Κυριακή 13 Αυγούστου 2017

"The Starmaker's Prophecy"

Greetings dear friends. Our new album, "The Starmaker's Prophecy" is finally out!

Our new album, "The Starmaker's Prophecy" is out!
Get your digital copy of the new album at CDBaby:
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/porphyra3
And ITUNES:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-starmakers-prophecy/id1260118965
We are now available for radio interviews and press.

Our HOT new single is a modern retelling of an old 1900’s rembetiko (Greek blues), swinging 1960’s surf music, belly dancing epic!
Porphyra - Misirlou
Album: The Starmaker's Prophecy
Via Nobody's Records
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDdqjOuMyUc

Here are all the details about it!

ALBUM NOTES

This album features songs from the entire “Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera” Trilogy.
Full bio on CDBABY and website.

STUDIO MUSICIANS

Vocalist: Elaine Tuttle ("Frontiers" Journey Tribute, "Girls, Girls, Girls" Motley Crue Tribute)
Guest Vocalist: Mike Cotoia (ex "Ross the Boss" -classic Manowar Tribute)
Mike "Risko" Savvas - Guitar, Tzoura, and additional Bass
Billy Chrissochos - Guitar
Grzegorz "Greg" Swirszcz - Bass
Richard Khuzami - Percussionist
Tracey "Tre Boogie" Beavers - Drums  

Guest musicians:
Keyboards on "St. Basil's Hymn" by Jesse Pieper
Guest Guitar solo on "The Tale of Bygone Years" by Mark "M.E." Edwards (solo artist and founding member of Overlorde)
Guest Guitar outro solo on "Forever" by Aady Pandit 
Additional Bass by Mike “Risko” Savvas 

Lyrics and Music by Porphyra
Additional Contributors:
*"City of Gold" lyrics by Christos Alexandrou. Music by Christos Alexandrou, Mike "Risko" Savvas, Billy Chrissochos and Aady Pandit.

Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Aady Pandit 
Produced by Aady Pandit, Billy Chrissochos and Mike "Risko" Savvas

Cover Artwork by Vassilios "Billy" Chrissochos
Title "The Return of the Porphyrogenita"
              
NOTES ON THE SONGS

1)         City of Gold: Takes us on a captivating trip through the enchanting city of Constantinople.
2)         Always on My Mind: Is an epic semi ballad, anthemic, prog/hard rock love story from Anna and Vladimir.
3)            Misirlou: A new twist on an old classic Rembetiko Greek song from the beginning of the last century.
4)            Forever: This is the story of Odysseus and Circe.
5)         I am Nobody: This is the story of Odysseus and his confrontation with the Cyclops Polyphemus.
6)         St. Basil’s Hymn: Our new arrangement and take for the classic Greek New Year’s Carol.
7)         The Tale of Bygone Years: A chapter taken from the Russian Primary Chronicle depicting Princess Anna Porphyrogenita of Greece (Byzantium) and her wedding to Grand Prince Vladimir of the Kievan Rus.
8)         Hook Through my Heart: Another anthemic love story from Anna and Vladimir.
9)         The Starmaker’s Prophecy: A monster space prog/metal epic.
10)       St. Basil’s Hymn (Instrumental): BONUS instrumental take of the classic Greek New Year’s Carol.


BIOGRAPHY

In 1998, Billy Chrissochos co-founded the Hard Rock/Power Metal group Phoenix Reign (previously Phoenix) which in 2007 spawned a cult classic album called “Destination Unknown.” In 2013, the outfit was re-branded as Porphyra and in 2014 introduced to the world a new album called “Faith, Struggle, Victory” that would spawn a Rock Opera. This inspirational new album was labeled “Melodic Metal for the Soul” and “Byzantine Rock” by the press.  New York City finally got the eclectic, modern Rock band it deserved that incorporated Hard Rock and Symphonic Metal with Greek folk, punk, progressive and classical textures.

The MMA inspired music video for “No Fear” featuring guitarist Mike “Risko” Savvas and directed by fellow co-guitarist Billy Chrissochos was an Official Selection in the Williamsburg Film Festival in September 2015.

