Beautifully crafted, atmospheric, symphonic rock.

11 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Progressive Rock, ROCK: Acoustic



Details:
Evelyn Downing: lead and harmony vocals, flute
Jamie Field: acoustic guitars and occasional electric guitar & backing vocals
Andrew Garman: keyboards, bass, drums, percussion
Nigel Hooton: lead and rhythm electric and acoustic guitars.

with:
Kate Belcher: lead & harmony vocals on âNowhere To Hideâ, âSiren Songâ and âShadow Girlâ.
Wendy Marks: cor anglais, oboe, recorders

Features guest appearances from Troy Donockley (Iona) and Jonathan Edwards (Panic Room & ex-Karnataka)

âTo describe this album as astonishing would be an understatement⦠there are bands that toil for many a year before producing a masterpiece of this quality⦠it is absolutely stunning!â
Paul Jerome Smith, Fireworks magazine, June 2007

"Etarlis' is prog - or more precisely - elemental rock on an epic scale." David Randall, Get Ready To Rock *****

Etarlis is an ambitious and complex work described by the band as a series of musical illustrations of the fantasy story of the same name, written by Jamie and Evelyn over recent years. The music features vocals from founder member Evelyn Downing as well as Kate Belcher, first heard on the bandâs previous release, the ep Salt on Skin.

The albumâs 11 tracks, written and arranged by Jamie Field and Andrew Garman, range from progressive pieces, full of melodies, counter-melodies, sweeping strings and orchestral sounds, to simple piano based arrangements. An added edge is supplied by lead guitarist Nigel Hooton and a range of woodwind instruments played by Wendy Marks. Guest performances from Troy Donockley (Iona) and Jonathan Edwards (Panic Room & ex-Karnataka) also feature in this hour long journey through a mesmerising landscape.

The story follows the experiences of two friends as they stumble into an alternative world. Etarlis, the country they find themselves in, is caught in conflict and threatened by invaders and is a place beyond reason and science. The girls meet many people on their journey some of whom appear on the album and on the website www.etarlis.co.uk, launched to coincide with the albumâs release. Fans of Mermaid Kiss will have noticed the appearance of the protagonists, Anna and Gerri, among the bandâs MySpace friends in recent months at www.myspace.com/mermaidkissuk.


Formed in 2000, Mermaid Kiss first appeared on the music scene in 2003 with their debut, The Mermaid Kiss Album. Following Evelynâs move to university the band began working with additional vocalists, releasing Salt on Skin in 2006. The bandâs collaborative approach to writing and recording creates a diverse palette of sounds and styles which defy classification, but which have been described as:

"Haunting, sexy and compelling... One of THE releases of this or any other year." (Michael Sullivan, The Here & There)

"To say this is an emotionally charged album replete with gorgeous melodies, stunning vocal work and beautifully conceived ideas, would be an understatement." (Greg Cummins, Sea Of Tranquility)

"Outstanding... an album of incredible depth and strength." (Russ Elliot, Musical Discoveries)


To find out more about Etarlis, the album and the story visit www.etarlis.co.uk.
Further details about Mermaid Kiss can be found at www.mermaidkiss.co.uk.