THE FALL OF BLISS

It's true that prog rock had not been in fashion in Greece, at least since recently. After some great bands in the 70s (e.g. Aphrodite's Child, Akritas) it wasn't until Ciccada's debut [2010] that the genre surfaced again in the greek music map. Methexis is the music vehicle of Nikitas Kissonas, a guitarist from Athens, who sings on the whole album and plays everything, except drums (played by Nikos Miras, an exceptional drummer) and keyboards on one track, "Lines On A Bust" (by Kissonas' talented bandmate in Verbal Delirium, Jargon).

"The Fall Of Bliss" is a concept album in the traditional prog rock sense. However, lyrically it is quite unique as a concept, concerning personal, introvert and deeply sentimental themes which are connected to the current international economic and political crisis. As the album flows Kissonas presents multiple views through his lyrics, something like a sequence of impressions, feelings and intentions, ending quite poetically in a revolutionary manner .

The music of the album is basically progressive rock, mainly inspired and influenced by the '70s British prog scene. However, the music of Methexis has its own identity and all influences are very well blended into Kissonas' prog rock vision, which extends into a limited level of minimalistic experimentalism. There are some Yes and especially some Tresspass-era Genesis epic moments, whereas the vocals are characterized by the dark, melodic, narrative style of Peter Hammill (or M. Parmenter if you prefer, but with a strong British taste). The acoustic guitars are reminiscent of Hackett's pictorial, romantic and sophisticated melodies. Nevertheless, several vocal lines and guitar riffs are in the Steven Wilson vein, and alongside some metal elements which are evident here, they add a pleasant freshness to the music.

The unquestionable artistic success of the "The Fall Of Bliss" is based on the perfectionistic mixing (credits to Leonidas Petropoulos), Kissonas' wonderful and advetrurous performance and orchestration, and the unique dark/avant-gardish atmosphere throughout the whole album. Though he is not primarily a singer, Kissonas sings very well, especially in some tracks, where he shows true potential (if I had to mention one song, it would definitely be the irresistable "Lines On A Bust"). But Kissonas is basically a guitarist; a superb guitarist to be exact. What's more, instead of showing off his skills, he rather invests on his touch, his sound and his wonderful phrases and solos, which are the leading force in the album. The "empty" (or "sparse") moments of the album include some of the most (emotionally) successful parts here.

This is not just a prog rock album. It is the display of a compound, and yet solid, music suggestion with a sincere and genuine intention.

A real piece of art, recommended to all fans of British progressive rock.

Favorite tracks: "Eradicated Will", "Lines On A Bust", "The Fall Of Bliss: Intro, Part 1"