Xylina Spathia

Xylina Spathia (Greek: Τα Ξύλινα Σπαθιά; transl. 'The Wooden Swords') is a Greek rock band from Thessaloniki, Greece.

From 1993 to 2003, the band released five albums and a CD single. Despite achieving early commercial success, the group avoided media exposure to maintain their artistic independence, continuously evolving their sound across albums while experimenting with improvisation during live performances.

Xylina Spathia has been described as one of the best-selling Greek bands, along with Pyx Lax and Trypes. The band has accumulated millions of streams on YouTube, as well as various other platforms, such as Apple Music and Spotify.

The original lineup consisted of:

• Pavlos Pavlidis – vocals, guitar
• Vasilis Gountaroulis – keyboards, samplers
• Christos Tsaprazis – bass
• Panos Tolios – drums, percussion (1993–1997)

Former members include:

• Stavros Rossopoulos – guitar (1993–1994)
• Takis Kanellos – drums (1997)
• Giannis Mitsis – drums (1998–2003)
• Kostas Pantelis – guitar (2000–2003)
• Nikos Kyriakopoulos – percussion, backing vocals (2001–2003)

Session musicians who appeared on the band's albums include:

• Dimos Gountaroulis – cello
• Giorgos Tolios – percussion
• Giorgos Papazoglou – percussion
• Rita Hatzinikoli – percussion
• Fotis Siotas – violin
• Aristeidis Hatzistavrou – classical guitar

Pavlos Pavlidis was previously with the Greek rock band Mora sti Fotia (Greek: Μωρά στη Φωτιά; transl. 'Babies on Fire'). In 1989, he traveled to France and stayed with Nikos Kantaris in Mériel, a commune near Paris. They established the Brancaleone Studio, where Pavlidis recorded the first demos of his songs. The band's first two albums were later dedicated to Nikos Kantaris. During his stay in Paris, Pavlidis also met Giannis Mitsis, who would join the band in 1998.

In 1992, Pavlidis returned to Thessaloniki and, together with Vasilis Gountaroulis, Christos Tsaprazis, Panos Tolios, and Stavros Rossopoulos, began working on material he had developed during his stay in France. With this lineup, the group performed live for the first time in Karditsa under the name "Brancaleone". They later changed their name to the current "Xylina Spathia" ^[1]('The Wooden Swords'), inspired by the novel of the same name by Pantelis Kaliotsos.

In 1993, the band's debut album, Xessaloniki ('Thessaloniki'), was released by Ano Kato Records. The album featured twelve tracks recorded between September and October 1993 at Magnanimous Studio, owned by Giorgos Pentzikis in Thessaloniki, with Christos Harbilas serving as the sound engineer.

Two songs, "To nero pou kylaei" and "Poulia 2", had previously been recorded at Brancaleone Studio in 1992. The album included tracks such as "Adrenalini", "Treno fantasma", "Rodes", "Siopi", and "O vasilias tis skonis", which are regarded by some as classic Greek rock. A 2005 review by the website mic.gr described Xessaloniki as "something much more than what it seemed to be back in 1993: a new current for Greek rock".

In 1994, the band performed live in various cities across Greece. Stavros Rossopoulos left the band, yet was not replaced by another guitarist.

In 1995, the band's second album, Pera apo tis poleis tis asfaltou (transl. 'Beyond the cities of asphalt'), was released by Virgin Records. The album featured ten songs recorded between September and November 1994 at Magnanimous Studio. Notable tracks included "Rita", "Oti thes esy", "Fotia sto limani", "Atlantis", and "Liomeno pagoto", the latter becoming the group's greatest commercial success.

Due to legal issues with their previous label, the album was temporarily withdrawn from commercial sale, but the issue was ultimately resolved, and it was reissued on the market. Dionysis Savvopoulos also testified during the trial. The album's sales and radio play far exceeded the band's expectations, leading Pavlos Pavlidis to remark, "People help you go higher, if you have to go somewhere."

In 1996, Pera apo tis poleis tis asfaltou achieved gold status. The band performed concerts across Greece, attracting a large and growing audience. The songs "Liomeno pagoto" and "Fotia sto limani" became major hits, particularly popular among younger listeners.

In 1997, the band's third album, Mia matia san vrohi, was released by Virgin Records. It featured ten tracks recorded between January and April 1997 at Magnanimous Studio. The album included hits such as "Vrohopoios", "Den ehei telos", "Ena paraxeno tragoudi", "Sto vraho", "Allazei prosopa i thlipsi", and "Robot".

Mia matia san vrohi is often regarded as the band's finest and most artistically significant release. The group explored more electronic sounds in this album, with Vasilis Gountaroulis taking a leading role in composition alongside contributions from all members.

In a 1997 interview, Pavlidis stated,

"What interested me from the beginning was having a band that, given its success, would continue to evolve. When we came together, I realized we were a strong group with unpredictable potential. Now, with our third record, the work feels complete, and ideas emerge from all directions."

