Sorrowful Angels

Last updated

Sorrowful Angels
Origin Athens, Greece
Genres Gothic metal [1]
Years active1999–present
Labels Rock of Angels Records, Warner, Sleaszy Rider, Black Lotus
MembersDionisis Christodoulatos
Nikolas Perlepe
Johny Litinakis
Stelios Pavlou
Past membersSee list of Sorrowful Angels former members
Website www.sorrowfulangels.com

Sorrowful Angels is a Greek gothic metal band.

Early days (1999–2002)

Originally formed in 1999, the band soon started to land gigs in the Greek underground club scene presenting their initial atmospheric material and gradually making a name for themselves.

Contents

Until 2002, they manage to land some more high-profile gigs, most notably the Chania Rock Festival in Crete where they shared the stage with Anathema, U.D.O., Crossover and Deviser. [2] Soon after, the band signed with Black Lotus Records and was about to release its debut album but while in the process of the recordings, the label declared bankruptcy and all announced titles were on hold indefinitely. The band shortly decided to split up.

Reunion and Ship in Your Trip (2008–2010)

During December 2008 Sorrowful Angels announced a reunion after signing a record deal with Greek label Sleaszy Rider Records with a new lineup. [3] They entered CFN Recordings Studio and recorded their debut album called "Ship in Your Trip". [4] The self-financed album was engineered, mixed and produced by Dion. Additionally, Mike Galiatsos (Snowblind, Nightfall) made a guest appearance in "How To Lose A Star". Along with the recordings, a video clip of the song "Denial" directed by Bob Katsionis (Firewind) was made for the promotion of the album. [5] Soon after the band started gigging around Greece along with TV appearances promoting their work. [6]

In April 2009, the band was handpicked by Klaus Meine (Scorpions) to enter the final round of the Scorpions Contest held in Greece. The band performed in the Scorpions Contest Finals in front of Klaus Meine and other notable figures of the music industry along with Secret Illusion and Spitfire. [7]

Later that year, a special EP containing 5 tracks out of the debut album was made and packaged along with Metal Hammer’s (Gr) October issue giving the band extensive promotion. Within the same month an official statement was published that drummer Dimitris Stamatis was not a member of Sorrowful Angels anymore due to personal reasons. His replacement was Fivos Andriopoulos (Saddolls).

Breakup with Sleaszy Rider Label

In January 2010, the band announced that they would no longer continue with Sleaszy Rider Records and that for the remaining promotional period for "Ship In Your Trip", the band would continue independed.

In April 2010, they were chosen as the opening act for Katatonia's two shows in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece during their "New Night Over Europe Tour". Norwegian band Sirenia was also included in these 2 shows. [8] More shows followed in Greece, including these with Rotting Christ at Volos Golden R. Festival. [9]

Omens (2011–2013)

During October 2010 it was announced that vocalist Kostas Katikos was leaving the band and that the remaining members would continue as a quartet. Guitarist, Dion Christodoulatos takes over the frontman duties from that point. [10]

A couple of months before the release of their upcoming album, a free downloadable EP, named the Omens EP was distributed on the net for promotional purposes. The EP included among others Code 64's cover "Deviant" which was recorded on request of the band, and was also included on their "Deviant" single EP [11]

From October to December 2010, Sorrowful Angels entered their personal CFN Recordings Studio once again, and recorded their second album, called "Omens". It was released by Warner in December 2011 [12]

Shortly afterwards they were chosen to open Paradise Lost’s show in Athens on their Draconian Times Anniversary Tour and present their new material live. [13]

During winter of 2012, "Omens Over Greece Tour" took place, and the band performed many shows throughout Greece, promoting their new album. [14]

As a conclusion of the tour, 2 final shows were announced supporting Moonspell during their "Alpha Noir / Omega White Tour" in September 2012. A free digital promo EP was released during summer of 2012, named "Reborn : A Tribute to Moonspell". Three Moonspell songs were re-recorded by Sorrowful Angels (Luna, Nocturna, Scorpion Flower), featuring performances by Gogo Melone (Luna Obscura), Spyla Dibela (Fallen Arise), George Downloved (Saddolls),

Paul Di'Anno tours, projects and departures (2013–2014)

During 2013, Dionisis Christodoulatos became a live member of Classical, Opera and Vocal Orchestra "Chaostar" (consisting of members of Septic Flesh), taking over piano and keyboard duties in the band.

