Forbidden Myth – 'Zantea Chronicles': A musical story

Welcome to a musical story! The Forbidden Myth are getting ready to take us on a journey through their first concept album. The record 'Zantea Chronicles: The Dream Dominator', will plunge us into a dark world and unfold its legendary tales for us! The concept is an epic rock musical collection, introducing audiences to a brand new fictional world with plenty of intriguing characters.

The record is out exclusively via Bandcamp (in digital format with a digital booklet) and, coming soon, as a lyric movie on YouTube.

The driving force of the band

The Αντώνης Αδελφίδης is the musical 'glue' that binds together the Forbidden Myth. The lyricist, composer and keyboardist is a student of the multi-instrumentalist Γιώργου Κατσάνου, and has formed many projects across different musical genres over the last 20 years.

Specifically: 

• ΖΑΝΤ (Greek Pop-Rock) together with bassist and composer Ζαννής Πολυκανδριώτης. They have released 2 LPs (Νιώσε την μουσική, Τέλος εποχής).
• UnderGround Society (Hard Rock/Heavy Metal) together with guitarist and composer Δημήτρης Κοιδάκης. They have released 2 EPs (The A.R.69 Years EP, Confused?).
• The Electric Bootleg (Rock). Has released 1 EP (Left Hand Maniac) and a single (Kemi's Odyssey).
• Underground (Instrumental Rock/Metal). Has released 2 singles (Yarn Tangle, Atypical Vicinity).
• Unforgettable Homeland (Heavy metal). Has released the single (353000) dedicated to the Pontic genocide.
• Τα παραμυθάκια του Σωτήρη (Children's tales). Has released 1 album (Μπαμπακάκι το πιθηκάκι, with texts by Γιώργος Βάλβης) and an EP (Τα παραμυθάκια του Σωτήρη, with texts by Σωτήρης Αδελφίδης).
• The Jellyfish Project(Electro pop) together with the singer/composer of Διόνυσος, Δημήτρη Πετροβίτση. They've released the EP(Deadly Sting).

Beyond the above milestones in Αντώνη's career, he has also released the thematic rock album, "For a redeemed soul”.

Through his latest project Forbidden Myth, he releases the epic rock concept album, "Zantea Chronicles : The Dream Dominator" based on a story by Μυρτώ Γρηγοριάδη. In it, eight singers take on roles in a story that unfolds through 20 songs, with a total duration of over 100 minutes. The distinctive feature of the music is the absence of electric guitar/bass, in an album that "moves" from rock (classic, pomp, prog, epic, hard) all the way to metal.

On the music

Listening to the album, it's easy to understand that the music of Forbidden Myth makes use of many instruments and many different sounds. While rhythmically we have straight timestamps, in all other elements there's enormous diversity. Electric and acoustic pianos, theremin and Hammond Organs are just some of what's used. This creates multiple layers of sound, which are used to build the songs.

Sonically, the album has a strong electronic element (you get that feel from the Synth and the electric piano). Another element that gives it a distinctive feel is the use of different vocals. The listener feels that each track is a standalone story with a beginning, middle and end. On the other hand, the album's mix is very solid and measured, placing the instruments in the right frequency spot and separating them properly.

If I had one criticism, it would be about the placement of the vocals. Personally, I'd like them to stand out much more in the mix, especially in spots where the track has synth (in the 'cleaner' parts they're very distinct). In those specific parts the vocals seem to kind of 'blend' with the instruments. 

Editor's Choice: 'Rotting King'

Clearly my favorite track on the album and, in my opinion, a track you'll be hooked on from the intro! This Rotting King you'll love from start to finish. With a strong synth sound, the track is a wonderful blend of rock and epicness! Among my favorite things is the fact that the piano and synth take on the solos and step into the spotlight. Let's enjoy it!

Morzan :
"You want to murder my wife
you want to enslave her soul
i want this tremendous power
fits me like a magic glove"

"I feel like i'm going crazy
and now i want it all
to dominate and rule Zantea
my name will live on evermore"

Credits

Story: Myrto Gregoriadi

Artwork: Hara Tsopanidou

Music and Lyrics: Antonis Adelfidis

Recordings, Audio Editing, Mixing: Antonis Adelfidis

Additional Recordings, Mastering: Dimitris Delis

Proofreading: Theofanis Loukas and Sotiris Adelfidis

Composition and production: Antonis Adelfidis

Vocals

Jim Koidakis – Storyteller

George Katsanos – Ovaris

Moss “The Boss” Kordakis – Vosar

Antonis Komninos – Morzan

Aggeliki Andritsou – Sirin

Dimitra Preari – Nantou

Stratos Kanimas – Ansel

Irini Tiniakou – Roziel

Instruments

George Katsanos – Acoustic Piano, Electric Pianos, Combo Organs, Digital and Analog Synthesizers, Vibradoneon, Theremin

Nikos Aravanis – Acoustic Piano

Antonis Adelfidis – Acoustic Piano, Electric Pianos, Hammond Organ, Combo Organs, Mellotron, Hohner Clavinet, Digital and Analog Synthesizers, Rheem Kee Bass

The Swede – Drums

Welcome to the world of Zantea!

As a listener, I'm a huge fan of concept works. Forbidden Myth have crafted an album that could serve not only as the soundtrack for a series like ‘Witcher’, but for a theatrical production of the same caliber. It gives you the feeling that the whole endeavor is part of a dark, epic rock opera. Listening to the heroes narrate their stories, I find myself part of the plot. Caught between two opposing spirits. Courtier to the fallen king. Accomplice to murder. Friend of the girl of prophecy…

And the fact that ‘Zantea Chronicles‘ comes with a digital booklet only amplifies the whole atmosphere of the album, offering a complete and thoroughly enjoyable experience. We're eagerly awaiting the arrival of the lyric video too. Until then, get ready to lose yourselves in the labyrinth of Forbidden Myth's music!