THE FALL OF BLISS

Methexis is the project of Greek musician Nikitas Kissonas, who wrote all the music and plays all the instruments except drums (and piano on one song). So that means he plays all the guitars and electric keyboards and does all the programming. The music here sounds like modern symphonic prog with a strong dose of prog metal and maybe a little bit of the more experimental and avant prog. Nikitas also does all the vocals (sometimes double-tracking and/or overdubbing himself). He has a varied vocal style, changing sometimes within the same song.

"Eradicated Will" begins the album based around catchy yet proggy guitar lines and vocals. This almost has a country music vibe to it. The 'chorus' parts sound almost prog metal. Nice guitar solo in a Gilmour/Hackett/Latimer style. I like how the keyboard sounds gradually get more prominent in the mix. "Poetic Mirrors Wound Heroes" reminds me of 70s symph prog yet doesn't sound derivitive. The overdubbed vocal harmonies almost sound like Yes. Some nifty keyboard work in this song. Love the instrumental section which leads up to a classic symph prog style synth solo.

"Those Howling Wolves" features Nikatas singing in an almost Hammill style before switching to a more harmonized, Genesis style of singing. He is backed by some electronic beats and programming. Besides that there is electric piano and synthetic choir sounds...just ethereal synth sounds in general. The Genesis-y 'chorus' parts have acoustic guitars. Eventually 'real' drums show up and then organ sounds before eventually returning to the original part with a nice jazzy guitar solo. Drums come back and we get a symph prog/prog metal guitar solo. "Lines On A Bust" is a nice piano and vocal song. I generally don't like these kind of songs, prefering acoustic guitar-and-vocals only songs. I feel this would be better with the full band treatment.

In complete contrast, "Track The Saviours" is straight up prog metal. I wouldn't want the whole album to sound like this but this track is a nice break. Not only the music but the vocals are delivered in a very prog metal way. Even the guitar solo features finger-tapping. One of the standout tracks. "The Aftermath" starts out with acoustic guitar and Hammill like vocals. Then symphonic keyboard sounds and a more melodic style of singing. The two parts alternate. Later some Mellotron sounds on an old scratchy record (at least that's what its supposed to sound like). That stops and the song comes back before being forced to end by a needle scratching across the vinyl.

The last four tracks comprise the epic title track. "Intro" is bird sounds and classical style acoustic guitar. "Part 1" opens on a dark and sinister note. Some prog metal before it switches to non-prog metal-prog with a great syncopated beat, acoustic guitar soloing and symphonic synth sounds. Later a more straight-forward beat with snare rim hitting. Then a glockenspiel or toy piano or similar before more Hammill like vocals appear. Some synthetic choir sounds and backwards talking at one point with some great church organ sound. Gradually an instrumental section with some cool keyboard and guitar work. Have to mention the bass work-subtle but effective.

"Interlude" has some Mellotron flute sounds mixed with harmonized humming, and another wind instrument sound. Then a string synth drone before a capella vocals reprises "Part 1" Then more keyboard sounds join in as a guitar solos. Then the rhythm section kicks in and it's prog metal time. Ends all nice and pretty again. "Part 2" starts off similar to "Part 1" Eventually goes into a groove with a nice long guitar solo. You can hear a crowd chanting throughout off and on; the album ends fading out the crowd which begins to applaud. I would like to applaud Mr. Kissonas for making such a fine album.

This is generally modern day symph prog, but it doesn't sound like a lot of the other slick retro stuff out there. I've found that a lot of today's self-released/independently released music sounds better than a lot of the more major label stuff: more dynamics and less compressed sounding. This album is no exception. The CD release is a nice digipak with an illustrated booklet. The actual CD is meant to look like vinyl with the grooves for each song (I have yet to actually play it on a turntable to see if it works). Overall, a great release. Recommended to those symph fans who want something a little more modern sounding, or prog metal fans who want something a little less heavy. 4 stars.