured some of the songs on the debut album, and was immediately incorporated into the band. The current lineup of Under the Sun was cemented with Shkut's addition.