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Raw Silk burst onto the Greek and European AOR scene in the 90s with the legendary debut album Silk Under the Skin. The 2004 re-release of the album on CD brought the band back to the forefront and led to high profile reunion concerts supporting Pink Cream 69, Jeff Scott Sotto and Winger. After a second long hiatus and led by composer-drummer and Raw Silk founder Kostas Kyriakidis the band has regrouped in the UK with a brand new lineup and in April 2017 released the elusive and long-awaited follow-up to their revered debut Silk Under the Skin.
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The new album, entitled The Borders of Light, is a modern take on the classic metal sound of the late 80s featuring 10 brand new tracks with a total running time of over 60 minutes. Seamlessly bridging past and present, The Borders of Light delivers strong melodies combined with signature keyboard lines and heavy riffs. Superbly recorded and produced at Vault Studios in the rock heartlands of the Black Country.
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Chris Dando
Vocals, keyboards
Powerful vocalist and producer on The Borders of Light with proven skills of (almost) limitless patience and diversity - tested to the limit in responding to the perfectionist demands of the guy in overall charge of the project. Quoted as saying he won't be able to listen to Chimera again for at least a year without screaming due to the attention to detail he expended on it. Listen out for his 1st ever attempt at greek on the last verse of epic The Borders of Light track. Co-owner with Ben Fitzharris of Vault Studios, Kingswinford and lead singer with Grace the Skies.
Kostas Kyriakidis
Drums, keyboards
Founder and songwriter of Raw Silk - basically let's just say the all round manic driving force behind the band. “The recording of The Borders of Light has been an amazing experience and is by far the best thing I’ve worked on to date. I owed it to myself and especially the Raw Silk fans. The new line up kicks ass and has taken the material to a whole new level". Original drummer of Spitfire and creator of Nostalgia for a Belief are among his other notable credits. Bafta award winning film and classical composer.
Ash JD Baker
Lead Guitar, backing vox
James Barratt
Acoustic guitars
James Barratt, the guy who brings soaring lyricism to the acoustic guitar on the album, a real master of his craft. Tracked and hunted down online before being lured into the project. Highly regarded and sought after session guitarist who has recorded and performed with many artists and producers including Chris D’Adda (Stereophonics, Blondie etc), Nikki Shannon (Ronnie Dunn), Bridget Barkan (Scissor Sisters), Chris Budd and many more.
Stephanie Fowler
Vocals
Willing co-conspirator to the band's resurrection. Guilty of the closing cries on Chimera and other vocal crimes adding a hint of girly element to the otherwise all male lineup and testosterone fuelled melodic rock arena."I'm loving the opportunity to be a part of this amazing journey. I feel so privileged to witness its all coming back together again and am proud to have been able to participate in the making of such an awesome album"
Ash JD Baker
Lead Guitar, backing vox
Chris Dando
Vocals, keyboards
Powerful vocalist and producer on The Borders of Light with proven skills of (almost) limitless patience and diversity - tested to the limit in responding to the perfectionist demands of the guy in overall charge of the project. Quoted as saying he won't be able to listen to Chimera again for at least a year without screaming due to the attention to detail he expended on it. Listen out for his 1st ever attempt at greek on the last verse of epic The Borders of Light track. Co-owner with Ben Fitzharris of Vault Studios, Kingswinford and lead singer with Grace the Skies.
Kostas Kyriakidis
Drums, keyboards
Founder and songwriter of Raw Silk - basically let's just say the all round manic driving force behind the band. “The recording of The Borders of Light has been an amazing experience and is by far the best thing I’ve worked on to date. I owed it to myself and especially the Raw Silk fans. The new line up kicks ass and has taken the material to a whole new level". Original drummer of Spitfire and creator of Nostalgia for a Belief are among his other notable credits. Bafta award winning film and classical composer.
Ash JD Baker
Lead Guitar, backing vox
Benjamin Fitzharris
Bass Guitar
James Barratt
Lead guitar
James Barratt, the guy who brings soaring lyricism to the acoustic guitar on the album, a real master of his craft. Tracked and hunted down online before being lured into the project. Highly regarded and sought after session guitarist who has recorded and performed with many artists and producers including Chris D’Adda (Stereophonics, Blondie etc), Nikki Shannon (Ronnie Dunn), Bridget Barkan (Scissor Sisters), Chris Budd and many more.
Stephanie Fowler
Vocals
Willing co-conspirator to the band's resurrection. Guilty of the closing cries on Chimera and other vocal crimes adding a hint of girly element to the otherwise all male lineup and testosterone fuelled melodic rock arena."I'm loving the opportunity to be a part of this amazing journey. I feel so privileged to witness its all coming back together again and am proud to have been able to participate in the making of such an awesome album"
Past Members
Daryl Gardner
Rhythm guitar
Probably the most chilled member, Daryl's seemingly effortless handling of guitars made light and swift work of his time in the recording session. The only one of us to understand - or at any rate to admit to it - the Tyra Banks term 'smizing' might go some way to explain why he also turned out to be the most photogenic on the photoshoot. Daryl is also a film maker, avid Wolves supporter and member of Grace the Skies.
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James Marshall Stanley
Lead guitar
James has always been a passionate musician with a real feel for what's appropriate in the approach to writing and performing music. James has a varied taste and is established in the blues, soul and jazz scene. He has played and recorded on an international scale.
"Playing on The Borders of Light was a pleasure and an honour, there is some amazing attention to detail on this album throughout and sustaining passion from all who are involved."
Paul Thompson
Bass guitar
Bad ass player, would have his turquoise Charvel bass drown out the vocals if he could get away with it. Seriously tested the foundation of the building while recording for Raw Silk. Currently also plays with Dark Forest (UK) and with Whitesnake UK (the Tribute) band.