On May 3rd, 2015 Porphyra the band does the impossible. A dream becomes a reality and years of hard work come to fruition. “Porphyra, a Grecian Rock Opera. Anna and Vladimir: The love that ROCKED the world,” debuted and electrified Zankel Hall at the prestigious Carnegie Hall. The music based on the album with additional compositions, dances and so much more, thrilled the finicky NY crowd.  This was the first Greek Inspired Rock Opera of its kind and the first to debut at Carnegie Hall’s renowned Zankel Theater. “This was a first step towards taking our opera to the Broadway stage,” states founder Billy Chrissochos.

Set in the year 988AD, the Heroic Age of Basil II Emperor of Byzantium, the story chronicles the real-life romance between Princess Anna Porphyrogenita and Grand Prince Vladimir of the Kievan Rus. An incredible story of Love, War and Peace brought to life through Hard Rock and Greek Folk music, dancing, actors, and a full rock orchestra.

On May 13th-15th, 2016, “Porphyra, a Grecian Rock Opera,” made its triumphant Off Broadway debut for a three day limited run at the famed West Village Players Theatre.  With more songs and characters the shows electrified the weekend’s audiences.  The group and show was awarded and is now officially under the auspices of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and its Greek affiliate UNESCO Club of the Department of Piraeus and Islands. Another surprise is that the album “Faith, Struggle, Victory” won BEST ROCK ALBUM in the Akademia Music Awards in 2016.

Community leaders finally began to see the educational benefit and entertainment value of “Anna and Vladimir: The love that ROCKED the world.” On June 2nd-3rd, 2017, for three shows, the updated production debuted at the historic Flushing Town Hall in Queens, NY. The show was proudly presented by the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce and UNESCO recognized the Chamber for their cross-cultural presentation of Porphyra’s Rock Opera during a news conference on Friday, May 13, 2017. This press conference brought the production team for the first time to the Asian community of Flushing.

The production is critically hailed as “PICK OF THE WEEK” from “It’s in Queens” popular online blog, the Queens Tribune and Queens Gazette. And the press, local and civic leaders rave and give their seal of approval! The opera incorporates rock and roll, dance, and theatrics to entertain and educate people on a fascinating era of history (with lessons for today).

July of 2017 Porphyra released their highly expected follow up album “The Starmaker’s Prophecy” featuring new songs that are included in the updated Rock Opera. The album is released under their own label, “Nobody’s Records,” in conjunction with UNESCO.

Guitarist Billy Chrissochos with guitarist/Tzoura player Mike “Risko” Savvas, drummer Tracey “Tre” Beavers, internationally renowned percussionist Richard Khuzami along with powerhouse vocalist Elaine Tuttle and some of the best talent in NYC are ready to bring this amazing new album and unique Rock Opera to the masses.

Hope to see you all there!

Porphyra Foundation Inc, is a not for profit 501 (c) 3 and every donation (is tax deductible) and purchase of merchandise will go towards helping this production on its way to Broadway.

ENJOY and please write a review and do not forget to tell your friends about us. Like us on FACEBOOK.

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HERE IS WHAT THE PRESS, ALONG WITH LOCAL AND CIVIC LEADERS, HAD TO SAY ABOUT PORPHYRA, A GRECIAN ROCK OPERA, THE BAND AND THE MUSIC!

“The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present this wonderful cross-cultural performance of Anna & Vladimir. We hope this collaboration with Porphyra will strengthen our relationship between the Greek community and the many New Yorkers from around the world who now live and work in Flushing. We invite you to join us in this unique celebration of New York’s most diverse and dynamic community!”
Taehoon Kim, President of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce.

