Greek priest behind the year's hippest doom metal album 'Paradise Metal'
Father Dionysios Tabakis, a Greek Orthodox priest from Nafplio, has gained cult status with his home-recorded doom metal album 'Paradise Metal', which received a 7.6 rating from Pitchfork. The album blends Byzantine music, heavy metal, rap, and techno, reflecting his belief that musical instruments are God's creation.
At 53, Father Dionysios Tabakis is an ordained priest in the Greek Orthodox Church, but he has become an unlikely music sensation with his album 'Paradise Metal'. Recorded in his apartment in Nafplio, the album mixes doom metal, Byzantine chants, Christmas carols, and religious dubstep. Experimental music site Pitchfork gave it a 7.6, higher than albums by Aphex Twin and Daft Punk.
Tabakis, who has been married to Foteini for 32 years and has three children, serves in a church that traditionally views instruments and secular music as devilish. However, he insists that God created everything, including electric guitars. He taught himself various Byzantine instruments like the cümbüş, kabak kemane, yayli tanbur, zurna, ney, and lyre.
One standout track, 'Techno in a Monastery', opens with the call 'Are you ready?' and blends chanting with a dark synth beat. Another song, 'Dubai Paei' (Bye, Dubai), is a satire on wealth inspired by the Middle East conflict and the mass exodus from Dubai. Tabakis says he ventured into rap to bridge the gap between older and younger generations.
Despite his musical success, Tabakis remains committed to his priesthood. 'They say a priest is better than a king, because he can turn bread into the body of Christ,' he remarks. He is reclusive by nature, rarely gives interviews, and has no plans for live performances unless they bring joy to others.
