Greece’s Naxatras have already been included in a few of the Sound of Liberation-related Fall festivals throughout Europe for this October — Desertfest Belgium in Antwerp, Keep it Low in Munich, Up in Smoke in Pratteln, Switzerland — and had already unveiled their UK run to take place in September anchored by an appearance at Riffolution Festival in Sheffield, so to have them tie it together with club dates isn’t necessarily a surprise, though it’s welcome.

I’m not sure who’s supporting, if anybody — these are package-heavy days as the world somewhat hesitantly re-embraces live music culture, but sometimes bands do tour alone — but this might be considered a complement to Naxatras‘ Spring run, which was with Puta Volcano, and it finds them continuing to support their Feb. 2022 album, IV (review here), and the radical shift toward progressive rock songwriting it presented.

As to when they might place their native country, well, they just did throughout June and July, so there. No way that one of the forerunners of the Greek underground would leave out home base. Now if only we could trick them into coming to the US for a few shows, preferably with one of them in my back yard.

Until then, this:

NAXATRAS – AUTUMN TOUR 2022

Hello friends and fellow aliens, we are super hyped to announce that we’ll be touring Europe once more this autumn!

See ya all down the galactic highway.

Mind-blowing poster courtesy of CHRIS RW

Powered by Sound of Liberation

02.10.22 SWI Pratteln, Up in Smoke
03.10.22 ITA Bologna, Freak Out Club
04.10.22 AT Innsbruck, PMK
05.10.22 AT Salzburg, Rockhouse
07.10.22 DE Munich, Keep It Low
10.10.22 POL Warsaw, Hydrozagadka
11.10.22 DE Berlin, Zukunft
12.10.22 DE Wiesbaden, Schlachthof
14.10.22 DE Oldenburg, Cadillac
15.10.22 BEL Antwerpen, Desertfest
16.10.22 NL Utrecht, DB´s
+ more to be announced!

Tickets will be on sale very soon at: https://www.naxatras.gr/tour

UK TOUR 2022

Stocked to announce that we’ll be touring the United Kingdom this fall, also playing Scotland for the first time ever! Can’t wait to see ya, mates.

Tickets available at: https://echelontalent.agency/roster/naxatras/

14.9 Brighton, Green Door Store
15.9 Bristol, The Exchange
16.9 London, The Underworld
17.9 Sheffield, Riffolution Festival
18.9 Glasgow, Ivory Blacks

Naxatras are:
John Delias – Guitar, Vocals
John Vagenas – Bass, Vocals
Kostas Charizanis – Drums and Percussion
Pantelis Kargas – Keyboards and Synthesizers

http://www.naxatras.gr
http://www.facebook.com/naxatras
http://www.instagram.com/naxatras
http://naxatras.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6HN1s0JzLowapZ7nhOAJ71?si=w5UAkxrZQDujUwmi7tl8aA
https://www.youtube.com/naxatrasofficial

Naxatras, IV (2022)

At some point, there must have been a conversation. I don’t know Thessaloniki, Greece’s Naxatras personally — though they’ve always been very polite in my dealings with them, which counts for a lot in my book — but even if it was the most tentative, “Let’s try something different this time,” there’s no way that a record like IV follows a record like 2018’s III (review here) without a conscious acknowledgement of changing approach. Sure enough, as IV‘s reported storyline is, “A fantasy tale of bizarre landscapes and valiant quests. A saga of transformation,” this would seem to be at least a tacit recognition of the shift that’s taken place in Naxatras over the last few years — one is reminded of the old adage that any act of creation is ultimately telling the story of the creating itself, consciously or not.

And as Naxatras have evolved from the admirably organic, dedicated-to-improvisation jams of III, the prior 2017 single All the Stars Collide into a Single Ray (discussed here), 2016’s II (review here) and EP (discussed here), as well as their 2015 self-titled debut (discussed here), into the spirited and multifaceted progressive rock — classic and modern in kind — that has so clearly here been worked out from those same jams into the 10-song/51-minute entirety of IV, topped with Chris RW‘s likewise lush, fantasy-style cover art, the story in these songs is inevitably also their own. And indeed, it is one of change to such a degree that one can put on old and new Naxatras next to each other and not even realize it’s the same band.

This ambition on the part of the group — a four-piece here for the first time with the welcome addition of Pantelis Kargas on keys and synth alongside the returning trio of guitarist/vocalist John Delias, bassist/vocalist John Vagenas and drummer/percussionist Kostas Charizanis — is remarkable. And it’s not just about having keyboards or vocals for the first time. It extends to the very construction of the songs themselves, even instrumentals like the opener “Reflection (Birth)” later complemented by the more electrified “Reflection (Death & Rebirth)” and the swirling but plotted “Journey to Narahmon” — which has vocals, but no lyrics — and the fact that even the impressionistic, which is not to say vague, placement of the words in “Omega Madness” early on feels intentional.

