Blade

Founded in 1988 by Dimitrios Giannopoulos (guitars), Filippos Giannakis (guitarist) and Kostas Gagalis (bass – BLACK JUJU, DENIAL PRICE), Kozani’s BLADE played energetic, mildy progressive Heavy/Power metal in the classic US vein. By the time of their sole demo tape “A Lifetime” (1992), the lineup had been completed with the great Panos Dimitrou (BLACK JUJU, DENIAL PRICE, IN VAIN, etc.) on vocals and Kostas Ketoglidis (DENIAL PRICE) behind the drumset. “A Lifetime” will surely resonate with fans of the style, especially those who enjoy more dark-tinted acts such as DEAD CALM or ZIONS ABYSS (Panos D actually sounds a bit like Z.A.’s Klaus Whissel).

Following BLADE’s split-up, both Kostas G and Kostas K as well as Panos would take part in the reformation of the legendary Larissan Progressive Metal act DENIAL PRICE. Hence, all three of them are featured on DENIAL PRICE’s “Demo II” (1994), which eventually reached wider circulation when it was reissued on CD in remixed form as “Farewell Within Remains” (2000). As for today, Phanos and Kostas G still play together, now in the more Doom/Stoner-oriented BLACK JUJU.

15 years after its original release, “A Lifetime” at last resurfaced as a limited run CD in 2007 by the otherwise unknown AnMa label.

Compilation appearances: