简介
Born out of the need for experimentation PALYRRIA is a band that has devised and perfected its own, unique musical style. Created in 1996 as a dance project it wasn’t until 1999 that the band decided to turn into its own musical direction, a mixture of western electronica and traditional music from around the Mediterranean. They call it world-electro and indeed this music is neither electronic nor ethnic. PALYRRIA has always been fascinated by traditional music and some of the band’s members have worked with renowned traditional musicians, but living in Greece one realizes that traditional music goes way beyond the last millennium, back in times when people chose to express themselves in much more ecstatic and paganistic ways. Ancient ceremonies around the Mediterranean have always been filled with music and musical expression. It wouldn’t be far from the truth if one was to draw a parallel between those events and the rave parties the world witnessed in the beginning of the nineties. The similarities are striking and have been the source of inspiration for the dynamic musical context of PALYRRIA. Aeolian scales, pentatonic music, instruments that come out of the depths of history, are presented alongside pumping bass lines, techno grooves, vocoders, clicks and cuts, in an attempt to create music that transcends the centuries and is both ancient and futuristic at the same time. One of the key elements in this attempt is live playing. PALYRRIA is a group of musicians - rather than a studio based project – all of which are specialized in their instruments and have the ability to reproduce their sound live on stage without the need of tapes or pre-recorded music. They prefer to think of electronics as a way of modernizing the old sounds rather than a means to an end. They are constantly “on the road†and consider live performance as the most vital function of the band. However studio albums are amongst their first priorities. They like the freedom and challenge of the recording process and they exploit digital technology to the maximum. Their CD releases so far are a clear demonstration of how the band is progressing. “Zero Gravity†was recorded live in 1999 released in 2001 and is filled with warm unprocessed music, with an emphasis on traditional instruments that captures the magic of live performing. “Palyrria†released in 2004 is a studio album were traditional sounds and electronics are equally present, the musical form is more concrete and the selection of instruments wider, at the same time that electronics have become more complex. Today PALYRRIA is ready to release its third record (release date May 7), their most mature to date. It’s seems that the band has strike a remarkable balance between its two diametrically opposed elements. Their ability to use electronics as a means for mutating the natural sound is here at its best, while composition has expanded in all directions. Cretan music, ancient Greek lyrics, Minor Asia tunes, Indian wind instruments and a poem from a Native American tribe performed in their original language, is only some of the musical treats that “Methexy†has to offer. Let the strangeness ware off and enjoy music that comes straight from the source!