Later the same year, the band announce their first tour with Paul Di'Anno. Between 2013 and 2014, Sorrowful Angels toured extensively in Greece and the Balkans with Di'Anno as both his band and support group. During the second tour bassist Ilias Bouzeas, left and Johny Litinakis took over. [15]

During winter of 2014, the band announced a special unplugged gig organized by Trailblazer Records, where frontman, Dion Christodoulatos, would play for the first time the piano instead of electric guitar. For the promotion of this project, the band released in January, an acoustic version of "Omens" song as a digital video single. [16] [17] [18]

In July 2014, Sorrowful Angels Participated at Italy's Total Metal Festival along with Kreator, Behemoth and Decapitated among others. [19]

Shortly after they are requested by Metal Hammer GR, to record a cover of Pink Floyd's "Time" from The Dark Side of the Moon . The track was part of "Landing on the Dark Side of the Moon" album, essentially a tribute to The Dark Side of the Moon. [20]

On 15 November, Sorrowful Angels opened for Diary of Dreams in Athens. This was the last live performance of drummer Chris Stratigos with the band. A few weeks later, the band used footage from that show combined with new audio recordings and released an official videoclip called "Suicidal Manners (Revisited)". This was the first single under their new label Rock of Angels Records. [21]

Remedie (2015–present)

In 2015, Sorrowful Angels announced their signing with Rock of Angels Records (Roar) to release their third full-length album, entitled Remedie. The official release date was set for October 2015. [22] Two dates were announced to present their new material live, before its release. September 4 at Rock on The Beach Festival and September 6 supporting Bonfire. [23]

Line-up

Current

Former members (studio, session and live)

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Videography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manowar</span> American heavy metal band from New York

Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York. Formed in 1980, the group is known for lyrics based on fantasy and mythology, as well as numerous songs celebrating the genre and its core audience. The band is also known for a loud and emphatic sound. In an interview for MTV in February 2007, bassist Joey DeMaio lamented that "these days, there's a real lack of big, epic metal that is drenched with crushing guitars and choirs and orchestras... so it's nice to be one of the few bands that's actually doing that". In 1984, the band was included in the Guinness Book of World Records for delivering the loudest performance, a record which they have since broken on two occasions. They also hold the world record for the longest heavy metal concert after playing for five hours and 1 minute in Bulgaria in 2008. They also have been known for their slogan "Death to false metal".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lacuna Coil</span> Italian gothic metal band

Lacuna Coil is an Italian gothic metal band from Milan. Since their formation in 1994, the group has had two name changes, being previously known as Sleep of Right and Ethereal, and they have recorded nine studio albums, two extended plays, two live albums, two compilation albums, one video album, and sixteen singles and music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moonspell</span> Portuguese gothic metal band

Moonspell is a Portuguese gothic metal band formed in 1992. The group released their first EP, Under the Moonspell, in 1994 and followed up with their debut album, Wolfheart, a year later. They quickly became the most recognizable metal band from Portugal and a key figure in gothic metal. Fernando Ribeiro is co-founder, singer and songwriter of the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">At the Gates</span> Swedish melodic death metal band

At the Gates is a Swedish death metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990. The band was a major progenitor of Gothenburg-style melodic death metal alongside In Flames and Dark Tranquillity. Prior to their first disbandment in 1996, At the Gates released four albums, ending with and including Slaughter of the Soul (1995), which has been seen as a landmark in the mid-1990s Swedish death metal scene. After reuniting for a one-off tour in 2008, the band reformed once again in 2011, and they have since released three more albums: At War with Reality (2014), To Drink from the Night Itself (2018) and The Nightmare of Being (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rotting Christ</span> Greek metal band

