Dream Devoid

DREAM DEVOID was a progressive-oriented power metal band from Athens, created in 1996 by Liberis Tsabras (guitars – GRACE OF DESPAIR) and Panos Argyriou (bass) – who allegedly got in touch via an advertisement in the Greek Metal Hammer. In the following months, the duo was joined by Dimitris Zalahoris (vocals) Akis Triantafillou (guitars), yet still missing a drummer. Still, the band managed to enter Feedback Studios (Athens) to record their first demo tape “Nebulous” (1997), with the assistance of DISHARMONY-drummer Kostas Agouras as a session member.

A very promising proposal, “Nebulous” featured four tracks (an intro and four songs proper) of blistering yet progressive and melodically-inclined power metal with furious instrumental handling, high-pitched theatrical vocals and a high degree of individual song memorability. The second track, called “Consequent Sins”, became something of a minor underground hit (it was for example featured on Metal Invader’s widely distributed “Warzone”-series), earning the band some well-deserved exposure.

Following the demo’s release, DREAM DEVOID finally found themselves a permanent drummer in Fotis “Benardo” Giannakopoulos (drums – INNERWISH, NIGHTFALL, NECROMANTIA, SEPTIC FLESH and many more…), who later went on to play with some of the most recognized metal acts Greece has to offer. Moreover, the line-up was further extended with the addition of keyboardist Panagiotis Milonas (keyboards – CANDLELIGHT ILLUSIONS) – something which would make a decisive impact on the band’s sound in the future.

Except for a few notices related to concert performances (including a gig at the Metal Invader-festival) and the arrival of the band’s new vocalist Dimitris Zalahoris, we don’t really know what took place during the next five years (military service, perhaps?), but at last in 2002 DREAM DEVOID presented their debut full-length album on the native Steel Gallery-label. Well, technically speaking more of an EP with six new songs + the “Nebulous”-demo in its entirety, but either way it was a nice move to include the old songs as the demo is not that easy to come by. The CD, entitled “Aeons of Forgetfulness” (2002), saw DREAM DEVOID move deeper into the progressive field, with more convoluted song structures and an overall thicker sonic texture through the aforementioned addition of keyboards.

Although many years has now passed since the release of “Aeons…”, the band has apparently stayed active (proof being old concert advertisements, among other things) and also conducted several more rotations in the line-up. There was also some talk about new songs being composed and recorded as promotional items, but whether there’s any possibility for future releases is better left unsaid. We can always hope!

Compilation appearances:
* Warzone 2 [CD, Comp: Metal Invader, 1998]