With so much music available, it's hard to keep track and to make a choice. But sometimes, chance works simply being intrigued by an eye-catching album cover. That happened to me with Songs of Orpheus by Telesterion, released a few months ago. This title, like the band's name (note that there's also an American band, but
not active anymore), clearly refers to ancient Greece. And it turns out to be the ideal album for those who appreciate rock/metal mixes with a distinctly occult dimension. The
music is intense, with a very dense orchestration, but with vocals -or rather, a chorus of voices- that remain clear (and have a sacred quality).
Increasingly captivated by their work (almost spellbound), I tried to learn more about this musical project... in vain. I wasn't able to find any information about who was behind these invocations,
which seemed to come from nowhere. Fortunately, I finally got in touch with one of the "priests of Demeter" who agreed to answer a few questions... without, however, revealing any
more of the mystery.
Thank you for this interview. First of all, how would you describe your band and your music?
Thank you for your interest in Telesterion, and that’s a great opening question. I would describe the band and music as exploring a modern take on the rituals of the ancients.
Where did your fascination with ancient Greece come from, to the point of making it the backbone of your band? Do you have roots in Greece, or did you study this period?
I’ve been interested in ancient cultures my entire life, and Greece has always been the forefront of that. Having been there several times, the fascination continues to grow so I looked for some less known topics to study and write about. Bands with a clear theme have always been intriguing, so this idea of Telesterion was born from all that.
I personally find a lot of enjoyment in continuing to learn, and this band also gives the opportunity to share that experience with others in an artistic way that’s hopefully easier to digest than digging into research.
You're described as playing post-metal, doom or even stoner, but I find that not quite accurate. Do you agree with occult prog?
I’ve not heard the term occult prog before, but I like that. And I think you’ll hear it even more so on the next album.
Was your intention to create music representing this period and then add electrical instruments, or to compose amplified music with an original touch?
Both. We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel with anything crazy, but we want to at least attempt to create something a little unique. The style of music fits the content very well.
Besides EPs (collected under the title Aporrheta), you released two albums: Epopteia in late 2023, and more recently Songs of Orpheus. Can you tell us about their themes, and what you wanted to express through them?
Basically, the first phase was intended to just cover the Eleusinian Mysteries and see if it connected with people. Initially there weren’t any plans to do more than the first EP (An Ear of Grain in Silence reaped), but the response was great so we’ve had a good time exploring this space we’ve found ourselves in.
Epopteia concluded what you could say was Act 1: The Eleusinian Mysteries. Everything before then all led up to that album. Songs of Orpheus was an opportunity to explore another ancient mystery cult, that of Orphism. The next album will be another.
What traditional instruments have you incorporated into your music? Did you bring in other musicians for this, or do you play them yourself?
It’s all regular instruments performed by the band: guitars, bass, drums and keyboard. Any sounds that appear to be something else are simply just one of these or the vocals.
For example, I know bands that use folk instruments like Villagers of Ioannina City in Greece, but you sound your own way. Do you feel close to a particular musical style?
We have some influences with the sound that somebody likely wouldn’t expect, but we don’t really like to view anything as being off the table if we can incorporate it properly.
You hide your identities by using pseudonyms. What's the reason, and what can you tell us about yourselves despite this?
The pseudonyms are a fun way to immerse in the theme more and let the listeners just enjoy the music and concepts we’re presenting. Nameless and faceless members let the music itself be the focus.
May I at least ask if this is your main band or a side project? Also is there one person who composes more than the others?
Telesterion is in fact a side project. One person (myself) does the song writing.
The band has been very productive since 2022. I imagine you dedicate a lot of time to it?
Off and on. Everything through Epopteia was written and recorded in about 5 months in 2022, and then we stepped away for a bit. Songs of Orpheus sat there near completion for a while, but there were a lot of other things going on that distracted from finishing it.
So Telesterion sort of fills in gaps between other things musically. What really drives it forward is the added element of learning more about the past and sharing it with people. The music itself is one part, but there is an educational aspect as well.
However, I couldn't find any concerts you would have played. Do you plan to do any someday? If so, I imagine it would require a specific approach.
We haven’t played live. Maybe one day, but the presentation would have to be a certain way and we’d probably need to add more members to give it the full sound it would need. There are three to eight vocals going at all times, and that would be the challenging part... but also fun. If the right scenario presented itself, we would absolutely consider it.
Finally, do you plan to continue in the same direction, or are you tempted to explore other things?
Yes, and yes. The next album has five songs almost finished, and the sound is the same yet also different for the topic being covered. It’s a strange thing because the sound is consistent across our work, but also the careful listener will notice some subtle changes over time. Those changes weren’t intentional, it’s like the band and sound morphed on its own with each story being told, sort of taking a life of its own. We did a little side quest with Thesmophoria, and we may explore more like that in the future.
Thanks again, I'll leave the final word to you.
Thank you for your interest and support. If people continue to enjoy what we’re doing, then we’ll continue to do it.
