Black Fate

Along with the bigshot nations like the United States or Germany, Greece was one of the hot cauldrons for 1980s-styled Progressive Power Metal in the early-to-mid-1990s. Among the host of upcoming bands was Larissa’s BLACK FATE. Unlike many of their domestic colleagues, BLACK FATE was able to go beyond the demo stage, releasing several full-lengths albums and going strong to this day.

The band was formed in 1990 under the monicker METAL INVADERS. They started out as a cover band with a revolving member troupe, but a few years down the line the name was changed to BLACK FATE and a stable lineup crystalized with brothers Elias and Nikos Tsintzilonis (guitars and drums respectively) joined by Iraklis Fanarakis (vocals/bass). At some point, they started writing original material and the trio recorded a self-titled debut demo together with George Koufodimos contributing keyboards on a one-time session-basis. Despite being the band’s first offering, “Black Fate” (1992) is a phenomenal release that manage to channel influences from the most glorious bands of the past (FATES WARNING and MANILLA ROAD in particular) into four incredibly catchy yet durable compositions.

A second demo entitled “A Piece of a Dream” followed in 1993, once again featuring the same core lineup plus the addition of full-time keyboardist Georgos Maravgakis as well as bassist Giannis Theologis – allowing Iraklis Fanarakis to focus exclusively on his vocal performance. This sophomore effort saw the band adopt more of a contemporary 1990s-sounding progressive style: heavier guitars, more technical and convoluted song structures, etc. In some ways, it is also darker in atmosphere and less immediately catchy than its predecessor. Whether you prefer “Black Fate” or “A Piece…”, both tapes are thoroughly consistent and possess a certain charm that seems impossible to emulate today. Not surprisingly, these demos are not easy to come by these days, but thankfully the band decided to rerelease them as a compilation CD, also entitled “A Piece of a Dream” (2003). While hardly sold at your local supermarket, it’s relatively easy to find and not too brutal on the wallet.

As mentioned above, BLACK FATE’s career would expand well beyond their 1990s demo-period with each new release offering something new to the table. This will be dealt with in these pages eventually, so stay tuned!

Compilation appearances:
* Power Feast Vol. 2 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released (Mass Dementia Zine), 1993]
* The Omen [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Heavy – Rock Tapes, 1994]
* Power Feast Vol. 3 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released (Mass Dementia Zine), 1994]
* Metal Mass Compilation Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1994]
* Horse City Rocks Collection 1995 [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1995]
* Underground Tapes Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp: Underground Tapes, 1995?]
* Shock from the Underground [CD, Comp: Sirrah Productions, 2003]
* Greece Attacks – The Next Assault [2CD, Comp: Sound & Vision, 2004]
* A Tribute to 1984 [CD, Comp: Metal Hammer & Heavy Metal, 2014]
* Epicus Nightmare Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released, ?]
* Metal Animation Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released, ?]