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)