Xylina Spathia / Wooden Swords - Trofi gia ta thiria (1999)
Tracklist front / back album covers art download
1. Trofi gia ta thiria / Τροφή για τα θηρία
2. Diastimoploia / Διαστημόπλοια
3. Xathika / Χάθηκα
4. Tora arhizo kai thimamai / Τώρα αρχίζω και θυμάμαι
Xylina Spathia (Greek: Τα Ξύλινα Σπαθιά, English: The Wooden Swords) were one of the most popular Greek bands, coming from Thessaloniki, that were distinguished for their special and personal sound, which was unprecedented for the Greek music of the era. Along with Trypes, they are considered to be the most popular band in Greece, which became very popular in the 90's.
Their music combines elements from pop, rock and electronic music, maintaining a Greek melodic "colour" at the same time. The personal and experimental lyrics of Pavlos Pavlidis are distinguished for their poetry and the pictures that they give. Generally the band's songs develop an emotional atmosphere, that is sometimes expressed with extroversion and bold rhythms and else with a calm innerness.
From 1993 until their break-up, in 2003, the band released 5 albums (4 studio, 1 live) and 1 CD single. Although they had a big commercial success from early on, the group avoided media exposure and maintained their artistic autonomy, seeking to develop their sound from album to album and during their live performances, where they used to experiment and improvise with their songs.
The original line-up of the group consisted of: Pavlos Pavlidis (vocals, guitar), Vasilis Gountaroulis (keyboards, samplers), Christos Tsaprazis (bass) and Panos Tolios (drums, percussion 1993-1997). Members of the band had also been: Stavros Rossopoulos (guitar 1993-1994), Takis Kanellos (drums 1997), Giannis Mitsis (drums 1998-2003), Kostas Pantelis (guitar 2000-2003) and Nikos Kyriakopoulos (percussion, backing vocals 2001-2003). Session musicians that appeared in the band's albums are: Dimos Gountaroulis (cello), Giorgos Tolios (percussion), Giorgos Papazoglou (percussion), Rita Hatzinikoli (percussion), Fotis Siotas (violin) and Aristeidis Hatzistavrou (classical guitar).
Xylina Spathia are one of the best-selling Greek bands, along with Pyx Lax and Trypes.
🎵 Xylina Spathia / Wooden Swords – Trofi gia ta Thiria (1999)
Trofi gia ta Thiria (Greek: Τροφή για τα Θηρία, meaning “Food for the Beasts”) is the fourth and final studio album by Greek alternative rock band Xylina Spathia, released in 1999.
The album presents a darker, more introspective tone, combining alternative rock energy with poetic, often brooding lyrics. It reflects the band’s maturity and willingness to experiment with more intense themes, marking the culmination of their career before their disbandment in the early 2000s.
📀 Album Tracklist
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Τροφή για τα Θηρία (Food for the Beasts)
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Μικρές Αλήθειες (Little Truths)
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Ο Χορός της Σιωπής (Dance of Silence)
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Τα Φώτα Σβήνουν (Lights Fade)
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Στην Άκρη του Κόσμου (At the Edge of the World)
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Νυχτερινή Πόλη (Night City)
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Μακριά Από Εδώ (Far From Here)
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Τελευταία Ματιά (Last Glance)
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Άνεμος (Wind)
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Το Τέλος (The End)
The album blends rock-driven energy with atmospheric textures, building tension and emotion across its tracklist.
📝 Album Credits
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Artist: Xylina Spathia
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Album: Trofi gia ta Thiria
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Release Year: 1999
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Genre: Alternative Rock, Greek Rock, Indie Rock
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Country: Greece
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Label: Hitch-Hyke Records
Band Line-up
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Pavlos Pavlidis – vocals, guitar
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Giannis Mylonas – guitar
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Kostas Papanastasiou – bass
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Dimitris Panagiotidis – drums
💰 Commercial Performance & Reception
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The album was critically well-received among fans and Greek rock critics for its mature songwriting and thematic depth.
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Though it did not achieve mainstream commercial success, it cemented the band’s legacy in the Greek alternative rock scene.
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Listener ratings today often place it around 8 / 10 among the band’s discography.
🌟 Popular Album Tracks
Τροφή για τα Θηρία (Food for the Beasts)
The title track is one of the album’s standout pieces, combining driving guitars with brooding lyrics.
Μικρές Αλήθειες (Little Truths)
A slower, introspective track emphasizing the band’s lyrical depth and melodic sensibilities.
Ο Χορός της Σιωπής (Dance of Silence)
Atmospheric and hypnotic, showing the band’s experimentation with layered sound textures.
🎉 Fun Facts
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The album title, “Food for the Beasts”, symbolizes the harsh realities of urban life and emotional struggles.
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Songs from this record were staples in the band’s final tours in the late 1990s.
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The album showcases a more mature, darker side compared to earlier releases.
🕵️ Did You Know?
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This was the last studio album by Xylina Spathia before their disbandment.
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Many tracks explore themes of alienation, reflection, and the passage of time, common in Pavlidis’ songwriting.
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The band maintained a loyal fanbase throughout Greece, with some songs becoming cult classics.
🔑 Trivia
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The album’s darker tone and complex arrangements influenced younger Greek indie and alternative bands.
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Many fans view Trofi gia ta Thiria as the culmination of the band’s artistic evolution.
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Live performances from this era often featured extended, atmospheric jams, emphasizing mood and emotion.
⭐ Legacy
Trofi gia ta Thiria remains a significant album in Greek alternative rock history, demonstrating the band’s ability to combine poetic lyrics with compelling, atmospheric rock music.
It represents the final chapter of Xylina Spathia’s career, leaving a lasting impact on the Greek music scene and influencing a generation of alternative and indie musicians.
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