Axis - Axis (1973)

Un disco para el asombro. Siguiendo nuestro derrotero por el rock griego, siguiendo la temática impuesta por el Mago Alberto en su Escuelita de Rock, ahora vamos con Axis con el comentario de la querida Vicky, y si querés saber porqué le gustó tanto dale play al video: estos tipos son inclasificables, tienen mucho de jazz rock y de psicodelia, pero también de Canterbury y Avant Garde y tampoco les falta entradas atmosféricas, entre otras cosas. Les presentamos un muy buen disco que viene gracias a nuestra querida princesa cabezona.

Artista: Axis

Álbum: Axis
Año: 1973
Género: rock progresivo, jazz rock/fusion
Duración: 42:03
Nacionalidad: Grecia

Lista de Temas:

1. Waiting a Long Time (4:26)
2. Sewers Down Inside (6:19)
3. Materializing the Unlimited (5:03)
4. Asymphonia I (5:05)
5. Suspended Precipice (1:48)
6. Roads (5:05)
7. Asymphonia II (2:50)
8. Dancing Percussion (2:38)
9. Pa Vu Ga Di (3:44)
10. The Planet Vavoura (4:05) 

Alineación:

- Dimitris Katakouzinos / bass
- Demis Visvikis / keyboards, vocals, percussion
- Chris Stassinopoulos / guitar
- George Hadjiathanassiou / drums, percussion 

Siguiendo con la saga griega, hoy les traemos el tercer disco de Axis, otra banda progresiva proveniente de estas tierras, dignísima (muy dignísima!!!) de ser conocida. No hay mucha información sobre ella, así que si alguien tiene algo para comentar sobre el disco, será muy bien recibido! Por lo que averigüé, la banda la formaron en 1970 Dimitris Katakouzinos y Demis Visvikis, quienes en aquel momento se encontraban viviendo en Francia. Como dato curioso, leí por ahí que sólo se publicó en Francia y Canadá, así que estamos frente a una verdadera rareza progresiva. 

El álbum en cuestión es su tercer y último trabajo, ya que luego se disolvería la banda. Únicamente publicaron tres discos: dos en 1971 (Ela Ela y Axis) y otro en 1973 (también llamado Axis).  Lamentablemente no tuve la oportunidad de escuchar sus trabajos anteriores, pero por algunos comentarios que vi, parece ser que son bastante distintos, mucho más orientados a la psicodelia.

 ¿Qué decir de este álbum? Si tuviera que decir a qué género pertenece, la verdad es que me sentiría un poco incómoda. Por un lado porque en general me cuesta un poco encasillar a la música, es algo que va más allá de mi propia voluntad. Pero más allá de ese pequeño detalle, lo cierto es que hay diversas influencias en Axis que hacen difícil esta tarea. Acá hay de todo. En tan sólo diez canciones, se encuentran desplegadas muchas influencias de jazz, free jazz, momentos más bien experimentales y atmosféricos (incluso hay alguna que otra parte que me recuerda a ciertas bandas de Krautrock) y heavy prog.

El disco abre con “Wating For A Long Time”, y creo que es de lo más concreto de todo el disco, a pesar de que poco antes de que termine se deshace la canción. Es un poco como pasa con bandas como Matching Mole (por nombrar una), donde las composiciones se arman y desarman con mucha libertad. De hecho, la canción termina con un final abierto, dándole pie a lo que se viene: “Sewers Down Inside”. Acá ya entramos de lleno en terrenos experimentales y espaciales, y prepárense para lo que queda del viaje porque no hay retorno. Luego de la tranquilidad y de la bella melodía final, “Materializing The Unlimited” irrumpe con su pesadez para turbar un poco el clima anterior. “Asymphonia I”, “Asymphonia II”, “Dancing Percussion”, todas ellas son locuras experimentales fascinantes. “Suspended Precipice” es una interesantísima composición de corta duración que nos da un pequeño respiro luego de “Asymphonia I” y que nos conduce directamente a “Roads”. Bueno, supongo que a esta altura ya habrán visto lo variadas pero definidas que son las influencias musicales. 

La verdad es que este álbum me sorprendió enormemente, y mi sorpresa va aumentando con cada escucha. El trabajo que hicieron estos músicos es, para mí, extraordinario. Espero que lo disfruten mucho!!

Y, como a menudo, no estaría publicando este disco si Moe no lo hubiera conseguido, así que no se olviden de agradecerle!

