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Infobox musical artist | name = Firewind| image = Firewind live in Paris.jpg| caption = Firewind, live in Paris, France| image_size = 250| background = group_or_band| origin = Thessaloniki, Greece | genre = Power metal , heavy metal music|heavy metal , speed metal (early)| years_active = 1998–Present| label = Century Media Records|Century Media | associated_acts = Ozzy Osbourne Dream Evil MysticProphecy Nightrage Spiritual Beggars Helloween Kinrick Pagan's Mind Metalium Nightfall Septic Flesh Outloud | website = http://www.firewind.gr/ www.firewind.gr| current_members = Gus G. Petros Christo doulidis Bob Katsionis Apollo Papathanasio Johan Nunez | past_members = Brandon Pender Stephen Fredrick Chitral Somapala Kostas Exarhakis Matt Scurfield Brice Harris Stian Lindaas Kristoffersen Mark Cross (musician)|Mark Cross Michael Ehré Firewind is a Greek power metal band. Formed in 1998, the group is currently signed to Century Media Records and was originally a small project created by guitarist , Gus G. to showcase his demo (music)|demo , Nocturnal Symphony in 1998. Firewind later became a full band over three years later when they recorded their debut album, Between Heaven and Hell (album)|Between Heaven and Hell . To date, the band has released six studio albums and has been met with international success.
History
Early history
The band began in 1998 when the young Greece|Greek Gus G. decided to record a demo (music)|demo with some close musician friends in the United States . The project was entitled Firewind, and was used as a showcase for Gus' guitar skills in an attempt to earn a professional recording deal.Metal Archives http://www.metal-archives.com/more.php? id=2025 Firewind history The demo attracted the attention of Leviathan Records, but activity was put on hold when Gus was hired by Nightrage , Dream Evil , and MysticProphecy .
Between Heaven and Hell
After the release of his other bands' debut albums, Gus' attention returned to the Firewind project. Only he remained from the original formation - Leviathan owner David T. Chastain brought in vocalist Stephen Fredrick and drummer Brian Harris (both formerly of Kenziner), while Gus enlisted the help of bassist Kostas Exarhakis|Konstantine . This line-up recorded the debut album Between Heaven and Hell (album)|Between Heaven and Hell .
Burning Earth
In 2003, new changes were instituted as drummer Stian Kristoffersen and bassist Petros Christo joined the band. Harris and Konstantine had been replaced as Gus was looking for a more permanent rhythm section that was prepared to tour. This lineup recorded Burning Earth and went on a tour of Japan with Rob Rock , but without vocalist Fredrick, who was not prepared to go on the road (despite prior guarantees to the contrary). At their October 2007 show at ProgPower USA , the band briefly reunited with Fredrick for a few songs off their first two albums.
Forged by Fire
Fredrick's replacement on the Burning the Earth Tour, singer Chitral Somapala|Chitral "Chity" Somapala , was given the job full-time. Fellow touring member Bob Katsionis was also hired permanently to play keyboards. Firewind got a worldwide deal with Century Media by the end of that year.
A few months after Forged By Fire was released, Chitral left due to personal and musical differences with the rest of the band. When his replacement, Apollo Papathanasio (of Time Requiem ), was found, it was also announced that Kristoffersen would be leaving, to be replaced by United Kingdom|British drummer Mark Cross (musician)|Mark Cross . The reason for the split was that Gus wanted to have a set of Greek-based musicians willing to make Firewind their number one priority (probably to end the virtual revolving door of members) and Stian's main band was the Norway|Norwegian outfit Pagan's Mind . Gus also left his roles in Dream Evil, MysticProphecy and Nightrage .
Between 2004 and 2006, the band recorded Allegiance (album)|Allegiance , which was released in July 2006. From November to December 2006, they toured the UK supporting DragonForce with All That Remains (band)|All That Remains .
Firewind accomplished their 2006/2007 world tour in Copenhagen at the Scandinavian Prog Power festival on November 10. The band went around the globe almost twice being on three continents including Asia , Africa , North America and Europe and played nearly 100 shows. The band went to Sweden to record The Premonition (album)|The Premonition , which was released in 2008. http://www.komodorock.com/reviews/cd-reviews/firewind-%11-the-premonition-200802144281/ The Premonition - Review Feb 14. 2008
In November 2008, the band released their first DVD, Live Premonition , containing footage of their entire concert at their home town in Greece on January 12 of that year.
