Update: At the Head of Delegations meeting in Vienna, Armenia officially renamed its song “Face the Shadow”. We have amended this post to reflect the change. The song was originally called “Don’t Deny.”
This evening Armenia’s AMPTV has given us two things to shout about. They’ve revealed that Inga Arshakyan is the sixth member of their Eurovision supergroup Genealogy. And they’ve revealed the actual song “Face the Shadow” along with the official video. The video is glossy and expensive, giving each of its six stars — Inga, Stephanie Topalian, Essaï Altounian, Vahe Tilbian, Mary-Jean O’Doherty Vasmatzian and Tamar Kaprelian — time to shine. The song itself has a jazzy, blues-y vibe, particularly in the chorus. These six artists may have six very different voices, but they work well together. Are you loving it?
Armenia: “Don’t Deny” (Eurovision 2015)
About Inga Arshakyan
Rumours have swirled from the very beginning that Inga would be the Armenian born-and-bred artist representing the Motherland.
Inga & Anush, Armenia’s 2009 representatives, brought a dance ready folk-pop masterpiece, which sadly was lost in the point vacuum created by Norway that year. They sang in sync, and brought a memorable stage performance, utilizing traditional folk costumes and infusing them with an amazing, modern laser show. They are one of the most enchanting Eurovision duets ever.
The video is perfection. I love it. The vocals are great. But, I’m still struggling to like this song. I’m in a love and hate relationship with this song. But the more I watch and listen to it, my opinion is slowly changing towards liking it a little more???? Oh, I don’t know…
?Leave it to the Azeris to spam the Armenian entry’s page.?
A M A Z I N G !! best song for the moment I LOVE U ARMENIA ! <3
I listened to it once and I think it’s way too complicated for me…too much going on…
It’s got some very talented singers, but other than Inga, I doubt they’re used to sharing the spotlight, it could be an issue on the night…. The song is… okay. the last minute or so has /some/ oomph, but the most of it is a bit flat. In terms of song topic, it’s questionably political. this year being the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which is an issue of contention between Armenia and Turkey (and likely by extension, Azerbaijan) with the denial of the event happening. I’m surprised this hasn’t gone through the EBU filter like “Don’t Wanna Put… Read more »
I’m sorry Armenia, this is a travesty. I don’t like it that much (and I usually LOVE Armenia, every entry except 2007, 2013 and this one). Too dramatic, and I’m totally lost in translation, I’m just like ‘Ok, seems to be about broken ties or something’, I don’t get it and the message isn’t that much clear to me, too focused on what happened 100 years ago.
After not alone it seems Armenia wanted to host the contest this year because no way is this song qualifying
I really appreciate the whole concept of this year’s Armenian entry. (Incidentally, we have many songs with messages this year). The video is interesting, especially the inserting of the Armenian past. Nevertheless, the song itself is quite messy:/ To my mind, all these voices don’t “cooperate” with one another. The song is average/good.
WOW! It’s more than my expectations!! Sooo Perfect
PERFECT….the lyrics, video, message….Well done…. GO ARMENIAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
This song kinda reminds me of the song Portugal send in 1988 – Voltarei, by Dora :s
I watched the music video again just to give it a second try. The studio version convinced me only in a less way. But I am hopeful that they can execute them in a powerful way when they perform the song on stage.
i love the music video but the song sounds a little shouty for me. i was like, gosh… fine, I WILL NOT DENY!
Personally i dont like this kind of musical soup , sound annoying.
1 Spain
2 Estonia
3 Netherlands
4 Greece
5 Israel
6 Ireland
The voices do not match-up perfectly and it makes the song sound even more fantastic and extraordinary. I like it, great song.
Cringe. Awful musical song. Too many singers.
This is OK, I honestly don’t know how to feel about it. It’s 5/10 and between Cyprus and Hungary in my ranking at 14th.
Protip: don’t watch the newly released songs with music videos while reading the comments. It might make you doubt if the song is good or bad for you. Now I can’t say the song is also a good one and might do well in the finals as the feeling of excitement in listening to “Don’t Deny” slowly disappears on my part.
Mixed feelings on this after all the hype. Final, yes, thanks to the East bloc, Greece and France voting in Armenia’s semi. After that, who knows? 6.5/10
Bring back Sirusho!
2015 is a big year for armenians and if you know armenian history I think you’ll really understand the meaning of this song… It’s not about denying the genocide nor is it political Armenia basically worked outside of the box and built bridges to America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia I haven’t seen one other country so far in the competition to have a meaningful ballad/song like Armenias To me this song is saying don’t deny who you are… Live up to your name The pins that each of the singers are wearing are who they’re representing in this song… Read more »
With all the hype and personal anticipation that I had for this song…I’ll admit the first time I heard this song, it was underwhelming to say the least….But after listening to it a couple more times I found that the song is quite the grower….You understand the power behind it and the impact the music video leaves on you… The only problem I have is….How are they going to translate this on a live stage….Anything can happen when it’s on live viewing….but I hope it could turn out to be a brilliant performance….If the Armenians find a way to translate… Read more »
Ok, after having heard this several times, here’s my take on Armenia in Eurovision 2015 – @William Adams – feel free to blog this 🙂 When Armenia announced the concept of selecting its act for 2015, everyone felt that it was something new, fresh, but I believe many of us had the same question – will this end up like Belarus in 2011 or Switzerland in 2006. The idea of having six singers sing one song in three minutes means that a) they don’t get long singing parts and b) their voices are going to be on top of one… Read more »
It’s not a bad song, but something is missing.
