Firewind, Power/Speed Metal Options

[Thiarnan]

(IMG:http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/362/firewindlogo.jpg)
Genre(s):
Power/Speed Metal
Lyrical Theme(s):
War, inner strength, human responsibilities
Origin:
United States of America (Boston, Massachusetts) (early) / Thessaloniki, Greece (now)
Formed In:
1998
Status:
Active
Current line-up:
Apollo Papathanasio - Vocals (2005-) (Time Requiem, Meduza, Gardenian, Majestic (Swe), Evil Masquerade, Sandalinas, Spiritual Beggars)
Gus G. - Guitars (1998-) (Dream Evil, Mystic Prophecy, Nightrage, Ozzy Osbourne)
Petros Christodoylidis - Bass (2003-) (Breaking Silence)
Bob Katsionis - Keyboards, Live Rhythm Guitars (2004-) (Nightfall (Grc), Imaginery, Zion (Grc), Overlord's Perpetual, Star Queen, Skyward (Grc), Karmic Link, Septicflesh, Fatal Morgana, Mirage (Grc), Encomium (Grc), Casus Belli (Grc), Francesco Fareri, Mike Dimareli Artical, Ioannis Anastassakis, Minuetum, Outloud (Grc), Revolution Renaissance)
Michael Ehré - Drums (2010-) (Metalium (Deu), Saeko, Pryer, Murder One (Deu), Uli Jon Roth, Kee Marchello)
Former/Past Member(s):
Vocals:
Brandon Pender (1998)
Stephen Fredrick (2001-2004) (Kenziner, Spike, Kinrick)
Chitral "Chity" Somapala (2004-2005) (Red Circuit, Court Jester (Deu), Ivanhoe (Deu), Avalon (Deu), Domain (Deu), Powerworld, Civilization One, Moonlight Agony, David Shankle Group, Power Quest)
Bass:
Kostas "Konstantine" Exarhakis (2001-2003) (Medieval Death)
Drums:
Matt Scurfield (1998) (The Reign of Terror, Event, Jaye Foucher)
Brian Harris (2001-2003) (Decay (USA), Foul Stench, Kenziner, Michael Harris, Seven Seraphim, The Reefer Hut, Vainglory, Zanister, Darkology)
Stian L. Kristoffersen (2003-2005) (Pagan's Mind, Jørn, Kinrick, Dimension F3H, Trivial Act)
Mark Cross (2005-2010) (Metalium (Deu), Winters Bane, At Vance, Nightfall (Grc), God's Army, The Supremacy, Outloud (Grc), Magna Carta, Spitfire (Grc), Helloween)

Additional notes

Firewind began as more of a showcase than a band. After dropping out of musical college in the USA, the young Greek guitarist Kostas Karamitroudis recorded a full-length demo with the help of friends to display his guitar skills to potential labels. Despite not being seen as a real band, he liked the name 'FireWind' and it was used to market the demo, called "Nocturnal Symphony."

Despite interest from legendary shredder David T. Chastain's label Leviathan, Kostas' - now known as Gus G (Gus is the English equivalent of Kostas) - ideas of forming his own band were put on hold when he was offered gigs in Dream Evil, Nightrage and - through Chatsain - Mystic Prophecy.

After the recording debut albums and demos with these respective bands, Gus got back in touch with Leviathan about recording an album where he would write all the music. All the guitar parts were recorded in Greece, with the bass being played by scene veteran Konstantine, while the drums and vocals were recorded by two of Chastain's long time associates, Brian Harris and Stephen Fredrick. The name Firewind was kept on despite their being little connection between this project and the original demo.

After the recording of the first album, "Between Heaven and Hell," the original rhythm section Konstantine and Brian Harris left as they were unable to commit to touring. They were replaced by Gus' friend Petros Christo and Stian L. Kristoffersen, another associate of Chastain. Stephen Fredrick stayed on to record "Burning Earth" after assuring Gus he would be willing to do a tour afterwards, but when the time came he backed down and was subsequently told his services would no longer be required.

The Sri Lankan singer Chity Somapala and keyboard player Bob Katsionis were recruited for the Burning Earth tour and were hired full-time for the recording of the third album, "Forged by Fire", released in 2005. Somapala left soon afterwards for personal reasons.

Around the same time, Stian L. Kristoffersen was asked to leave Firewind because they wanted to settle the band in a single location (Athens). To this end they hired the Greek-based duo of Apollo Papathanasio and Mark Cross to fill the vocalist and drumming positions, respectively.

Gus has also gradually dropped his other commitments, leaving Dream Evil in 2004, Mystic Prophecy in 2005 and finally Nightrage at the beginning of 2006, in order for Firewind to become a full-time band for all involved.

Henning Basse twice filled in on tour in 2007 when Apollo Papathanasio was unavailable.

In 2010 Firewind appeared on the Metal Hammer UK Judas Priest tribute album "The Metal Forge: Volume 1 - Judas Priest: British Steel", covering "Breaking the Law".

Birth dates:
Kostas Karamitroudis (12th September 1980, Thessaloniki, Greece)
Petros Christodoylidis (4th March 1975, Thessaloniki, Greece)
Babis Katsionis (17th February 1977, Athens, Greece)
Mark Cross (2nd August 1965, London, England)
Matthew Robert Scurfield (10th March 1976, USA)
Stian Lindaas Kristoffersen (24th December 1976, Porsgrunn, Norway)

On photo Left to right: Michael, Petros, Apollo, Gus, Bob

Bootlegs:

Firewind - Firesongs [bootleg] (2012)

(IMG:http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/686/firewindphoto.jpg)
Discography:
Firewind - Nocturnal Symphony [demo] - 1998
Firewind - Between Heaven And Hell [full-length] - 2002
Firewind - Burning Earth [full-length] - 2003
Firewind - Forged By Fire [full-length] - 2005
Firewind - Falling To Pieces [single] - 2006
Firewind - Allegiance [full-length] - 2006
Firewind - Breaking The Silence [single] - 2007
Firewind - Mercenary Man [single] - 2008
Firewind - The Premonition [full-length] - 2008
Firewind - Live Premonition [live] - 2008
Firewind - World On Fire [single] - 2010
Firewind - Days Of Defiance [full-length] - 2010
Firewind - Embrace the Sun [single] - 2011
Firewind - Wall of Sound [single] - 2012
Firewind - Few Against Many [full-length] - 2012
Firewind - Immortals [full-length] - 2017

*****
Official site:
http://www.myspace.com/firewind

This post has been edited by DarkHorde: Jan 19 2017, 03:03:03