Demise

Formed in the city of Lamia in 1992, DEMISE was among the minority of early-1990s Greek bands who chose the path of classic Thrash Metal rather than the more popular sounds of Black- and Death Metal. While occasionally operating as a quartet, the core of the band was a trio consisting of Loukas Stivaktas (vocals, guitars), Telis “E.M.W.” Kafkas (bass, backing vocals) and Efthimis Tsakonitis (drums, backing vocals) – all of whom were also playing together in the Black Metal band MACABRE OPERETTA and Telis’ melodic Heavy Metal-oriented side-project TELIS E.M.W.

During their first incarnation (1992-1999), DEMISE recorded at least five demo tapes filled to the brim with old school evil Thrash in the German school of DESTRUCTION, KREATOR and SODOM (maybe just a little bit of POSSESSED thrown in as well). However, DEMISE should not be lumped in with the so-called retro-Thrash movement of the mid/late-1990s. These guys were paying their dues way before old school Thrash became a thing among Black Metal musicians.

Their earliest works “Parvus Mondus” (1993), “Joining the Dead” (1994) and “…Thrashed!!!” (1995 – re-recorded in 1996 under the very similar title “…Thrashed…”) are all worth pursuing if you’re into the old Teutonic bands. The highlight of this era would probably be the 1996 rerecording, as it features the best songs and most spirited/precise performance by the band. There’s also an unreleased demo entitled “Fear of Rejection” (1997) available via the band’s official Youtube channel, which with its more progressive approach differs somewhat from their previous works.

After calling it quits in the late-1990s DEMISE took a lengthy break, but was resurrected in 2014. We’re not sure if there was ever any new material recorded though, and with the sad passing of Loukas Stivaktas (RIP) in 2020, the future of the band remains unsure. Still, their legacy remains as as a listenable post-1980s contribution to the classic German Thrash formula, and we wish the guys all the best of luck in their future endeavours.

PS. Don’t forget to check out the recording of the band performing live in 1996 at the Athenian AN Club (also available via the band’s YT channel – pure Thrash magic.

Compilation appearances:
* Never to Rise Again [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Self-released, 1995]
* Thrash Metal [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Heavy – Rock Tapes, 1995]
* Μεταλλικά Όργια #3 – Stone Free… [Cass, Comp: Self-released, ?]