BozKiller > Hi Gus! Well I've taken a look at last year releases, and I've found at least 4 albums where you were credited, for MYSTIC PROPHECY, FIREWIND, OLD MAN´S CHILD and NIGHTRAGE. That's incredible!!! How do you achieve that?
Gus > Thanx!!! You also forgot the DREAM EVIL releases "Evilized" and the Mini CD. Actually, I recorded the Dream Evil and Nightrage CDs at the same studio one after the other. In Nightrage I only played a few solos, after I finished my work with DE. The Mystic prophecy album was recorded back in 2002. It took us one and a half year to sign with the right label and release the album, so that was another year's recording. Regarding Old man's Child, I just happened to be around the studio when they were recording and did a couple of solos in 15 minutes. The Firewind recording pretty much took about 3 months as we recorded it in different parts of the world.
BozKiller > Do I have forgotten other of your releases or at least other bands you played in (and not restraint to last year)?
Gus > Well, like I said the Dream Evil album and Mini CD releases, as well as my guest solo on Rob Rock's highly acclaimed album "Eyes of Eternity".
BozKiller > The 2 first questions were to fix the kind of man you are. I can say that you´re a non stop worker! Where do these energy and inspiration come from, any idea? Does the fact that the greek Metal scene exploded in the 90ies helped or motivated
Gus > Thanx!! I guess u can say I'm a workaholic. I'm a very energetic person and I get inspiration from the really gifted musicians I work with in all my bands. It really motivates me to continue working with this rhythm. Another main inspiration that leads me to work like this, is the fans. I see a very positive response from people on a global level and they love what I do. That really inspires me to make more great music.
BozKiller > As a teenager what were you influences? Certainly, Malmsteen and other guitar-heroes gave you the "sacred fire"? But such influences remind more to solo album that band albums, have you never thought of doing a solo album, with or without sing
Gus > Of course Yngwie was a big influence, as well as Michael Schenker and Uli Roth. I used to be an instrumentalist when I started out, but the moment I added vocals to my music, I never went back to instrumentals. To me it's very important to write great songs and in order to do that, u need great vocal lines and a great singer. With Firewind I always include an instrumental, cause I still find it cool to give a little something "guitar special".
I've had offers to do a solo album, but I'm focusing so much on Firewind right now. I think I might do it in a few years from now.
BozKiller > For the first FIREWIND album ("Between Heaven and Hell"), you used to work by exchanging ideas with Stephen Fredrick (through tape trading, or alike), you in Greece, Stephen in the US. The result was really interesting. Did you work again like
Gus > Yes, we worked like that for the new CD. I know it's an unorthodox way to do it, but the truth is that we really sound like we've been playing for years together. We had a very good chemistry with Stephen.
BozKiller > And in such process do you use a lot of internet, computer, MP3 etc to facilitate the exchanges?Can I say that such medium can facilitate, and moreover that without it it won't be possible?
Gus > Not really. I just sent him CDs with the music and he recorded his parts and sent it back to me. It took a little more than normal, to get everything done.
BozKiller > How can you explain that you have, are, and certainly will, work for so many bands, while finally, FIREWIND is your only own "baby"? Is that for recognition, money, pleasure, music, or maybe a bit of all these elements?
Gus > You can say that it's a little bit of both. I'm the kind of person that has to feel comfortable in the band environment and I have really close relationships with all my bandmates. So, I love to work with all of them and I feel happy that way. Of course music is also a full time job for me right now and I also need to pay the bills somehow.
BozKiller > As most of your releases are Heavy Speed Metal oriented, how do you explain your works for NIGHTRAGE (more Sweden Death Metal oriented) and OLD MAN´S CHILD (Black Metal oriented)? And what is your favourite style? Or maybe you're just a Metal
Gus > Yeah, I'm a metal freak hehe!! I like all good heavy metal music, doesn't matter what style it is. I really like some black metal sounds and Old Man's Child is definitely one of my favourites. I also think that Marios from Nightrage has an amazing guitar and songwriting style and it was always one of my dreams to play with him.
BozKiller > What are the most impressive bands you've listened to lately?
Gus > Propably The Darkness. They really rock and have amazing songs and a unique singer.
BozKiller > I'm deviating from my personal questions to go on other subjects such as : Your opinion of the Metal Scene nowadays? Would you say that there are too much bands everywhere? Listeners are a bit lost with so many releases, no?
Gus > I totally agree with you!!! There's too many bands in our league nowadays and I know that the people are confused and cannot buy everything. That's why it's so hard for a band to survive in the business these days. You really need to have something special in ur songs that will touch people and make them buy your CD.
BozKiller > Your opinion on SEPTIC FLESH, which is my all time favourite Greek band :D, what about their split?
I'm also a fan of Septic Flesh and they're good friends of mine. I think they have made some great albums like Esoptron and Ophidian Wheel. It's sad that they split, but at least they left a few good albums behind them.
BozKiller > Are you still living in Greece, or have you moved to, for example Sweden, (near Fredman studio would be a good idea no?), in order to save travel time :) ?
Gus > I did live in Sweden, near Fredman for a few years. Last year I moved back home to Thessaloniki, Greece where I'm from. I travel a lot most of the year, but it feels really good to be at home in my free time. I feel much more relaxed here and it gives me a lot of inspiration.
BozKiller > How was the tour with DREAM EVIL? And does the last album "Evilized" well received?
Gus > The tour with Hammerfall was one of our best moments. I think the band reached a bigger status after this tour and "Evilized" reached higher sales than 'Dragonslayer". Our Japan tours have also been a big highlight.
BozKiller > Well Gus, for my first contact with you I hope not having been to boring, and too classical in my questions :D (certainly did you have to reply to some of these plenty of times before... sorry :) ). That´s why I let you finish this interview w
Gus > I want to thank you for the very cool interview. I can assure u that it was not boring at all and I had fun answering your cool questions!!! Thanx for ur support and I hope to see u in France on tour soon! Stay METAL!
Gus.
http://www.firewind.gr/