Dimitris Katis (Δημήτρης Κατής)

Definitely one of the central figures of early Greek Heavy Metal (and so much more), Dimitris Katis pioneered not only the use of the Greek language in the framework of Heavy Metal music as the founder, composer and guitarist of EXORISTOI, but was arguably the first artist in Hellas to perform fully-fledged Epic Heavy Metal. And judging by the unprecedented platinum-level sales figure of EXORISTOI’s self-titled debut album (over 70 000 copies sold), he did it with both artistic and commercial success. Yet, this is only one part of the story of Dimitris Katis. In addition to his ongoing work with EXORISTOI (for more info on this legendary group, please visit their band page elsewhere on this site), Dimitris Katis has composed a vast musical catalogue that by far exceeds the boundaries of Heavy Metal, while always retaining the epic/romantic/bombastic mindset and scope of our beloved genre.

In 1987, two years before the release of EXORISTOI’s debut album and at the almost unbelievable age of 16, Katis issued his first work as a solo artist under the grandiose title “Δωριείς "Επιστροφή στη Γή" (“Dorieís "Epistrofí sti Gí"” / ”Dorians ”Return to Earth””). A bold musical statement with symphonic qualities – written and orchestrated by Katis who also plays guitar on the album – ” Δωριείς…” defies easy categorization, spanning several genres such as Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Ambient/Electronic, Modern Classical and more. Still, this multi-sectional, narrative-driven work manages to hold together much by grace of the underlying artistic vision and through an almost cinematic quality, similar to the works of Katis’ fellow countryman Vangelis Papathanassiou in the 1970s.

While working on ” Δωριείς…”, Katis was – quite naturally given the properties of the work in question – obliged to find additional musicians to be able to complete his vision. The “scouting mission” took place at the National Conservatory in Athens where Katis were studying at the time and at other related facilities. Several of these musicians would eventually end as members of the earliest incarnation of EXORISTOI, including Michalis Zagoraios (guitars), Nikos Massios (bass), Panos Vasilopoulos (drums) and Takis Kyriazis (keyboards). Another important individual in the early days of the band was Jenny Stralla, who aided Katis in the lyrical department.

Together with above-mentioned rhythm guitarist Michalis Zagoraios, Katis began searching for a suitable singer for EXORISTOI – a band that, according to Katis himself, had been formed by the guitarist in a basement in Vrilissia in 1989. They eventually ended up with Christos Avramis as vocalist, and the rest is history. In many ways, “Εξόριστοι” (1989) can be viewed as a natural progression – or perhaps recalibration and narrowing – of ”Δωριείς…”. Unlike the music heard on Katis’ debut LP, EXORISTOI is obviously a band dealing with in Heavy Metal/Hard Rock, yet it retains much of the previous works’ underlying harmonic/melodic properties and, to a large proportion, its epic/bombastic scope. Despite (or perhaps because of) its innovative and daring approach, “Εξόριστοι” interestingly enough became, as mentioned above, a commercial success. The EMI-released LP sold in massive quantities and the metallic ballad “Κάνω μια ευχή” even became something of a hit in Greece, laying the groundwork for EXORISTOI’s career which to date includes six full-length albums (one of them being a live LP recorded in Belgrade, Serbia during full-scale civil war).

Parallel to his work with EXORISTOI, Katis as kept creating and releasing music as a solo-artist/composer, doing what some would refer to as “serious” music. His solo-catalogue is quite expansive, but among the many releases we find for example “Night on the Murs” (1996), “Epic Drama”, a tonal adaption of Euripides classic tragedy “Bacches” as well as a performance piece entitled “Story of a Hero” (2012). His creative efforts has even earned him international recognition, winning several rewards as well as being honored a star on Hollywood’s walk of fame.

All of the above doesn’t imply that Katis career was served to him on a bed of roses though. Perhaps out of jealousy, incomprehension or just plain malice, some cliques in the domestic Metal press were rather hard on EXORISTOI back in the late-1980s/early-1990s. Similar actions have occurred in other cases where Metal/Hard Rock artists from various countries have chosen to perform in their native tongue, so that might also be part of the explanation. None of this reflects negatively on the artist however, and neither does it seem to have kept Katis from pursuing an illustrious career. As for the future, Katis seems be keeping busy with both his solo-work and EXORISTOI, so hopefully much of the saga is yet to be unfolded.

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