Ziel

Ziel is a regional American alternative metal/hard rock group based in Chicago, Illinois. Over the short 2 years of the group's existence, the group managed to have a significant impact on the local Chicago music scene and the outlying region.

History

The beginning

Ziel was formed in the wake of a tragedy on August 27, 2005, after the passing of Juan Pablo Lopez. Lopez was a key member of Natoma Breathes, the original name of the four-piece Hard rock band, including Jordon Popp, Anthony Lojeski and Mike Przwosnik. On August 27, the band went on a small vacation to the Warren Dunes State Park on Lake Michigan, in order to celebrate the hiring of Kyle Lemerand as the new rhythm guitarist, completing the lineup. Reports state that during the time the band was in the water, the sand bar beneath the group gave way, causing a rip current. Two of the members were pulled several hundred yards off shore in a matter of minutes, before realizing the situation. Popp came close to drowning, and was pulled to shore with the help of Lemerand and Przwosnik. Lopez was nowhere to be found. The Coast Guard was able to recover Lopez, barely clinging to life. He died shortly thereafter in the ambulance en route to the hospital.