The calm AOR-on-the-beach realization of “The Answer,” blatantly classic pop, and the accompanying three-minute psychedelic hints of “Ride with Time” are different from anything Naxatras have done before, and they manifest the patience of the band’s jammier past while pushing deeper to hone a present that sees the songs tie together in a full-album flow while serving their own purposes in atmosphere. The band have essentially taken tighter control of the aspects of their creativity they formerly seemed to take such delight in letting roam free while rolling tape to give their listeners as organic an experience as possible.

IV is inevitably defined by this departure. It can’t help but be. The dreamy Rhodes notes, percussion and mellow uptempo strum that emerges in “Radiant Stars” is hypnotic and comes coupled with the ultra-memorable “Horizon” — which is both among the most straightforward of the inclusions and the kind of song that might, if somehow conjured out of a ‘thin air’ jam, might drive a group to reevaluate their processes in the first place — as if to emphasize the point of Naxatras‘ ability to create the world in which this story takes place. Aided by the clear and full production of Nikos Logiotatidis at Magnanimous Recording Studio, who also helmed the admirable mix (Dave Collins mastered), Naxatras are able to present their turn as more than simply that; rather, it is a step forward from who they were and a bolder confrontation against what might be expected of them than more bands would be willing to make.

IV shares its willingness to be beautiful, to be unrestrained by considerations of needing to be weighted-down tonally, needing to be this or that, and needing to be anything other than what the band feels it needs to be, with what Naxatras have done before, but again, it’s the shape that takes that is distinguishing factor both from their past and from the bulk of progressive rock at large, heavy or otherwise. The long stretch of “The Battle of Crystal Fields,” which lays parts after each other in linear fashion and leaves the subsequent “Reflection (Death & Rebirth)” to tie that procession in with the rest of its surroundings — effectively, mind you; it works — feels every bit like the culmination it is because the band are wholly confident in their delivery. Like the best of anything, Naxatras get away with redefining themselves through IV simply by doing it and leaving no room for questions.

That said, Naxatras are of a profile as regards acts within European underground heavy and certainly among the top exports of Greece’s ever-admirable crop of bands that there will be those unable to follow them on this new path, if indeed that’s what IV represents over the longer term. Does that matter? Probably not to the band, who will see new heads at shows to replace those dropped out precisely as a result of these changes and the more accessible nature of their songwriting as it is here. They should, if they haven’t, find a venue in which to present IV in its entirety live with all the according instrumental shifts to carry them to the acoustic, semi-twanging roll of the epilogue closer “Shape of the Evening,” but however IV comes to stand in their catalog in the context of what they might do next, the fact remains that in listening, it feels like exactly what Naxatras want it to be.

And for a group of musicians to not only take that new path but to bring their intention to life with such an accomplishment of craft is a staggering achievement. It may be since Sweden’s Witchcraft modernized their once-vintage-style sound that a band has so readily charted a way forward from the trappings of microgenre, and whatever else IV does for Naxatras over the next few years — whatever their next conversation might lead to — their uncompromised vision has made them a less predictable unit with a scope beyond what was known from them before. That would be enough to call the record a triumph, even if the songs weren’t also so richly executed as they fortunately are.

Naxatras, IV (2022)

Naxatras store

Naxatras website

Naxatras on Facebook

Naxatras on Instagram

Naxatras on Bandcamp

Naxatras on Spotify

Naxatras on YouTube

Preorders go live today for Naxatras‘ new album, IV, ahead of its Feb. 25 release date. In accordance with that, there comes the first streaming single from the record, titled “Journey to Narahmon,” which throughout its space-rocking six minutes serves to highlight some — not all, but some — of the sonic shifts the formerly jam-based Greek outfit have undertaken in sound, building more traditionally structured songs out of those jam rather than offering up the jams themselves. It’s three months from yesterday until the record comes out, so I’m not going to go on and on about it — I’ll review in good time — but Naxatras are right to give their audience a chance to get on board with where they’re at as soon as possible, let alone reach new ears as they inevitably will throughout 2022.

The recently announced tour is conspicuously lacking in festival appearances, but don’t be surprised when those start showing up too throughout Summer and Fall, conditions permitting.

