| Empyray | |
|---|---|
 Էմփիռեյ | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Yerevan, Armenia |
| Genres | heavy rock, hard rock, oriental rock |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels | Empyray |
| Members | Sargis Manukyan Karen Arzoumanyan Gisaneh Palyan David Khurshudyan Koryun Bobikyan |
Empyray (Armenian: Էմփիռեյ) is an Armenian rock group, working in heavy rock, hard rock genres. Their works are characterized by imposing vocal, surprising melody transitions, thoughtful lyrics in Armenian and English languages, and complete, harmonic musical forms.
History
The group was formed in 1993 on the initiative of Sargis Manoukyan and Karen Arzumanyan. There have been about 50 concerts since then, but they got wide recognition only in 2005. In 2006 Empyray recorded its debut CD album with 13 tracks in the group's own studio, gave its first solo concert and won Armenian National Music Awards in category "Best Rock Band".
Title etymology
"Empyray" is the English transliteration of эмпирей - the Slavonic version of Greek empuros (Latin, empyreus, English empyrean), the highest part of the (supposedly spherical) heavens, thought in ancient times to contain the pure element of fire and by early Christians to be the abode of God and the angels
Band members
- Sargis Manoukyan - vocalist, band's manager, graduated from university as an economist, has got 2-year training in vocal under the guidance of Yerevan State Conservatory professor Sergey Danielyan
- Karen Arzoumanyan - guitarist, composer, graduated from university as a medical doctor, has got secondary musical education, is the husband of Gisaneh Palyan
- Gisaneh Palyan - keyboardist, author of lyrics, graduated from Yerevan State Conservatory as a pianist, is the wife of Karen Arzoumanyan
- David Khurshudyan - bass guitarist
- Koryun Bobikyan - drummer
Discography
Albums
- 2007 - Sev u Spitak (Սև ու սպիտակ)
- 2009 - Hure (Հուր է)
- 2011 - Mekendmisht (Մեկընդմիշտ)
DVD
- 2008 - Evolution
References
- "Zhamanak.com | Մշակույթ | "EMPYRAY" -ը նախընտրական շոուին չմասնակցեց". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - empyrean. CollinsDictionary.com. "Collins English Dictionary" - Complete & Unabridged 11th Edition. Retrieved December 07, 2012.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2009-10-21.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - Empyray-ը նոր ձայնասկավառակ է թողարկել - News.am