Oaksenham

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Oaksenham found in 2001 Oaksenham’s core consists of experienced musicians that played in a range of influential Armenian rock bands: Vahagn Papayan (a.k.a. Dumbarton Oaks) and Ashot Korganyan from the same progressive band very popular in 90s in Armenia (a.k.a. Strangers, Bambir 2). Professionally educated musicians, nearly all of them are graduates of the Yerevan State Conservatory; they soon proved their serious intentions upon giving a very good concert in June 2002. In addition to the electrical program the band also boasts an acoustic one, part of which was presented to public on March 18 2004 at the opening of the British Posters Exhibition organized by British Council Yerevan. For this time it was their “Beatles Fantasy” performed with a woodwind ensemble that met a very warm response from public and media. The Oaksenham were highly claimed in the leading European and North American prog journals for their debut live CD “Woden’s Eve” self-released in 2004, among them Classic Rock Society (UK), Expose (USA), Prog-Resiste (Belgium), Strutter-zine (Netherlands). There are articles dedicated to the band in the Gibraltar Encyclopedia of Progressive Rock, GEPR (USA). In summer 2006 the band finished mixing and mastering of their first studio album “Conquest of the Pacific” and already received enthusiastic comments for sent-out promo-version of the album. The band is seeking now for a respected license deal to have its distribution channel to the western world.

[edit] Excerpts from Reviews

"Oaksenham have potential to please a prog-rock audience, especially those with a more eccentric outlook." Martin Hudson CRS, UK (2004)

"A solid continuation of the classic prog style." Peter Thelen, Expose, USA (2004)

"The music of Oaksenham is all well orchestrated and expertly performed instrumental arrangements." Fred Trafton, GEPR, USA (2004)

“People looking for a real quality instrumental Prog-rock album need to check out this release”, Strutter-zine, Netherlands (2004)

Line-up: Vahagn Papayan – bass, Anna Adamyan – keyboards, Valeri Tolstov – flute, keyboards, Vardan Gasparyan – guitars, Koriun Bobikyan – violin, percussion, Ashot Korganyan – drums.