Rotting Christ is a Greek black metal band formed in 1987. They are noted for being one of the first black metal bands within this region, as well as a premier act within the European underground metal scene. They are also responsible for creating the signature Greek black metal sound prevalent in the early 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Testament (band)</span> American thrash metal band

Testament is an American thrash metal band from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1983 under the name Legacy, the band's current lineup comprises rhythm guitarist Eric Peterson, lead vocalist Chuck Billy, lead guitarist Alex Skolnick, bassist Steve Di Giorgio and drummer Chris Dovas. Testament has experienced many lineup changes over the years, with Peterson being the only remaining original member, though they have since reunited with Skolnick, who had been out of the band from 1992 to 2005. Billy has been a member of Testament since 1986, when he replaced original singer Steve "Zetro" Souza, who had left to replace the late Paul Baloff in Exodus. He and Peterson are the only members to appear on all of Testament's studio albums, with the latter being the only constant member overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waldemar Sorychta</span> Polish record producer and musician

Waldemar Sorychta is a Polish heavy metal record producer and musician who has lived in Germany since 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Katsionis</span> Musical artist

Babis "Bob" Katsionis is a Greek guitarist and keyboardist and the lead guitarist and keyboard player for the heavy metal/power metal bands Stray Gods, Warrior Path, Outloud, and Serious Black; until recently he was part of Firewind but as of 2020 he has since left due to personal reasons. He is the only musician to ever win the same category "Best Keyboardist" in Greek Metal Hammer's Annual Readers' Polls for 5 years in a row (2006–2011). He is founder of Progressive Vision Group, a videoclip making company, which has produced more than 230 videos for rock and metal artists since 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Spiders</span> English rock band

Black Spiders are an English rock band based in Sheffield, England. Their third studio album entered the UK Rock Chart reaching No. 9. re-entering again at No. 28, after Record Store Day

Fury UK is an English heavy metal band based in Manchester, England. Between 2007 and 2012 the band played a series of important festival appearances such as Bloodstock Open Air and Hammerfest in the UK, and Prog Power Metal Festival in Belgium, toured extensively with some of the biggest names such as Saxon, Iced Earth and Michael Schenker. Meanwhile, the band released three albums, one EP and one DVD. The band received plenty of critical praise, not least from renowned music writer Dom Lawson in his review of 3rd album 'A Way of Life' for Classic Rock magazine. In May 2012 the band went on long term hiatus when bassist Luke Appleton was recruited by American heavy metal band Iced Earth, following which Fury UK members Chris Appleton and Martin McNee formed a new band called Absolva, announcing their debut album 'Flames of Justice'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maxi Nil</span> Greek singer (born 1981)

Maxi Nil is a Greek singer, and currently as of 6 December 2013, the lead singer of her new project Jaded Star. Maxi is best known for her work as lead vocalist in the Austrian symphonic metal band Visions of Atlantis from mid 2009 to late 2013. In 2003 she joined the Greek metal band On Thorns I Lay and in the same year she also joined the band Elysion as both a singer and a songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suicidal Angels</span> Greek thrash metal band

Suicidal Angels are a Greek thrash metal band formed in 2001 in Athens, Greece, by guitarist/vocalist and main songwriter Nick Melissourgos. Since its inception, the band has released seven studio albums, and has gone through several line-up changes leaving Melissourgos as the only constant member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saddolls</span> Greek gothic metal band

Saddolls is a Greek gothic metal band formed in 2006 as a cover band. After a few live performances, the band recorded the EP Dead in the Dollhouse in 2007, gaining positive reviews from the press. In April 2008, the band was the support act for Lacrimas Profundere's gig in Athens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crossfaith</span> Japanese metalcore band

Crossfaith is a Japanese metalcore band from Osaka that was formed in 2006, which currently consists of vocalist Kenta Koie, guitarists Kazuki Takemura and Daiki Koide, drummer Tatsuya Amano, and keyboardist Terufumi Tamano. They are characterized by performing a style of metalcore with dubstep and other forms of electronic music influences, and for their intense live performances.

