Celestial Ode

CELESTIAL ODE was a promising Heavy/Power act formed in Athens back in 1996 by guitarist duo Dionisis Koutis (guitars, bass, backing vocals) and Themis Gourlis (guitars, backing vocals – FORTRESS UNDER SIEGE). It would take few more years before the band extended to a trio with the recruitment of the prolific wailer Manos Xanthakis (vocals – ALPHASTATE, AGNOSIA, BLAZON, SOVEREIGN, etc.). A number of gigs followed before the band were ready to produce their debut recording at Power Studios in the summer of 2000, with the assistance of Giannis Petris on session drums.

The resulting EP, “Celestial Ode” (2001), contained five tracks of forceful, slightly modernized Heavy/Power Metal reminiscent of “Painkiller”-era JUDAS PRIEST and 1990s USPM. Being a fully satisfying debut, which sympathetically enough was handed out for free to anyone interested, CELESTIAL ODE received positive response from the press and allegedly proceeded to record songs for a follow-up album. They also did some gigs with both domestic and international acts like AIRGED L’AHM and HELSTAR in the following years.

No album appeared however, yet CELESTIAL ODE continued playing and gigging for several years to come and went through some member changes along the way – especially on the drummer position. Unfortunately, the band was eventually put to rest by core members Dionisis and Themis around 2016. On a positive note, anyone who’s interested in acquiring the self-titled EP (which was according to the band limited to 1000 copies) can still find it for an affordable price on the second-hand market.

Compilation appearances:
* Hellenic Forces Compilation Vol. 1 [CDr, Comp: Self-released (Hellenic Forces Fanzine), 2004]