Disharmony (heavy metal)

Not to be confused with the Athenian Black Metal band bearing the same name, DISHARMONY was founded in 1996 by three Athenians: Yiannis Karousiotis (guitars – GRACE OF DESPAIR), Stelios Mihas (guitars) and Kostas Agouras (drums – GRACE OF DESPAIR, DREAM DEVOID). Soon after, the trio was joined by Chris Kounelis (vocals – SORROWFUL WINDS, etc.). With the assistance of Kostas Tatsis (bass), the band recorded their debut demo entitled “Harmony Realms” (1997) – a very promising release which offered a nice throwback to the dearly familiar sounds of US Heavy/Power metal (SANCTUARY, QUEENSRŸCHE, ICED EARTH) crossed with elements of classic Doom (CANDLEMASS, SOLITUDE AETERNUS). Many were those who took this tape to their hearts, and the band received consistently encouraging words from both the Greek and the international underground press, resulting in the demo track “Temple of Eternity” making it onto Metal Invader’s widely distributed “Warzone” compilation series.

“Harmony Realms” was followed up by a second demo, this time on CD, called “When Purity Withers” (1998). An ambitious work both in terms of music and overall presentation, the CD included 30 minutes of new music, featured very nice artwork and also included their first demo in remastered form. By this time, DISHARMONY had found a permanent bassist in Panagiotis Gatsopoulos (DISSOLVE, URIZEN, etc.). Musically, this sophomore effort moved further into dark and doom-laden territories, but also showed some progressive tendencies with more convoluted and experimental song structuring in correspondence with the lyrical content. As earlier, “When Purity Withers” was favorably received, even though there were some listeners who mourned the passing of their “pure” Heavy/Power days. But DISHARMONY seemed set to develop their music according to their own will and preferences – something which surely earned them respect.

Things seemed to be going really well for the band, but somewhere along the road the usual obstacles facing a young metal band seem to have set in (education, jobs and army service, one would suppose) and the band entered a lengthy period of outward inactivity. During this time, Kostas and Stelios decided to leave the band. However, according to the band’s old website (now defunct), DISHARMONY never really stopped making music even at this period, and once replacements had been found in Stavros Gatsopoulos (guitars – SORROWFUL WINDS, etc.) and Thanos Pappas (drums – OUTLOUD, SCAR OF THE SUN, etc.) the band was back in action, headlining a Rock festival on the island of Syros.

At last, in 2010 DISHARMONY finished their first full-length album entitled “Shades of Insanity” (released in proper album format on Noisehead Records in 2014). This work, as well as the following ones (“The Abyss Noir” in 2017 and “Under the Waves” in 2020) showed the band’s willingness to keep developing their style, with more focus on atmospherics and with some new, modern/Post-Pock influences to complement their fundamental sound.

Compilation appearances:
* Warzone 2 [CD, Comp: Metal Invader, 1998]
* Vibes from Below [CD, Comp: Alone, 1999]
* Greek Masters of Puppets (Tribute to Metallica) [CD, Comp: Metal Hammer & Heavy Metal, 2016]