Savage Grace is an American power and speed metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by Chris Logue and Brian East, initially active between 1981 and 1993. They reformed in 2009, and subsequently released an EP entitled The Lost Grace. In 2010, they performed at the Up the Hammers, Bang Your Head!!! and Keep It True festivals.

Seduce the Heaven is a Greek melodic death/power metal band from Athens.

The Silent Wedding is a heavy metal band which was formed in Athens, Greece in 2006. The band is currently signed to FYB Records (Belgium). To date, they have released an EP, a single and three full-length albums. They have played live concerts supporting various bands such as Firewind, Fates Warning, Visions of Atlantis and Maiden uniteD.

<i>Omens</i> (Sorrowful Angels album) 2012 studio album by Sorrowful Angels

Omens is the second album of the band Sorrowful Angels. It was recorded between October and December 2012. All music and lyrics are credited to Dion Christodoulatos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Night Demon (band)</span> American heavy metal band

Night Demon is an American heavy metal band from Ventura, California. Performing as a power trio, the band is among several bands participating in the resurgence of traditional, old-school heavy metal in the 2010s. Night Demon has released three studio albums on independent record labels plus a live concert album and regularly performs at heavy metal festivals worldwide.

Tuber is an instrumental rock band formed in Crete, Greece, but currently located in Serres, Greece. Since its formation, the band has consisted of siblings Nikos Gerostathos (drums) and Yannis Gerostathos (guitar), and Paris Fragkos. Yannis Artzoglou (guitar) joined the trio later on.

References

  1. "Sorrowful Angels - Biography". Metal Storm. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  2. "Chania Rock Festival 2002". Altars Of Metal.com. 17 August 2002. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  3. "SORROWFUL ANGELS / NEW SIGNING van Sleaszy Rider Records op Myspace". Myspace.com. 24 January 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  4. "Sorrowful Angels - Ship In Your Trip review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  5. "SORROWFUL ANGELS: 'Denial' Video Posted Online". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  6. "News > SORROWFUL ANGELS - New Video Interview Available". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  7. "Συναυλίες-Κριτικές - 2nd Scorpions Fest Finals - Αρχιτεκτονική". Rockpages.gr. 21 May 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  8. "Katatonia, Sirenia, Sorrowful Angels, Daylight Misery". Greekrebels.gr. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  9. "green-e.gr". Yougles.com. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  10. "SORROWFUL ANGELS Parts Ways With Singer". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  11. "Sorrowful Angels Offering Download Of "Omens" EP - in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  12. ""Omens" Ο Τιτλοσ Του Νεου Cd Των Sorrowful Angels : Music Mash". Musicmash.gr. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  13. "Paradise Lost live σε Αθήνα και Θεσσαλονίκη, 18-20/03/11". Rocking.gr. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  14. ""Omens over Greece" tour από τους Sorrowful Angels και E1EN". www.rocking.gr. Retrieved 22 September 2012.
  15. "Rock Overdose - News - PAUL DI ANNO μαζί με SORROWFUL ANGELS σε περιοδεία στη χώρα μας". Archived from the original on 9 August 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2013. Retrieved 2012-9-22
  16. "Omens (Live Acoustic Version) - Single".
  17. "The Trailblazer Unplugged Experiment S01E08 – "Sorrowful Angels" – RockinAthens.gr". 21 January 2014.
  18. "Sorrowful Angels (acoustic)".
  19. "Total Metal Open Air Festival 2014 - All Metal Festivals".
  20. Tragakis, Nikos. "THIS. IS. HAMMER. No. 358 - Metal Hammer".
  21. Tragakis, Nikos. "SORROWFUL ANGELS: "Suicidal Manners (Revisited)" (νέο live video) - Metal Hammer".
  22. "ROCK OF ANGELS Archives - Sorrowful Angels".
  23. "Οι Bonfire ζωντανά στην Αθήνα τον Σεπτέμβριο – RockinAthens.gr".