 “My small country, Greece, which is going through troubled times now, has a very strong weapon; its culture, history and the arts. Byzantine History is a most attractive history and the way Porphyra has worked to create this very important show, has breathed new life to the pivotal story of Anna and Vladimir. On behalf of UNESCO club of the department of Piraeus and Islands I congratulate the work of our Director of Modern Music in NY, Mr. Billy Chrissochos, on his mission to educate and build Cross–Cultural bridges between the Asian and Greek communities and the greater American public.”
Mr. Ioannis Maronitis, President of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands and Member of the Board of the World Federation of Associations and Club Centers for UNESCO.

“Porphyra, A Grecian Rock Opera is a wonderful blend of Greek history and modern rock music. A new experience everyone should see.”
Queens Community Board 1 District Manager Florence Koulouris.

“Only in Flushing can you find Greek folk music, belly dancing and a full rock orchestra performing in sync. The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce put together a unique and colorful production of this classic tale, and we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to bear witness right here in Queens.”
Peter Koo NYC Council Member 20th District, Queens.

The Spin on the relationship of Anna Porphyrogenitos and Prince Vladimir was well presented by the talented music and actors performing on stage.  I enjoyed all aspects of the performance from music to costumes and movement of the theme through the various acts of the opera; an effective way to bring alive historical themes from the past. Perhaps youth could come to appreciate history through such performances.”
Reverend Father Paul Palesty, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church.

"This was a thrilling historical journey that has never been explored in such a unique way.”
Igor Kochan, President Russian Youth of the USA.

“A live band playing their original rock music accompanied by spectacular belly dancers. It is really worth it!”
World Journal. Most influential Chinese-language newspaper in North America.

"Porphyra is one of the most important cultural endeavors undertaken by members of the Greek American community. As a history presentation, it brings to life our Byzantine heritage, especially for our children. The musical compositions and performances are helping put Hellenes on New York's artistic map and the participants are an inspiration for our children."
Constantine Sirigos, journalist.

“Billy Chrissochos has taken some obscure Byzantine history and transformed it into a vibrantly romantic musical experience that expands the parameters of the rock genre in most interesting ways. The performance I saw was flawlessly presented by talented musicians, attractive principals with strong voices, and dancers with all the right moves. Ranging from rock and heavy metal to tender ballads, the score beautifully captures both the political intrigue as well as the romantic nuances of the love story PORPHYRA has to tell. The audacity of the concept works beautifully, giving new life to a very old love story.”
Jimmy DeMetro, Director of NYC Greek Film Festival.

“Porphyra's, A Grecian Rock Opera - Anna and Vladimir: The love that Rocked the World” was nothing short of fantastic. Everyone in the production was spectacular from the musicians to the singers. It was a phenomenal Rock concert with a Hellenic Byzantine Opera twist, and a must see. Congratulations to all!”
Lou Katsos, President, EMBCA (East Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance).

"Most of us can remember special moments in our lives, I can say I have experienced one of those when I attended the performance of Porphyra's: A Grecian Rock Opera, Anna & Vladimir: The Love That Rocked The World, on Friday June 2nd at the Flushing Town Hall. I'm happy and proud to have been there that night. It's not everyday, or even common for a Greek-American to be able to enjoy a magnificent and unique piece of entertainment, and also be proud of your heritage at the same time, Bravo Porphyra! You did it for me. I wish you continued success, and I hope to catch your next great experience.”
Peter Giakoumis, historian, author and Press Secretary for Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands NYC Modern Music Chapter.

“What is there to say about the new Greek Rock Opera “Anna and Vladimir: The Love That ROCKED the World,” of Billy Chrissochos? It is exciting music that has fine musicians and majestic singers and a grandiose and highly successful cast and crew. I cheer and applaud the production and director Despina Chrissochos and Associate Producer Peishan Lo in all their hard work in achieving this!”
Panayiotis Karousos, world renowned opera and classical music composer.
President of The Hellenic American Center of the Arts. 

We are the Queens Tribune spotlight of the week:

Pick of the week for "It's in Queens:

Unesco cross cultural awarded event: (In Greek and if you scroll down in English)

Also Queens Gazette:

The National Herald: Greek-American newspaper

World Journal: Chinese-American newspaper

Sponsored by the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce:

Here is our promo video from the Greek And Russian Club:


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