Armenian rock
Armenian Rock | |
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Stylistic origins | Russian rock |
Armenian rock describes a wide variety of forms of rock music made in Armenia or by artists of Armenian descent.
Among the most recognized groups of Soviet era were Arthur Meschian's "Arakyalner", "1+2", "Kaleidoscope", and "Bliki". Following the loosening of state control in the early 1980s, a number of Armenian rock bands gained followers in Western Europe, such as Asparez and Ayas. Asparez was the only Armenian rock act to release an LP on the iconic Soviet label Melodiya. The bands Tarerk, Tessilk, 36.6 and Maximum had strong followings at home.
History
Soviet Era
Rock was greatly restricted for most of the period Armenia was under
By the eighties, combining Armenian folk music with rock, the Armenian folk-rock groups were founded with notable, and popular even in 2000's, representatives -
As the Soviet rock scene grew larger in the late 1980s, bands like Asparez and Ayas attracted international audiences due to the new popularity of
Post-Soviet Era
In the early 1990s, an Armenian
A notable example is Deti Picaso a Russia-based folk prog-band consisted of mostly Armenians was noticed and appreciated in Armenia[citation needed] and revived interest towards folk music.
In the same early 1990s the Armenian rock bands got to have a fanzine - Mark's Gazette, self-published by Arman Padaryan (aka Mark) for the next 10 years.[citation needed]
Expatriate Armenian rock
Expatriate Armenian rock musicians in the US during the 1990s were few, with fewer venues for them to perform. Tigran Mousoian, president of The Armenian Musicians & Artists Center, had organized two festivals in Yerevan, and then planned Armenian Rock Festival in Glendale, California.
Audience in Armenia
The audience in Armenia remains exceedingly small for local rock groups,[according to whom?] playing in local clubs in Yerevan and Gyumri. Although "SARD", "Bambir 2", "Vordan Karmir", "Reincarnation" and speed-metal band Aramazd started to receive media attention, especially after their videos were televised nationally. "Roxygeen" was heading the scene of cover-bands, while STRYFE and Sworn are prog-metal bands. The revived MDP and Oaksenham in addition to Bambir 2, Blood Covenant, STRYFE, Sworn and Empyray led the vanguard of quality made native rock in the new millennium. Arthur Meschian had sold-out concerts in Yerevan Opera Theatre and Complex Sports and Concerts Complex. Also the most popular
Music awards
Since 2004 International Armenian Music Award
Unfortunately both awards has not gained authority, and are often boycotted by more intransigent Armenian rock musicians.[citation needed]
Rock festivals
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, festivals organized by the ACCEA (Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art) signaled a rebirth of the Armenian rock music scene, with many new bands and musicians coming from the heartland region of Vanadzor. Among the most popular bands at that time there were "Vostan Hayots", "Angels", and punk rockers "Ass Kissers". There was a splash of interest in very heavy acts such as "Beerdigungs Läuten" playing quality grindcore metal.
In September 2007 Rock4Peace festival concerts organized with participation of Germans from Kultur Aktiv e.V. and Vibrographus were held in Yerevan, Gyumri and Stepanakert. The reunion of Ayas took place after the meeting of the band's core musicians in Moscow, whilst Vostan Hayots continued irregularly appear with club concerts in Yerevan. Armenian rock started to live another wave of revival and yet local rock music does not have an industrial sense, though Armenian rock musicians started to participate in the commercially and politically biased projects such as two "Rock-and-Dram" festivals were held, on April 13 and November 23, 2007.
Tigran Mousoian, president of The Armenian Musicians & Artists Center, organized two festivals in Yerevan, and planned Armenian Rock Festival in Glendale, California.
Concerts by outside groups
A range of top-class concerts featuring legendary rock groups has been organized in Armenia by Vibrgraphus in 2009 and 2010 including visits of Jethro Tull, Uriah Heep, John McLaughlin and Deep Purple.
Other activity
Harutyun Ayvazyan (Artyom) was the first Armenian journalist, who published a rock encyclopedia in St. Petersburg in Russian language at Avgust Publishing House. The rock group Vara features an Armenian lead singer.
References
- ^ "Oaksenham". Archived from the original on 2007-06-07. Retrieved 2020-06-20.
- ^ Musea
- ^ Allmusic.com
- ^ "Breeze rainy day in santiago mp3 - YouTube". YouTube.
- ^ Ambehr
- ^ Official Gor Mkhitarian Web Site. Armenian Singer/Songwriter. Armenian Music. Home.
- ^ armenpress.am: The Beautified Project
- ^ Armenian Music Award Archived April 2, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Midan
- ^ "National Music Awards". Archived from the original on 2010-03-30. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
- ^ Armenian Television 1st Channel