The band has been touring with Stratovarius in the UK from May 15, 2009 to May 20, 2009. During this tour, they added 2 new songs to their setlist: "Losing Faith" and "Days of No Trust". These songs have not yet been confirmed to appear on a future album release.cite web|url= http://www.firewind.gr/2008/home.asp |title=\\ FIREWIND // The official website |publisher=Firewind.gr |date= |accessdate=2011-09-14
In 2010 Firewind appeared in Issue 3 of the Eternal Descent Comic Book series. The narrative was inspired by lyrics from 'Angels Forgive Me' featured on 'The Premonition'
At the end of September 2009, Firewind began work on their sixth studio album, the band confirmed that they have written 12 vocal and two instrumental songs.
On January 13, Firewind announced that they were parting ways with drummer Mark Cross, with Michael Ehré (Uli Jon Roth, Metalium, Kee Marcello) playing at the live Mexico shows. Those shows, however, were cancelled.
On May 7, the band recorded a cover of Judas Priest 's " Breaking the Law " for a compilation CD by the magazine Metal Hammer . On May 26, Firewind announced the name of their new album as Days of Defiance and confirmed Michael Ehré as a full-time member although Mark Cross had recorded all drums on the album. On 6 August they confirmed release dates of their new album Days of Defiance (Europe 25 October and US a day later), and confirming release dates of their new single World on Fire (Firewind song)|World on Fire Us 17 August and Europe 23 August On the weekend of 20-22, August, Gus G guest appeared on the radio show Full Metal Jackie where he premièred a new song for the upcoming album called "Embrace the Sun"
Almost a year after the release of Days of Defiance, Firewind did a European headlining tour, with Mats Levén as a replacement for Apollo who couldn't make the european leg of the tour and a US headlining tour. Gus has said in an interview that Firewind will probably do a South America(this never happened) tour after the US tour and than enter the studio for a new album. Also has Michael Ehré left Firewind and Johan Nunez of Nightrage replaced him on the tours and now is a full member of the band.cite web|url= http://metalassault.com/Interviews/082911_Firewind.php |title=Firewind: In-depth Interview With Gus G (Audio) |publisher=Metalassault.com |date=2011-08-29 |accessdate=2011-09-14
Few Against Many
Gus G has said that the band will record their next album in December and January and hope to release it next spring.cite web|url= http://www.hailsandhorns.com/interview/gus-g-of-firewind-talks-about-future-plans-with-ozzy-lack-of-free-time-and-how-he-could-never-flip-burgers/|title=gus-g-of-firewind-talks-about-future-plans-with-ozzy-lack-of-free-time-and-how-he-could-never-flip-burgers
Firewind is currently in the studio for there upcoming 7th album, Jo Nunez has joined the session as drummer, they are currently in Valve Studio in Greece.cite web|url= http://www.youtube.com/watch? feature=player_embedded& v=_DB1q7M7b2I/|title=Firewind studio diary
Firewind has played 2 Greek headlining shows in January where 2 new songs where premiered "Wall Of Sound" and "Losing My Mind", and at the Athens gig they filmed a video clip for "Wall Of Sound" http://www.youtube.com/watch? feature=player_embedded& v=VratJYXZuYs |Wall of Sound played live
The band has been confirmed for the Summer Breeze Festival and the Masters Of Rock festival. http://www.firewind.gr/2008/tour.html
Early 2012 Firewind and Century Media have announced that; Firewind has resigned with the label and that they will be releasing the new album titled " Few Against Many " spring 2012. Also Firewinds second album will be re-released throughout Japan with 2 bonus tracks in February 2012. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=168188
Band members
; Current members (as of 2011)
Gus G. – lead guitar (1998–present)
Petros Christo doulidis – bass (2003–present)
Bob Katsionis – rhythm guitar, keyboards (2004–present)
Melody and Power (Massacre Records compilation album)|Melody and Power Massacre Records compilation (2002)
Century Media Records : Covering 20 Years of Extreme (2008)
Singles
2006: " Falling to Pieces (Firewind song)|Falling to Pieces " Greece #11
2007: " Breaking the Silence (Firewind song)|Breaking the Silence " (Guest vocals by Tara Teresa) Greece #16
2008: " Mercenary Man " Greece #5 http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm ifpi.gr greek singles chart page, Cited 4 April 2008
2010: " World on Fire (Firewind song)|World on Fire "
2011: " Embrace The Sun "
Music videos
2003: "I Am the Anger"
2004: "The Fire and The Fury"
2005: "Tyranny"
2006: "Falling to Pieces"
2007: "Breaking the Silence"
2008: "Mercenary Man"
2008: "Head Up High"
2010: "World on Fire"
2011: "Embrace the Sun"
DVDs
2008: " Live Premonition "
Notes
Reflist
External links
http://www.firewind.gr Official Website
http://themetaljudgement.com/2010/10/29/firewind-days-of-defiance-review/ Review of "Days of Defiance" on Metal Judgement
Firewind Category:Firewind Category:Greek power metal musical groups Category:Musical groups established in 1998 Category:Century Media Records artists
