Aethellis

Artist Information

Biography

The Aethellis album was spearheaded and recorded in 2002/2003 by classically trained keyboardist/vocalist/hack guitarist/Narcissist Ellsworth Hall and has many influences including rock, classical, synth pop, funk, jazz and even hip-hop. This eclecticism results in songs that are very strong and catchy but still adventurous. The pronounced rhythmic aspects give the music a synth-pop punch.

Album tracks, other originals and classic rock/progressive rock, funk and jazz covers are performed live with several cohorts from previous bands including Mark Van Natta and Erik Marks.

Instrumentation

Mark Van Natta - Guitar &Vocals
Erik C. Marks - Bass & Vocals
Ellsworth Hall - Keys & Vocals
Chris Marks - Guitar & Vocals
Mike Harrington - Drums

Discography

Aethellis (CD 2003). Tracks that have had airplay include "Djibouti," "Hubris," and "Saint Augustus."

The new album Northumbria (CD 2010) will feature such tracks as "Northumbria," (the instrumental section excerpt available here) and "Exchequer Prague."

Official Website

http://www.aethellis.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Northumbria (excerpt)
  Listen  
• Sounds Good
  Listen  
• Saint Augustus (extended radio edit)
  Listen  
• Hubris (radio edit)
  Listen  
• Exchequer Prague (groove mix)
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Saint Augustus
• Hubris

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Aethellis CD review - DLCP [+ Show ]
  

  The result of this debut was one magnificent work of symphonic rock that transmits an optimism beyon...The result of this debut was one magnificent work of symphonic rock that transmits an optimism beyond the common.....Very recommended and essential in your progressive library.

• Aethellis CD review by Josh Turner [+ Show ]
  

  The album is the rare stone overturned that reveals a bounty of new revelations. The album is quite ...The album is the rare stone overturned that reveals a bounty of new revelations. The album is quite enjoyable and quite an achievement for a sole musician. This album really deserves some attention.

• Aethellis CD review by Federico Marongiu [+ Show ]
  

  Aethellis surprised me with the music in this recording. Ellsworth Hall is the brain behind Aethelli...Aethellis surprised me with the music in this recording. Ellsworth Hall is the brain behind Aethellis and his trademark sound are the keyboards that start from the first second of the recording to create interesting melodies. And this melodies are sometimes more easy listening, sometimes more twisted but they always have an interesting progressive sound which I liked a lot. Ellsworth´s vocals are soft and melodic giving some of the compositions a hit format with memorable choruses. Most of the compositions here are long and I think that Aethellis develops carefully the music in such extension where he has place for developing all the ideas that the music here has. There is a seventies feeling here but with a much more modern sound that makes the music sound updated. This is pure melody full of interesting ideas.

• Aethellis CD review - Strutter [+ Show ]
  

  Progressive Rock from the USA , with 6 long tracks included on their independent CD. Without a doubt...Progressive Rock from the USA , with 6 long tracks included on their independent CD. Without a doubt, it has a strong 80s Symphonic AOR touch, kinda like ASIA and KAYAK, just listen to the wonderful “Saint Augustus”. I think some songs might even be called early 80s keyboard orientated Pomprock! Nevertheless, people will call AETHELLIS a Progressive Rockband and their independent CD does sound remarkably good. The songs are very strong, catchy and still adventurous enough to keep you interested from start to finish. Like I said, it does remind me a lot of ASIA, 3, LIGHTSPEED, ROBRT BERRY , GTR... Even vocally it sounds quite good (kinda like JEFF CANNATA of ARC ANGEL).

• Aethellis CD review - ZNR [+ Show ]
  

  This is one of those albums that I was tempted to dismiss on first listening as being too 'pop' or t...This is one of those albums that I was tempted to dismiss on first listening as being too 'pop' or too 'superficial' to be taken seriously. After 2 or 3 listenings the layers started to emerge and the true beauty of the music started to become obvious!
  
  

• Aethellis CD review by Marc Roy [+ Show ]
  

  Even if there is an Aethellis touring band, on the CD all the music and singing comes from one man :...Even if there is an Aethellis touring band, on the CD all the music and singing comes from one man : Ellsworth R. Hall. He plays all instruments but his main focus is on the keyboards.
  
  Listening to Aethellis brings me back about twenty years. Even though at times, some twists and turns make it obvious that this album is from the new millenium, there is always, in my opinion, a strong early 80's feel about this music.
  
  In the letter sent to me with this promotional CD, Ellsworth Hall describes his music as Neo. I don't really agree because I do not hear much Marillion - IQ - Arena... in there, these bands being usually associated with the Neo sub genre of Progressive Rock.
  
  The main influence I detect is Tony Banks, mainly his more progressive pieces from his solo albums. Hall's playing reminds me much more of Banks than of Wakeman or Emerson for example. Most of the songs on Aethellis would fit well on a Banks album, consisting mainly of a song based part followed by an instrumental section featuring a lot of keyboard soloing. A few exceptions, the beginning of Saint Augustus has a stong UK feel and Djibouti is an instrumental that somewhat reminds me of In that Quiet Earth from Genesis' Wind & Wuthering.
  
  As a singer Ellsworth Hall sounds a bit like Steve Hackett (another Genesis reference). His voice is not very powerful but it is nice and he does not push it over it's limit.
  
  I have truly enjoyed listening to this album and will put it again in my player. Hopefully Aethellis will find it's audience even though 80's inspired prog is not really the flavor of the day. There are sound samples on their website and the band plans on doing some touring in the east coast U.S. in early 2004. Check them out.
  

• Aethellis CD review - TMP [+ Show ]
  

  I think most of our customers agree with that most “one man bands” tend to be a bit boring. Well, Ae...I think most of our customers agree with that most “one man bands” tend to be a bit boring. Well, Aethellis is a one man band, but not at all boring. Logos Affinity keyboardist Ellsworth Hall plays keyboards, guitar and sings. The drums are of course programmed, but in a very tasteful way, and could just as well been the real thing. The music lies somewhere between Alan Parsons Project and Camel. Well crafted songs and Mr. Hall has also put a lot of effort into the production and arrangements.

• Radio Metal - Aethellis is a mix of all the best things available in the prog world [+ Show ]
  

  You like progressive music with influences from cult bands such as Genesis, Yes and others? Then Aet...You like progressive music with influences from cult bands such as Genesis, Yes and others? Then Aethellis is for you! Aethellis is a mix of all the best things available in the prog world.

• Aethellis CD review - Kinesis CD [+ Show ]
  

  This sounds like the album Tony Banks should have made after A Curious Feeling. In fact a lot of thi...This sounds like the album Tony Banks should have made after A Curious Feeling. In fact a lot of this would fit well on Genesis’ 1980s albums as proggier pieces. The Aethellis album is keyboard-dominated (though there is electric guitar), and there is some Banksian playing and chord progressions, but like Banks’ albums, the emphasis is more on songwriting. And Hall is a quality singer. Whereas Banks headed off in a pure pop direction, Aethellis maintains a good balance between pop songwriting and progressive rock. All but one track exceeds seven minutes, and the nearly 12-minute Final Affinity is darker and requires no qualifiers; it’s just prog rock. Oh, and the chorus of Saint Augustus is a mind worm.

Setlist

A typical set list includes tracks from the Aethellis album; Aethellis: Northumbria; and music from the album Affini Logue by the band's antecedant group, Logos Affinity.

Basic Requirements

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