Ω (Omega)

“…an incredibly melodic album, it leaves me with no qualms what-so-ever in labelling Omega, by Spyros Pan, as HandPan music at its most relaxing, and introspective best!…”

(HandPans Magazine, April 2012. Read the full review here.)

Recorded at: Unreal Studioz, Athens, Greece
Mastered at: Sweespot Studios, Athens, Greece
Editing: Alex Ketenjian & Spyros Pan
Cover Photography: Spyros Pan
Release Date: June 2010

All songs are composed and performed live in studio by Spyros Pan.
Danae Nielsen plays theremin on tracks 4 & 6.
Johanne Staiquily chants on track 7.
Track 9 is the recording of rainfall on a Halo.

A few (and some more) release notes.

Looking back at the period when the recordings of Omega took place, the first thing that comes in mind is the element of water. It rained heavily during each day of the recording, editing and mastering sessions. Going with the flow, Omega has indeed a very watery feeling. Sounds of waves, gentle water splashes, foot-steps on sandy beaches that blend naturally within the sonic spectrum of the handpan. The journey starts at dawn on a beach in the uncommon little island Agios Efstratios and then it progresses into urban metropolis landscapes with field recordings of ambient environments in London and Tokyo.

Reversed recorded sounds, hunting reverbs and other tricks where employed to either fill the corners at the background or come on the first role in the foreground. “Polyphemus Cave” is for me one of the most intense atmospheric tracks I have ever created. I invite you to listen to it either through a good-quality stereo system or with your ear-phones on during the darkest hours of the night and you will get the idea. Keep your lights out and enjoy the ride.

Taking things a step further, there is a sound dedicated to “Hyades” the nymphs of rain. For this track we have positioned a microphone inside the vessel of a Halo left out in the rain. The rain drops created a gentle frequency that no human hand can create.

To conclude Omega features far more polished dexterous grooves, employing four handpans and a studio locked out to the needs of the project. The result is an album that when I listen to it – even almost six years after – I can smile and modestly acknowledge that I am satisfied with how it came out, even if currently I have outgrown myself in my playing.

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