AKRITAS

Akritas - "Akritas" (Polydor 1973)

Next to Aphrodite's Child, this is the only 70's progressive rock band from Greek that I'm aware of. Musically it seems that the band took influences from a lot of different bands. Some parts sounds a little like ELP, while other seems to be influenced by such different artists as Amon Düül II, Rick Wakeman and maybe some Osanna. The tracks varies from quite improvisated to more structured and theme-based. Lots of keyboards in here. A very varied album with several good parts, but personally I don't think it's good enough to be called a classic. But its sure a interesting album anyway.

Taken from www.vintageprog.com

 

Akritas - Akritas. LP + 7", £28.00 (ANAZITISI RECORDS - ARLP 70-5)

Perhaps, the most ambitious Greek progressive album. Akritas formed in late 1972 by ex-Poll, Stavros Logarides and ex-Bourboulia, Aris Tasoulis. This 1973 concept release is full of complex multi-instrumental rhythmic patterns and musical textures. Psychospace guitars, baroque organs, jazz-piano tunes, thunderous drumming, swirling sound-effects and soaring vocals...Mixing the finest moments of Spring, Gracious, Arcadium, Dr.Z, ELP, Ossana, Canterbury music scene, Amon Duul II, Frank Zappa, greek traditional music with their own unique and uncomparable stigma! The greek lyrics to Akritas are written by Costas Ferris, responsible for Aphrodite's Child masterwork, "666". A mega prog killer and much in demand... This will be its' first vinyl reissue since 1973.LP + 7", 180gr german pressing, heavy gtf laminated cover, 2 pages insert (30x50) with story, lyrics, photos in english

Taken from www.freakemporium.com

Tracklist:

1. Eisbomeis 2:02 2. Gennhsh 2:16 3. Ta Paidia 3:24 4. Mnhmh 1:46 5. Epistrofh 2:51 6. Agaph 4:25 7. Ego 1:01 8. Tragoudi 3:50 9. To Panhguri 2:45 10. To Qauma 1:47 11. To Oneiro 3:24 12. Kai idou ippos clwros 1:03 13. Katakthsh & zeta zwpzeta 3:05

Total Time: 33:39

Akritas is a nice, varied, a bit ELP influenced band but PLJ Band with their splendid and captivating album Armageddon (see my review) is superior  !

Thanks guys!!!

AKRITAZ is very good,pretty captivating and emotional.I'm for inclusion!!!

I think you wil find the whole greek scene overlooked from the late 60's through mid 70's.  Some other very good albums that go generally unnoticed are:

Axis - s/t and Dimitris Poulikakos - Metaforai Ekdromai-O Mitsos, definite masterpieces. PLJ's Armagedon album, has a killer opening track, the rest is so-so, as I recall but the opening track is one of the best from the Greek scene.

Edited by DallasBryan - November 04 2006 at 19:37