That same year, the band continued performing across Greece and Cyprus, with a highlight performance at the Vyronas Festival, which drew a record crowd of 8,000 people. In the fall, following an invitation from MTV, they performed at the H.Q. Club in London—their first appearance without Panos Tolios, who had left the band and was replaced by Takis Kanellos of Mode Plagal.

In 1998, Pera apo tis poleis tis asfaltou achieved platinum status, while Mia matia san vrohi was certified gold. The band's performances at Rodon in Athens and Mylos in Thessaloniki were sold out. In July, they appeared at Rockwave Festival '98, and in September, they opened for the Rolling Stones during their concert in Athens.

Pavlos Pavlidis remarked,

"The idea of singing in front of 80,000 people is crazy. When we finished, the Stones' manager told me, 'You are among the few bands that escaped the bottles. On our tours, we have a special staff to clean the stage from bottles thrown at supporting acts. Today the staff will rest.' When I asked which bands had also escaped the bottles, he said, 'Some I can recall are the Smashing Pumpkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers.'"

Later that year, the band returned to the United Kingdom and performed at The Haçienda in Manchester. As Takis Kanellos was unable to keep up with the band's demanding schedule, he was replaced by Giannis Mitsis.

In 1999, Trofi gia ta thiria (transl. 'Food for the beasts') was released by Virgin Records. The EP featured four tracks recorded between April and May 1999 at Agrotikon Studio, owned by Nikos Papazoglou in Thessaloniki. The songs reflected the band's dual musical direction—on one hand, calm and atmospheric compositions such as "Diastimoploia" and "Hathika", and on the other, energetic dance rhythms with electronic elements like "Trofi gia ta thiria" and "Tora arhizo kai thymamai".

This release served as a precursor to their final studio album, which would follow a year later.

In 2000, the band's fourth and final studio album, Enas kyklos ston aera (transl. 'A circle in the air'), was released by Virgin Records. The album featured ten songs recorded between May and June 2000 at Magnanimous Studio, with Christos Megas and Martin Ekman serving as sound engineers. Prominent tracks included "I teleutaia fora", "Ti perimenoun", "O navagos", "San esena", "Hartinos ouranos", as well as "Pare me mazi sou", the band's final hit. Earlier that winter, Pavlos Pavlidis had travelled to Amorgos, where he wrote most of the songs in a home studio he had set up there.

Enas kyklos ston aera was arguably the band's most creatively divided album, as the contrasting musical directions explored in the previous release became more evident. Consequently, energetic and dance-oriented songs like "Ti perimenoun" coexisted with slower, almost whisper-like compositions such as "O navagos".

During 2001 and 2002, the band continued to perform concerts across Greece, introducing new songs into their setlist.^[2] During this time, a sixth member, Nikos Kyriakopoulos, joined the lineup, contributing percussion and backing vocals.

In 2003, the band's album Live was released by Virgin Records. It featured sixteen tracks recorded during concerts held between February and November 2001, captured by the mobile recording units of Polytropon and Octal One Studios, with Christos Megas, Makis Pelopidas, Kostas Vamvoukas, Argyris Papageorgiou, Giorgos Kazantzis, and Vagelis Kalaras serving as sound engineers. All of the songs were drawn from the band's previous releases, except for one new track, "Grand Hotel".

At the end of the song, Pavlidis can be heard saying,

"Thank you... This is the first time we are playing it."

By the fall of 2003, Xylina Spathia had disbanded, with its members pursuing different musical paths. Their work continues to be recognized, and alongside Pavlos Sidiropoulos and Trypes, they are regarded as key figures in defining Greek rock.

In 2005, two years after the group's breakup, The Best Of was released by Virgin Records. The compilation featured sixteen tracks from the band's previous releases, along with a bonus track by Viton & Stel titled "Wooden Swordz". None of the original band members were involved in the production of this album.

• Label: Ano Kato Records
• Format: 1 CD
• Release date: 1993

• Αφού σου το 'πα (Afou sou to pa – English: I told you so)
• Ερώτηση κλειδί (Erotisi kleidi – English: Key question)
• Ξεσσαλονίκη (Xessaloniki – English: Thessaloniki)
• Ο καβαλάρης του τρόμου (O kavalaris tou tromou – English: The rider of fear)
• Το νερό που κυλάει (To nero pou kylaei – English: The water that flows)
• Πουλιά 1 (Poulia – English: Birds)
• Ο βασιλιάς της σκόνης (O vasilias tis skonis – English: The king of dust)
• Αδρεναλίνη (Adrenalini, English: Adrenaline)
• Τραίνο φάντασμα (Treno fantasma – English: Phantom train)
• Σιωπή (Siopi – English: Silence)
• Πουλιά 2 (Poulia – English: Birds)
• Ρόδες (Rodes, English: Wheels)
• Λόλα (Lola)
• Το νερό που κυλάει 2 (To nero pou kylaei – English: The water that flows)^[3]