Here’s links, info, audio:

Pre-order “IV” at https://naxatras.shop
Pre-save “IV” on all digital platforms: https://orcd.co/naxatras_iv

Tour dates with Puta Volcano:
31.03. – Sofia (BG), “Mixtape 5”
01.04. – Novi Sad (RS), SKCNS Fabrika
02.04. – Budapest (HU), Akvárium Klub Official
03.04. – Zagreb (HR), Klub Močvara
05.04. – Vienna (AT), ((szene)) Wien
06.04. – Linz (AT), Stwst Stadtwerkstatt
08.04. – Munich (DE), Feierwerk
09.04. – Jena (DE), KuBa
13.04. – Stockholm (SE), Hus 7
15.04. – Copenhagen (DK), VEGA
17.04. – Hamburg (DE), Knust Hamburg
18.04. – Dresden (DE), Chemiefabrik Dresden (Chemo)
20.04. – Berlin (DE), Bi Nuu
21.04. – Dortmund (DE), JunkYard
23.04. – Rotterdam (NL), Podium Grounds
24.04. – Paris (FR), La Maroquinerie
26.04. – Marseille (FR), Le Molotov
27.04. – San Sebastian (ES), Dabadaba
28.04. – Madrid (ES), SALA CARACOL MADRID
29.04. – Barcelona (ES), Sala Upload Barcelona
30.04. – Porto (PT), Hard Club
+ more to be announced!

Tickets: will be on sale very soon via https://www.naxatras.gr/tour

Vocals by Evi Seitanidou

Artwork by Chris RW ( https://www.instagram.com/chris__rw/ )
Recorded and mixed by Nikos Logiotatidis at Magnanimous Recording Studio

Naxatras are:
John Delias – Guitar, Vocals
John Vagenas – Bass, Vocals
Kostas Charizanis – Drums and Percussion
Pantelis Kargas – Keyboards and Synthesizers

http://www.naxatras.gr
http://www.facebook.com/naxatras
http://www.instagram.com/naxatras
http://naxatras.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6HN1s0JzLowapZ7nhOAJ71?si=w5UAkxrZQDujUwmi7tl8aA
https://www.youtube.com/naxatrasofficial

Naxatras, “Journey to Narahmon”

Let the record show that the first thing I said about Naxatras‘ upcoming album, IV, was that the Greek now-four-piece were ‘going all in.’ The last thing I said about it was I expected copious tour dates to follow in good time. That was last week and, well, the proof is in the poster. Naxatras have never been particularly shy about hitting the road, but as they announce this long round of gigs alongside Puta Volcano, the band seem to be setting themselves up for a big response to the impending full-length, and I think they’re going to get it. More than anything, I’m curious if a US debut won’t be far behind. Psycho Las Vegas, maybe? That’d be just fine, thank you very much. Hell, they can bring Puta Volcano along for that too.

Sound of Liberation booked the run, and the band posted it as you see here, plus a few emojis:

Naxatras European Tour 2022

It feels so great to finally announce our next European Tour, it’s beyond words!

After more than two years since we played our last gig abroad, we can hardly describe how much we’ve missed you people.

Can’t wait to get back on stage and share moments of pure magic with all of you, see you on the road!

We are happy to share this experience with our friends Puta Volcano, who will be our special guests in every show of the tour!

Original artwork and design by CHRIS RW

Final layout by John Kontan

Thank you Sound of Liberation, for booking this.

31.03. – Sofia (BG), “Mixtape 5”
01.04. – Novi Sad (RS), SKCNS Fabrika
02.04. – Budapest (HU), Akvárium Klub Official
03.04. – Zagreb (HR), Klub Močvara
05.04. – Vienna (AT), ((szene)) Wien
06.04. – Linz (AT), Stwst Stadtwerkstatt
08.04. – Munich (DE), Feierwerk
09.04. – Jena (DE), KuBa
13.04. – Stockholm (SE), Hus 7
15.04. – Copenhagen (DK), VEGA
17.04. – Hamburg (DE), Knust Hamburg
18.04. – Dresden (DE), Chemiefabrik Dresden (Chemo)
20.04. – Berlin (DE), Bi Nuu
21.04. – Dortmund (DE), JunkYard
23.04. – Rotterdam (NL), Podium Grounds
24.04. – Paris (FR), La Maroquinerie
26.04. – Marseille (FR), Le Molotov
27.04. – San Sebastian (ES), Dabadaba
28.04. – Madrid (ES), SALA CARACOL MADRID
29.04. – Barcelona (ES), Sala Upload Barcelona
30.04. – Porto (PT), Hard Club
+ more to be announced!

Tickets: will be on sale very soon via https://www.naxatras.gr/tour

New single “Journey to Narahmon” drops November 26th already!