Por cierto, “Waiting For A Long Time” no les hace acordar un poquiiiiiito a “Owner Of A Lonely Heart”? Es posible que Trevor Rabin haya escuchado Axis? (aclaro por las dudas que no es para nada mi época favorita de Yes jajajaj)

Otros comentarios:

"A strangely disjointed mixture of hard rock, psychedelia and jazz fusion, this self-titled 1973 album was actually the Greek group's third overall, and the second to be named after the group. Although not too much is known about Axis, we do know that they were one of a number of Greek groups who moved to France sometime during the early 1970s, hoping to join up with the vibrant French music scene and hopefully win themselves a recording contract, though ultimately they failed to find true commercial success. Led by keyboardist-and-vocalist Demis Visvikis and also featuring Alexandros Fantis(bass), Chris Stassinopoulos(guitar) and George Hadjiathanassiou(drums), Axis' third album is considered by some to be one of Greece's all-time great prog-rock albums, though by their own admittance the Greek scene wasn't exactly large. Of course, you can't really have a discussion about Greek prog without bringing up the legendary Aphrodite's Child, home to Demis Roussous and Vangelis Papathanassiou, two of Greece's biggest musical exports and, later on, international stars in their own right. Like Aphrodite's Child's career-defining double-album '666', 'Axis' contains a plethora of styles, textures and tones, skipping enthusiastically between fusion-style flourishes and Canterbury-flecked organ runs to initially bemusing effect. Subsequent listens, however, reveal a talented quartet at work, and a slightly hard-rock edge that plays nicely off the album's fusion- dominated mid-section. Occasionally, the group do wander off into strange little musical side-streets, yet for the most they manage to carve out an interesting and mainly instrumental album. It may, then, take a little time to sink in, as multiple listens are required to truly grasp what is happening, but even then one shouldn't expect any great shakes. This is a good, interesting album, yet it doesn't quite manage to serve up any real, killer melodies or stand-out tunes for a supposedly 'lost classic'. If you liked '666' you'll dig 'Axis', though the album's fragmented nature may well put some listeners off. STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2015"

stefro 

"Similarly to their better-known countrymen, Aphrodite's Child, Axis were a Greek outfit, who moved to France, because of the right-wing regime in their motherland. The band was formed in 1970 by multiinstrumentalists Dimitris Katakouzinous and Demis Visvikis. In 1971, they released their debut album Ela Ela, which featured their take on a Greek folk standard of the same title. The work was heavily inspired by the contemporary psychedelic pop. 1972 marked the release of their self-titled album. One year later, Axis released another album by the name Axis, which was radically different than all their previous efforts, only to break up soon after.The style of Axis' swansong shows strong influence of Canterbury scene bands such as Soft Machine, Egg, and Matching Mole, jazz-rock of Nucleus, Mahavishnu Orchestra or Keith Jarrett, free jazz of Sun Ra and Ornette Coleman, hard rock reminiscent of Uriah Heep and Free, and progressive rock of acts such as King Crimson. There are also some electronic parts that seem to owe a great deal to Can, Tangerine Dream, and Klaus Schulze. So far, so good, right? The elements of the previously mentioned groups seem to work especially well, creating an unclassifiable musical extract. The band's sound is characterized by rich instrumental layers, professional musicianship, and exceptionally clever detailing.The instrumental abilities of Axis' members really deserve a mention. Demis Visvikis's keyboards play a crucial role in the band's sound. He goes from Thelonious Monk-inspired jazz on grand piano, to bulldozer-like fuzz organ, very much in the vein of Dave Stewart, to ambient Mellotron parts. Chris Stassinopoulos' guitar playing is versatile as well. He finds himself comfortable playing heavy rhythm guitar riffs and jazz guitar solos alike. These are supported by a very competent rhythm section of Dimitris Katakouzinos on bass, who is capable of phenomenal grooves and George Hadjiathanassiou on drums, who keeps up very well with the band's dynamic style.There are ten tracks on Axis and I could easily say that every single one has its own distinct style. There is, however, a sort of inexplicable link between them that makes them sound alike and prevents the release from sounding inconsistent for that matter. The pieces go from hard rock-fueled 'Waiting A Long Time', to the ambient 'Sewers Down Inside', to free jazz-inspired 'Asymphonia', to majestic, liturgical 'Pa Vu Ga Di'. In short, the band makes great use of their record time, not limiting themselves to only one style.Throughout its four-year career, Axis managed to release three albums. Their self-titled work from 1973 is their last and definitely their most accomplished effort. Its main characteristics are enormous eclecticism and near-to-flawless musicianship. With such a wide plethora of influences, it perhaps is not very innovative, but entertaining throughout and well-worth your time. Highly recommended for fans of obscure progressive rock and Canterbury scene!"

ALotOfBottle 

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