• Label: Virgin Records
• Format: 1 CD
• Release date: 1995

• Λιωμένο παγωτό (Liomeno pagoto – English: Melted ice-cream)
• Ρίτα (Rita)
• Ο εξορκιστής (O exorkistis – English: The exorcist)
• Ό,τι θες εσύ (O, ti thes esy – English: Whatever you want)
• Φωτιά στο λιμάνι (Photia sto limani – English: Fire at the port)
• Ατλαντίς (Atlantis)
• O Κάιν (O Kain – English: Cain)
• Μη ρωτάς (Mi rotás – English: Don't ask)
• Οι συμμορίες της ασφάλτου (I symmories tis asphaltou – English: The gangs of asphalt)
• Μη ρωτάς (Remix 2) (Mi rotás – English: Don't ask)

• Label: Virgin Records
• Format: 1 CD
• Release date: 1997

• Ρομπότ (Robot)
• Το καράβι (To karavi – English: The ship)
• Ζεστός αέρας (Zestos aeras – English: Hot wind)
• Έχεις ξανάρθει εδώ (Eheis xanarthei edo – English: You've been here before)
• Βροχοποιός (Vrohopoios – English: Rainmaker)
• Δεν έχει τέλος (Den ehei telos – English: It has no end)
• Ένα παράξενο τραγούδι (Ena paraxeno tragoudi – English: A strange song)
• Στο βράχο (Sto vraho – English: At the rock)
• Μόνο αυτό (Mono auto – English: Only that)
• Αλλάζει πρόσωπα η θλίψη (Allazei prosopa I thlipsi – English: Sorrow changes faces)

• Label: Virgin Records
• Format: 1 CD S
• Release date: 1999

• Τροφή για τα θηρία (Trofi gia ta thiria – English: Food for the beasts)
• Διαστημόπλοια (Diastimoploia – English: Spaceships)
• Χάθηκα (Hathika – English: I'm lost)
• Τώρα αρχίζω και θυμάμαι (Tora arhizo kai thimamai – English: Now I begin to remember)

• Label: Virgin Records
• Format: 1 CD
• Release date: 2000

• Η τελευταία φορά (I teleutaia fora – English: The last time)
• Πάρε με μαζί σου (Pare me mazi sou – English: Take me with you)
• Στο Νότο (Sto Noto – English: To the South)
• Τι περιμένουν (Ti perimenoun – English: What are they waiting for)
• Ο ναυαγός (O navagos – English: The castaway)
• Κοιτάζω τα σπίτια (Koitazo ta spitia – English: I'm looking at the houses)
• Σαν εσένα (San esena – English: Like you)
• Πρέπει να έρθεις (Prepei na ertheis – English: You should come)
• Χάρτινος ουρανός (Hartinos ouranos – English: Paper sky)
• Οι δαίμονες (Oi daimones – English: The demons)

• Label: Virgin Records
• Format: 1 CD
• Release date: 2003

• Ατλαντίς (Atlantis)
• Ρίτα (Rita)
• Ένα παράξενο τραγούδι (Éna paráxeno tragóudi – English: A strange song)
• Ρόδες (Ródes – English: Wheels)
• Τι περιμένουν (Ti periménoun – English: What are they waiting for?)
• Τα πουλιά (Ta pouliá – English: The birds)
• Σαν εσένα (San eséna – English: Like you)
• Γκραντ Οτέλ (Grand Hotel)
• Στο βράχο (Sto vrácho – English: On the rock)
• Τώρα αρχίζω και θυμάμαι (Tóra archízo kai thymáme – English: Now I'm starting to remember)
• Δεν έχει τέλος (Den échei télos – English: either “It has no end” or “There is no end.”)
• Τρένο φάντασμα (Tréno fántasma – English: Ghost train)
• Πάρε με μαζί σου (Páre me mazí sou – English: Take me with you)
• Αδρεναλίνη (Adrenalíni – English: Adrenaline)
• Κοιτάζω τα σπίτια (Koitázo ta spítia – English: I look at the houses).

• Label: Virgin Records
• Format: 1 CD
• Release date: 2005

• Λιωμένο παγωτό (Lioméno pagotó – English: Melted ice cream)
• Ρίτα (Rita)
• Φωτιά στο λιμάνι (Fotiá sto limáni – English: Fire at the port)
• Ατλαντίς (Atlantís)
• Ο βασιλιάς της σκόνης (O vasilias tis skónis – English: The king of dust)
• Βροχοποιός (Vrochopoiós – English: Rainmaker)
• Ένα παράξενο τραγούδι (Éna paráxeno tragóudi – English: A strange song)
• Κοιτάζω τα σπίτια (Koitázo ta spítia – English: I look at the houses)
• Η τελευταία φορά (I teleftaía forá – English: The last time)
• Γκραντ Οτέλ (Live) (Grand Hotel)
• Αδρεναλίνη (Adrenalíni – English: Adrenaline)
• Πάρε με μαζί σου (Páre me mazí sou – English: Take me with you)
• Αλλάζει πρόσωπα η θλίψη (Allázei prósopa i thlípsi – English: Sadness changes faces)
• Τροφή για τα θηρία (Trofi gia ta thiría – English: Food for the beasts)
• Διαστημόπλοια (Diastimóploia – English: Spaceships)
• Σαν εσένα (San eséna – English: Like you)
• Wooden Swordz – Viton & Stel (bonus)