Firewind

Firewind formed in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1998, with guitarist Gus G. at the center. Their debut album 'Between Heaven And Hell' came out in 2002, establishing their melodic power metal sound. The band's lineup has shifted over time, with vocalist Chritus Antoniou leaving in 2003 and Apollo Papathanasio taking over.

Songs like 'Maniac' and 'Rise From The Ashes' show their approach: heavy riffs, clean vocals, and Gus G.'s guitar work. They've released several albums including 'Allegiance' in 2006 and 'Immortals' in 2017, staying within the European power metal tradition rather than chasing trends.

In 2009, there was some noise about 'Maniac' possibly containing an unauthorized sample, but it didn't seem to slow them down much. They've kept recording and touring, mostly with a steady lineup of Greek and European musicians around Gus G.'s guitar playing.