Armenia: Tamar Kaprelian joins forces with Elina, Elhaida, Maria-Elena and Stephanie!

Tamar Kaprelian from Genealogy has teamed up with Elina Born from Estonia, Elhaida Dani from Albania, Maria-Elena Kyriakou from Greece and Stephanie Topalian also from Armenia to collaborate on her new song. The Otherside was written by Tamar and Xandy Barry. It's an incredible piece. The video-clip is stunning. It's a story many of us can relate with. Their voices work wonderfully together.. Elhaida's part is my favourite though :-)What do you think? Listen below:

REVIEWING THE CLASS OF 2015: ARMENIA!

Armenia opted for supergroup Genealogy to represent their country in Vienna. The group consists of six musicians from different continents but all are of Armenian descent. Genealogy was formed for Eurovision and unofficially to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.. On paper, it sounds very promising but does the song live up to our expectations?

Ana: Although this song is not bad I find it a little repetitive. I think that it would fit better in a musical than in a song contest. Being 6 people with different voices and personalities don’t help them; even it’ll be a problem to design a good staging. 6/10

Ilkar: With all the polemics and change of title where are we now? On paper a very promising act. Great individual voices and a song written for them to win. Shame it doesn't work. It's a musical tune that works when they sing their solo parts even if not still going anywhere. When they sing together it's all over the place and a mess. And why don't they sing even a bit of the song in Armenian? What kind of tribute this is without an Armenian part? Politics aside, this is the worst Armenian entry ever 2/10

Jack: I expected something really good here but I'm afraid Face The Shadow doesn't really reach my expectations. All the artists are very different, and great in their own respective genre - but together? Hmm. Could be a disaster on stage. Remember Switzerland 2006? Armenia will probably make the final. Not for me. 3.5/10

Jess: When I first heard this song I was not sure what to think, but now I really like it! 7/10

John: I have to admit to liking this a lot. With an almost anthemic quality it is a very easy-on-the ear ballad with its trio of strong vocalists. Goes off the rails a bit at 2.30 but gets back on track for the finish. 7/10

OUR VERDICT - 25.5/50
OVERALL SCORE - 5.1/10

Armenia: Genealogy's song title changed!

The Armenian entry is no longer called Don't Deny but Face The Shadow instead. It was changed to avoid any controversy as the songs title may have been deemed too political.

Armenia: 'Don't Deny' revealed!

The Armenian entry has been revealed! It's another ballad, and not a bad one, but I'm not quite sure what to think about it yet... Judge for yourself here.

Armenia: The members of Genealogy!

Armenia's act for Vienna, Genealogy, will consist of 6 singers and the members will all be released in due course. On this post, Ill update it with the members once revealed along with some background information.

Essaï Altounian, commonly known as Essaï, is a French/Armenian musician and actor. To centennial the 1915 Armenian genocide, he composed the song Je n'oublie pas- Chem morana. More information here.

On 20th February, it was announced American based Tamar Kaprelian would be the 2nd member of the group. Her previous songs include New Day and California..

Vahe Tilbian has been announced as the third member of Genealogy. He is a 34 year old singer, dancer and musician. He's Ethiopian, with Armenian decent. The fourth member will be revealed later...

Stephanie Topalian has been announced as the forth member of Genealogy. She's a Japanese American singer, songwriter and also an actress of mixed Japanese and Armenian descent. She was born to a Japanese mother and an Armenian father in America. The next member will be announced on 3rd March and will have links to Australia!

Mary-Jean O'Doherty is the firth member. She's an Australian opera singer - with Armenian decent of course.. the final singer is going to be revealed next week! Will it be Inga from Eurovision 2009?

Azerbaijan: "Eurovision shouldn't be converted into a political arena"

Uh oh.. Armenia recently announced their entry will be entitled Don't Deny and it is to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide. Long term rivals, Azerbaijan, are not amused with this decision and said:

This contest can’t be a victim of any country’s political ambitions and converted into a political arena. The Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company state that if the news is confirmed, we will also take appropriate steps in the contest.

Does this mean Azerbaijan would threaten to withdraw if the Armenian entry goes ahead? More information here. The Armenian entry is yet to be released and it remains to be seen if the lyrics will also be politically themed.

GENEALOGY TO REPRESENT ARMENIA!

In order to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Armenia will send a group consisting of of five artists from Armenian diaspora in Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Australia. Genealogy's song is called Don't Deny and will be released later. The group members are yet to be officially revealed although Tamar Kaprelian, Athena Manoukian, Essai, Vahe Tilbian and Inga Arshakyan are said rumoured to be part of this special made group. If I'm honest, I don't know how to feel about this. Could be amazing although Switzerland 2006 also springs to mind...