THE FALL OF BLISS

Greece is probably not the "proggest" country in the world , but in last some years it regularly gives us some prog rock influenced albums. Methexis ( solo project of Verbal Delirium ex- member and current Yianneis' guitarist Nikitas Kissonas) debut reminded me another Greek band Ciccada's debut, released few years ago.And even if Ciccada's music was well arranged modern symphonic folk/prog rock and Methexis is mostly one-man project (with some help from drummer and guesting pianist on one song), music of both bands has one thing in common - it's soulful and melodic roots.

The Fall Of Bliss is epos, mixing art-rock, pop-rock and some heavy metal elements with strong vocals, packed in nice paper fold-out case (with Greek painter Dimitra Papadimitriou drawings - what a beautiful colors!). Nikitas tells you a (musical) story - even if music doesn't contain even traces of Greek musical tradition, Greek historical tradition is obviously presented here. Mid-tempo, narrative,full of dramatic tension songs change each other scrolling out sound panorama filled with crying guitars, keyboards passages and electronic airy noises. As almost all Southern-European prog, the music on this album is not about demonstration of technical abilities, but about emotions. Will you like it or not depend on your heart, not head.

I am usually quite skeptical towards one-man projects music: even great musical ideas,played and recorded by excellent musician too often sound static and even dead-like when produced in studio adding sound layer over layer. This album is partially avoided such result, even if in moments whole sound is a bit flat. Probably my main note is being very energetic, rhythmical structure and tempo of all compositions are very similar, so from some point the music can start sounding a bit monotonic. I believe more rhythm changes and more various rhythmical structure would work as spices in good food making it delicious.

The album for fans of melodic, energetic, not too complex epic music with touch of darkness. My rating is 3,5 rounded to 4.