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.
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
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.
---------
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:
Porphyra interview
https://soundcloud.com/cosmos-fm-new-york/billy-chrissochos-porphyra-rock-opera-with-panos-satzoglou-at-cosmosfm-ny
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