Pre-save “Journey to Narahmon” on all digital platforms: https://orcd.co/naxatras_journeytonarahmon

Naxatras are:
John Delias – Guitar, Vocals
John Vagenas – Bass, Vocals
Kostas Charizanis – Drums and Percussion
Pantelis Kargas – Keyboards and Synthesizers

http://www.naxatras.gr
http://www.facebook.com/naxatras
http://www.instagram.com/naxatras
http://naxatras.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6HN1s0JzLowapZ7nhOAJ71?si=w5UAkxrZQDujUwmi7tl8aA
https://www.youtube.com/naxatrasofficial

Naxatras are going all in. After nearly five years on the road and one-plus very much not, the Greek heavy psychedelic rock four-piece are set to release IV on Feb. 25, 2022. Immediately, the former-instrumentalists’ work earns a place among the most anticipated offerings of next year. After actually hearing the thing in question, it sounds like the band are positioning themselves to stand as one of Europe’s foremost acts in psychedelia and prog.

Longtime fans are going to be surprised at how song-oriented it is, but at least after my initial time through, IV also comes across as maintaining the exploratory roots of the band, both in its more seemingly-off-the-cuff moments and in its overarching ethic of trying something new. Some of those who’ve followed Naxatras are going to have trouble making the leap. It is a surprise to hear John Delias singing a verse on “The Answer,” or even to hear the instrumental space rock in the teaser at the bottom of this post, but with a full-time keyboardist/synthesist now in the group, change is afoot all the way around, and the impression I get from how well they actually pull off their significant ambitions is there are going to be more who come aboard that jump ship. Naxatras are moving forward, boldly.

The PR wire has the initial album details. One expects copious tour dates to follow in good time.

For now:

Greek prog-psych quartet Naxatras announce new album, IV

To be released 25th February Pre-save the first single, ‘Journey to Narahmon’, now

It’s been almost a decade now since Naxatras first set out from the Greek north to carve out the path fate had set for them.

Since 2012, the group have been honing the rough edges of psychedelic rock, combining heavy riffs, heady soundscapes, astral melodies and a deep appreciation for groove.

Naxatras now return, with their long-awaited and highly-anticipated new LP, IV, to be released 25th February. The band have today revealed the tracklisting and awe-inspiring cover art, and given notice that the first single from the record, ‘Journey to Narahmon’ will be released 26th November.

Pre-save here: https://orcd.co/naxatras_journeytonarahmon

IV is – fittingly – the first new music to showcase Naxatras as a quartet. It is a significant departure for the group, already celebrated across Europe for their jamming-based approach to psychedelia. The focus with IV is now more directly on songwriting, musicianship and composition – drawing magic from early 70s prog rock and master songwriters of esoterica.

The new album has gaps that only a keyboard can fill, so Naxatras welcome a new member to the clan: Pantelis Kargas. The whole operation of the band has changed – the previously trademark analogue sound has shifted to a more surgically precise approach, the orchestration multileveled and powerful.

IV is the band at their creative peak, with all their experience put to use, and you can hear the first glimpse of the record on 26th November with the exquisite ‘Journey to Narahmon’. An expansive, mesmerising six-minute journey, with nods to Pink Floyd, Elder, Steven Wilson, the new track’s wordless vocalisations demonstrate the power of Naxatras at its fullest.

Naxatras’ musical imprint began in 2015, with their first album I. Recorded in a single day, the record was a best-selling underground sensation and welcomed with critical acclaim.

Shortly after the band went on their first tour, with live shows in Greece and five neighbouring Balkan countries. The second album – II – followed in 2016, with the same attitude in live performance, live recording, and fully analogue mentality.

However the road proved to be the band’s calling – summer 2016 led to Naxatras’ first full European tour, sowing the seeds of high anticipation.

An established act with the release of III, 40 more European dates followed, with a firm fanbase in every city on the continent. The album release show in Athens was to more than 1,000 devotees, a sold-out spectacle, and the subsequent tours included performances at Desertfest, Rock Im Waid, Dunajam, and a series of appearances in Australia.

Artwork by CHRIS RW: https://www.instagram.com/chris__rw/

TRACKLISTING:
1: Reflection (Birth)
2: Omega Madness
3: Journey To Narahmon
4: The Answer
5: Ride With Time
6: Radiant Stars
7: Horizon
8: The Battle of Crystal Fields
9: Reflection (Death & Rebirth)
10: Shape of the Evening

Naxatras are:
John Delias – Guitar, Vocals
John Vagenas – Bass, Vocals
Kostas Charizanis – Drums and Percussion
Pantelis Kargas – Keyboards and Synthesizers

http://www.naxatras.gr
http://www.facebook.com/naxatras
http://www.instagram.com/naxatras
http://naxatras.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6HN1s0JzLowapZ7nhOAJ71?si=w5UAkxrZQDujUwmi7tl8aA
https://www.youtube.com/naxatrasofficial