The pre-choruses are my favourite parts and Inga is terrific. <3
Not too sure about the song itself but I have to say that the music video is probably the best one of the year. (Unless Norway sends En Godt Stekt Pizza :P)
If they had better lyrics in the chorus, it would actually be an above average song, but I don’t like the choruses. 🙁
My TOP 31
1.Italy
2.Slovenia
3.Spain
4.Serbia
5.Estonia
6.Iceland
7.The Netherlands
8.United Kingdom
9.Romania
10.Belgium
11.Greece
12.Malta
13.Israel
14.Belarus
15.Georgia
16.Denmark
17.Switzerland
18.Moldova
19.Poland
20.France
21.Cyprus
22.Portugal
23.Lithuania
24.Germany
25.Czech Republic
26.Hungary
27.F.Y.R Macedonia
28.Ireland
29.Latvia
30.Armenia
31.Finland
I don t like it. For me one of worst eurovision song from Armenia. Only worst from than is Armenia 2013.
For me top 3 song from Armenia are 2009, 2006 and on 3r place 2008.
They will go to final, only because that we have 5 countries from ex Soviet Union to vote for tham plus France and Greece.
It’s no doubt Armenia’s best entry so far and one of the best this year. Don’t really expect people to appreciate this though. It’s not your usual kiss-kiss, bang-bang Eurovision song full of cheesy lyrics and kitsch. I would say it is too much for Eurovision!
I was a fan from the first time I heard it, and I was in danger of crying from the second chorus until the end – it’s so powerful and beautiful. I can’t wait to see it live!
Definitely in my top 4, and I would be very happy if it won.
Hmmmmmm! Too much going on! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I’m Armenian and I will be honest 100%. I don’t hate the song nor the music. I love, love, love Inga’s vocals. She sounds the best. As a matter of fact, everyone sounds great. But… I totally agree that Esaii’s French accent is a bit too heavy to open up this song. I think the lyrics are ok too but the music is above and beyond too much for ESC. It’s just another level of sophistication that not everyone likes and agrees to. It’s like classical music. Everyone doesn’t love classical music, but of… Read more »
Probably again in the top 4 this year, maybe even a win…
And do you know why? Because Armenia always scores very high in televoting, most of the time it’s the jury who pulls them down, so this time, amazing voices are combined with thousands of emotional Armenian emigrants spread all over Europe…. Let that sink in people
It breaks my heart that no one understands the real meaning of this song. Instead everyone is complaining or hating on it instead… Smh no one understands music.
Hmm, I need to correct myself.
The first time I didn’t like it, but now, I have raped the replay button.
Wauw, excellent job!
It sounds awful… The song is messy, and the rythm comes out quite weird. The first singer clearly can’t speak English. If that makes it to the final, my name is Robin Hood.
So for the song… I REALLY like Inga and the first guy’s parts but the rest of them confuse me and make the song messy, too many singers. So for me it is probably ranked somewhere near 20th at the moment.
This is a song you need to listen a couple of times. I actualle liked it, just let sink it in!
I LOVE THIS, WTF
Bad but better than the mess from last year.
@Titaniumsparrow: Yeah, I don’t get why they put the guy with the worst English first.
This song is all over the place. I don’t know how I feel about it. The instrumentation is fairly weak too.
All in all, it sounds like another undeserving qualifier to the finals from Armenia.
I don’t understand, They want to take about their country and culture and they do it through a disney ballad. And why so many female voices and one guy. It is a mess.
Armenia and Greece should take their cue from Israel this year. They really flunked it.
Hmm its like Steps meets Spice Girls. Definitely not as good as Jan Jan..but I’m looking forward to seeing the flower concept staging at the show.
I like the voices, each of them sounds amazing, especially Inga. But the song itself is a bit boring. It feels like the song was made in the last minute. I was expecting something better after all that overhyping. Anyway, good luck Armenia.
Well this is like a disney song,not bad. Their 2009 entry was bad for me actually lol
There is no doubt that they are all talented but the song is so boring and usual
Are you kidding? I wanted Monica Avanesyan to be the final member! 🙁
Oh well. Maybe Monica could be the spokesperson instead 🙂
@Mellisa J – Yea, I guess Armenia complaining about Azerbaijan’s constant esc violations makes them “whinny and political”. They should just shut up and let Azerbaijan turn off the cable when the Armenian entry comes on. Let’s see…if this was done to your country, I am more than sure you wouldn’t call it a “whinny and political act”.
This isn’t what I was expecting.
Starting the song off with a member with the heaviest accent wasn’t the best move.
The video is great but the song itself is a bit of a mess.
I have a feeling this may work live.
@Sam "Sopon": Oh okay! Thank you!
I suppose Armenia will get the votes as all 6 artists are known worldwide. As for the song its good not great but good
I don´t understand anything… What a musical mess!!!