(Crossover prog) [WEB] Methexis (ex-Verbal Delirium) - 2011 - The Fall of Bliss, FLAC (tracks), lossless

"Greek project METHEXIS is the creative vehicle of Nikitas Kissonas (ex-VERBAL DELIRIUM, also currently a member of Greek conceptual avant garde performance band YIANNEIS). And it was following the release of their debut album that Kissonas hit the studio, to record music he had been working on for many years himself. With the aid of drummer Nikos Miras, and invaluable assistance by sound engineer Leonidas Petropolous, an album's worth of material unfolded, and was finalized as the CD ''The Fall of Bliss'' in 2011. An album aspiring to acknowledge the heritage of 1970's progressive rock whilst incorporating elements from music of a more contemporary origin, placed within a conceptual framework. Following the release of this initial production, preparations for a second Methexis CD have begun. This time also involving additional musicians applying their skills to the proceedings."
PA

"Nikitas Kissonas has completed his studies in classical and electric guitar, classical and contemporary advance theory and has been awarded the Licentiate Diploma of the London College Music in Electric Guitar Teaching. He is also a graduated Naval Architect. He has composed music for plays, choreographies and small length films among music for bands he participated in. He is also the guitarist of the art-alternative-rock band VERBAL DELIRIUM with whom they are about to release their first album called "So Close And Yet So Far Away". "Methexis" is the given name of the hopefully-soon-to-form project of Nikitas Kissonas. The tracks enlisted here are the Demos of what could one day be METHEXIS first album (named "Scape" perhaps). They are all composed and perfomed by Nikitas Kissonas at his home studio with the exception of "Lines on the Bust"where the piano part is beautifull played by Jargon (the composer-lyricist-singer andkeyboard player of VERBAL DELIRIUM). METHEXIS is in need of musicians (this includes singers!) to give life to these computerised demos! So, serious and down-to-earth proposals will be more than welcomed! "Methexis"means the spiritual encounter and communion between the worlds of perception and ideas! It was not chosen out of arrogance but out of pureneed to communicate with a listener along with music herself "in concert"!"
musicxray.com

Rating 3.64 from 31 ratings PA

"If you cast your mind back to 2010, you may recall a small-time, large-ambition Greek band Verbal Delirium releasing their first album, So Close and Yet So Far Away, which received praise here at DPRP. This year, the band have released a new album, From the Small Hours of Weakness, but I'm not here to talk about that. I was contacted by the band's ex-guitarist Nikitas Kissonas asking me to take a look at what is essentially his solo album, although he has recorded it under the moniker Methexis, meaning "the spiritual encounter and communion between the worlds of perception and ideas". Pretentious, but in a good way. If you've heard Verbal Delirium before then it won't surprise you to know that this album is full of well composed tracks showing a lot of musical maturity and restraint and is certainly never flashy. The musical style is that Steven Wilson-esque blend of suspenseful acoustic tracks and symphonic metal, although not too much of the latter. The big twist is that Kissonas plays all the instruments himself, except for the drums performed by Nikos Miras and the piano in Lines on a Bust played by bandmate Jargon. I was stunned; some of the music is very complex, so it is mind-boggling to think that one man put all this together and managed to play it too. Then again, remembering that this is the 40th anniversary of Tubular Bells, I suppose artists can make anything happen in their studios. Still, it's an impressive feat. The mood is generally rather eerie and suspenseful, much like the music from parent band Verbal Delirium. With repeated listens, I have hit upon my three favourite tracks, each of which, coincidentally, use odd time signatures in quite an effective way. The first is the lilting track Poetic Mirrors Wound Heroes, which features processed, and perhaps double-tracked vocals over a 6/4 rhythm, resulting in some infectious cadence. The second is Track the Saviours which is the closest Methexis come to straight metal, with distorted guitars and aggressive vocals. The oddest part of this song is the 5/4 refrain which counts as a sort of chorus. In a pseudo-dissonant tone, Kissonas repeats the phrases "Build a crown" and "Mental dryness" over this refrain; very creepy indeed! The highlight of the album is, as ever, the title suite, clocking in at 21 minutes. For the first half of the suite, Kissonas keeps the proceedings very atmospheric and intense. It is a slow suite, but the mood is very tangible. Just when you feel the bombastic main theme is about to kick in, Kissonas subverts expectations by playing another quiet verse. Very clever stuff. However, once the cat is out of the bag, the suite seems to meander. Indeed, the interlude seems to lose some of the energy of the piece, and the chorus in the second part isn't quite as effective. The final four minutes provide an interesting closing. The piece doesn't go out with a bang; rather, Kissonas chooses to wind down with a tasteful guitar solo before fading into the sound of a crowd shouting. For such an obscure artist, Methexis packs quite a punch. This album has atmosphere in spades, and is perfect for background or foreground listening. While the entire album is freely available for streaming from Bandcamp, it is certainly worth purchasing the physical album itself, to see the lavish booklet full of beautiful and interesting oil paintings by Dimitra Papadimitriou, a couple of which decorate this review. This is not an album to miss! Conclusion: 8 out of 10."
dprp.net

"One of my goals has always been to favor promotion of more obscure artists over those that get vast amounts of publicity. That is why I am grateful for the willingness of people like Nikitas Kissonas to make direct contact. It is guarantee not every CD sent is going to be gem. So far the majority has turned out to be something worth talking about like Methexis. Nikitas has been contributing to the progosphere as a member of Verbal Delerium. Even though two additional musicians do appear on “The Fall of Bliss,” Methexis is essentially Nikitas Kissonas on his own. Music originating in Greece is also a point interest. Outside of the classic Aphrodite’s Child you don’t hear much about Greek prog. An accent in the vocal and geography however are all that reflect the country of origin. Dark, gloomy and undeniably infectious, “The Fall of Bliss” owes to the classic sound but rests more comfortably in the modern realm. The strongest influence heard may be Discipline/Matthew Parmenter. Certainly Nikitas must be a fan of the vocal style, especially in the more seething passages. The symphonic title suite holds its own identity but travels in somewhat familiar territory. The first few tracks are where something a bit more unique takes place. Imagine once again the aforementioned influences and apply them on a jazz foundation. Disillusioned singers are not exactly scarce but how often do you have a jazzy little shuffle to go along with the depression? Not enough for you? Try some Manhattan Transfer-esque harmonies just for good measure. Throw in grooves, well placed keyboards, a hint of psychedelia, quality composition, excellent guitar work and Methexis is off and running. Of course because this is modern prog the obligatory metal licks are included as well. I knew the music would be worth checking out after hearing the website samples. The unexpected part was finding how much I liked “The Fall of Bliss” once the disc was in hand. Nikitas Kissonas is a talented musician and composer. But talent does not always translate into anything people want to hear. Methexis is a project with great appeal. Well, let me qualify that last statement. If you only like sunny happy tunes perhaps you might want to pass. I am a positive person, but good music is good music. I’ll take it in any mood. The effective blending of styles and top-notch musicianship are what makes the aficionado take notice. The alluring song craft is what keeps you coming back. “The Fall of Bliss’ was released in 2011, but I was only recently introduced. I certainly hope this project and its creator continue to make compelling music. As the rant frequently pops up here, prog must progress. Nikitas Kissonas is doing his part and deserves support."
riekels.wordpress.com

Nikitas Kissonas - vocals, guitars, bass, mandolin, keys, programming
Nikos Miras - drums
Jargon - piano (4)