Love at Last
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2011 in Tampa, Florida, United States |
| Founder | Andrew Zink |
| Headquarters | Tampa , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Andrew Zink (vocalist, songwriter, producer) |
| Products | Progressive heavy metal music |
| Website | www |
Love at Last is a progressive heavy metal band originating from Tampa, Florida, initially established under the name Akeldama in 2011 by Andrew Zink, who serves as vocalist, songwriter, and producer. Following the release of their first EP and debut album, the group underwent a rebranding in March 2017 accompanied by changes in membership. Their sophomore album was planned for release in 2019 through Hollowed Records.
2011–2013: Origins and EP
Formed in mid-2011 in Tampa, Florida, Akeldama began as a six-member heavy progressive metal ensemble led by Andrew Zink, who took on roles including vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer. After leaving his former band, Zink composed and recorded tracks independently via online collaboration, which garnered attention and eventually led him to assemble a live-performing lineup. The name Akeldama was derived from an online pseudonym previously used by Zink.
On March 28, 2011, the band released a self-titled EP featuring three tracks as a complimentary download. This EP was entirely produced and recorded by Zink at his home studio, Zink Audio, with other members adding supplementary instrumentation to his foundational work. In October 2012, Akeldama performed at the eighth Euroblast Festival held in Cologne, Germany. They financed their own travel and appeared without formal promotion. John Sprich, founder of Euroblast, later visited them in Florida and provided valuable critique that helped shape their future direction. Acting on his advice, they produced a music video for "Motionless; Emotionless" using only an iPhone. Subsequently, Akeldama supported Scar Symmetry on a brief European tour.
2013–present: Everything Beautiful and forthcoming album
Akeldama’s first full-length album, Everything Beautiful, was independently launched on September 6, 2013. This concept record explores the narrative of "two souls bound eternally by love" and includes guest contributions from Skyharbor guitarist Keshav Dhar, former TesseracT vocalist Ashe O'Hara, and Scar Symmetry guitarist Per Nilsson. The album’s title track was released as the lead single and set the thematic tone for the project. It received positive critical reception and gained chart placements on metal platforms such as GotDjent and Mind Equals Blown. In June 2014, Akeldama secured a two-album distribution agreement with the independent label Rogue Records America. To commemorate this partnership, their Akeldama EP was remastered and made available as a free digital download. The band also became part of Project Rogue, a collaborative video series featuring various rock and metal artists.
On March 20, 2017, the group announced their transition to the name Love at Last following the departure of guitarist and vocalist Jeremy Knapp who left to pursue a career in firefighting. This change resulted in Reibling assuming guitar duties exclusively while Zink took over as sole lead vocalist. After signing with Hollowed Records, their second studio album was initially scheduled for release in 2018. By October 2017, Owen previewed an upcoming lead single and characterized Love at Last’s sound as reminiscent of Akeldama but with fewer harsh vocals from Reibling and more high-register singing from Zink. The band’s new name reflects its emphasis on themes of optimism and the belief that "love conquers all." Originally intended as a double concept album, the forthcoming release was revised into a single album without an overarching concept and targeted for launch in 2019.
EPs
- Akeldama (2011)
Studio albums
- Everything Beautiful (2013)
- TBA (2019)
Current lineup
- Andrew Zink – lead vocals, production
- Connor Reibling – guitar (from March 2017 onward), vocals (until 2017)
- Eric Owen – guitar
- Michael Schweitzer – bass guitar
- Evan Thibeault – drums and percussion
Past members
- Jeremy Knapp – guitar (up to March 2017)