Biography
Gaia Mesiah, a rock quartet from Prague in the Czech Republic made up of three women and one man, treats heavy music as fertile ground for wide-ranging sonic, stylistic, and inner explorations in the manner of Faith No More, Jane's Addiction, Deftones, and Tool. Their aggressive, groove-heavy riffs regularly veer into funk, Latin music, or jazz, yet even the band's most direct passages retain a charged, inventive spark.
The group's origins lie in the early bond between guitarist Santa Morella and drummer Misha Cortez, who both came from modest neighborhoods on the edges of Prague and found an outlet in sound. Those two anchored the project when it began in 1998. Singer Marka Rybin, whose powerful voice had been honed in part through years of athletic training, entered the lineup in 2001. The band played its first show that December at Prague's Futurum club, still lacking a steady bassist; Australian-born traveler and musician Josh Stewart filled the role for the occasion after having left his homeland several years earlier in pursuit of "music and soul" and later sharing rehearsal space with the group in Prague. Following further discussion and an unsuccessful search for another player, the band invited Stewart to stay permanently, and he accepted.
Gaia Mesiah issued its self-titled debut in 2003, though the release functioned more as an initial demo than a finished album. Energetic, high-impact shows across the Czech Republic soon led to a deal with Universal Music. The follow-up full-length Ocean, produced by George Erice, appeared in 2005. In 2007 the band drew the notice of Jaz Coleman, Killing Joke frontman and frequent Prague visitor, who took on production duties for the third album, Alpha Female, and noted in an interview that he had turned down several other offers simply to work with them. Alpha Female stands as the strongest entry in the band's catalog. In March 2008, however, vocalist Marka Rybin departed to focus on other work and family responsibilities, prompting Gaia Mesiah to continue and begin the search for a replacement singer.
The group's origins lie in the early bond between guitarist Santa Morella and drummer Misha Cortez, who both came from modest neighborhoods on the edges of Prague and found an outlet in sound. Those two anchored the project when it began in 1998. Singer Marka Rybin, whose powerful voice had been honed in part through years of athletic training, entered the lineup in 2001. The band played its first show that December at Prague's Futurum club, still lacking a steady bassist; Australian-born traveler and musician Josh Stewart filled the role for the occasion after having left his homeland several years earlier in pursuit of "music and soul" and later sharing rehearsal space with the group in Prague. Following further discussion and an unsuccessful search for another player, the band invited Stewart to stay permanently, and he accepted.
Gaia Mesiah issued its self-titled debut in 2003, though the release functioned more as an initial demo than a finished album. Energetic, high-impact shows across the Czech Republic soon led to a deal with Universal Music. The follow-up full-length Ocean, produced by George Erice, appeared in 2005. In 2007 the band drew the notice of Jaz Coleman, Killing Joke frontman and frequent Prague visitor, who took on production duties for the third album, Alpha Female, and noted in an interview that he had turned down several other offers simply to work with them. Alpha Female stands as the strongest entry in the band's catalog. In March 2008, however, vocalist Marka Rybin departed to focus on other work and family responsibilities, prompting Gaia Mesiah to continue and begin the search for a replacement singer.
Albums
Elements (Best of 2005-2025 Remastered Edition)
2025
VLNOBYTÍ
2023
Refresh in Golden Hive Live
2020
Excellent Mistake
2018
Thank You Dr. Beat
2008
Alpha Female
2007
Ocean
2007
Singles
