Symphony From Greece

A few columns ago, I introduced you to Black Fate-a Symphonic Metal group from Greece…below is a little of their story:

Question: Black Fate has an interesting history… Could you briefly bring us up to date on the group’s membership?

Answer: Sure! Black Fate was formed back in 1990 in Larissa Greece. The band released two demos called “Black Fate” and “A Piece of Dream” which earned great reviews from the Greek metal media and the band started playing their first shows. In 2000 after a few line-up changes the band released Its first album called “Uncover” and two years later the two first demos were also re-released together on an album with the title “A Piece of Dream”. In 2007 Nikos Tsintzilonis met Vasilis Georgiou and decided to put Black Fate back on track. They started working on new material and writing new songs for a new album and began to make plans for a new beginning of the band. The result of all this work was the album "Deliverance of Soul" that was released in 2009. After the album release the old line up couldn't follow the bands live obligations and the search for new band members started. Me and Vasilis Liakos joined the band which led to this days line up.

 

Q: Obviously you have been doing a lot of Live Work, when you do. Do you preview some of the new material or do you wait until you finish recording?

A: We have actually played some of the new songs live already yes. We like doing that,rehearsing and playing them live. It’s a good way for us to see how they work and if we need to change anything in them. We don’t want to have parts within songs that we have second thoughts about and I think this is a good way to work.

Q: Speaking of recording, when did you begin work on “Between Visions & Lies”?

A: It was late 2010 I think.

Q: So, with all of the complicated movements within each piece, is it a complicated process in laying everything down?

A: Not really to be honest. We practiced the songs for a while and were ready to go in the studio and record everything well and give it our best!

Q: You are now with a new label…how is that working out?

A: So far so good! We are very happy with our relation with Ulterium Records. The guys know very well how to do their job and we are very very satisfied with how things are working out so far. Emil and the rest of the guys know very well how to promote the album and the band in general!

 

BLACK FATE

“Between Visions & Lies”

(Ulterium Records)

Harkening from Greece, “Black Fate” began back in 1990. The group released a couple of demos,  “Black Fate” and “A Piece Of Dream”, which found favourable reaction in their home country. A  major change in the line-up during the 2000’s saw the group finally releasing their debut full length album, “Uncover” and continued to make headway. As 2007 approached, the group changed their line-up slightly and had a renewal of energy and commitment and saw the release of  “Deliverance of Soul” in 2009. The time came for this group of highly trained and inspired musicians to sit down and start to compose a new collection of heroic music… And they did! “Black Fate” are finally ready to release!  “Between Visions & Lies” is that very album. A classically tinged Heavy Metal collection that rocks! Full of technical expertise and flash, melodic and driving, we experience eleven molten passages that will amaze! The group are also ready to amaze us with taking this album on the road. 2015 should see their collective efforts rise higher and louder. “Black Fate” will be rewarded for all their hard work and determination. “Between Visions & Lies” will make sure of that! BA (90/100)

 

Now, here are a couple groups worth looking in to, and wrapping up your 2014 slate of new music:

 

BLOODBOUND

“Stormborn”

(AFM Records)

Patrik Johansson seems to have fitted in nicely with “Bloodbound”, and this being his third album with them, seems to be flexing his musical muscles a little more aggressively! Of course, this is music that is not for the faint of heart… Both in lyrical content, and the compositions themselves. “Bloodbound” have created a complicated and telling story; with the waves of music creating the cinematic atmosphere of an epic tale that will not fade very quickly. In fact, I’m thinking the group have outdone themselves on this release! Prepare yourselves for a musical journey that is full of drama, aggressive, melodic yet molten and very thought provoking. The musicianship heard here is beyond “10”, the writing and lyrical content is full of emotion and mystery… And the whole of this Recorded Work can be described as Epically Bombastic! It exudes confidence from each and every member to the extent that we are in for some surprises regarding some of the musical elements employed herein. “Bloodbound”; “Stormborn” is setting a high water mark, one that will resonant for a long time to come!

BA

 

WHITE WIDDOW

“Crossfire”

(AOR Heaven)

“Crossfire” marks the third release from these Australian rockers. The record continues where their second ”Serenade” left off. Again, full of huge production, with dominant keyboards and thundering guitars, “Crossfire” has a little more octane in its tank! Yes, the group are still stirring that big AOR Arena Rock style, but this time out, just a little harder edged! What this album has contained within will go a long way in cementing “White Widdow’s rightful place in the skies of Melodic Rock. The guys continue to drive forth giving us a very energetic symphonic, (in places), melodic soundscape.  A musical tapestry filled with up-tempo, heartfelt renderings. With that harder edge, it will be easier for some to take notice, and yes impact the Global AOR charts as well! “Crossfire”, a very solid effort, another plus for the guys that make up “White Widdow”.

BA

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Upcoming Club/Concert Highlights:

The Blue Gator:   Zamboni Brothers:  Dec. 18^th & Dec. 19^th   Jimmy LeGuilloux:  Dec. 19^th & 20^th   Zamboni Brothers:  Dec. 26^th & Dec. 27^th

Dakodas Pub:  New Year’s with Wheelhouse:  Dec. 31^st

Doc Willoughby’s Downtown Pub:   Devon Coyote:  Dec. 19^th

Dream Café:   Taylor Cook Group:  Dec. 20^th    (A Boxing Day Bash)—Poppa Dawg’s Blues Band:-Dec. 26^th    Rann Berry’s Rhythum & Soul Revue:  Dec. 27^th & 28^th

Fernando’s Pub:  Wild Son:  January 2^nd

Flashback’s Nite Club:  Elliott Brood:  Feb. 12^th

Lake City Casino:   

Longhorn Pub (Vernon):  Sunday Night Jam—all musicians welcome!—Hosted by-Rick Zip & The Wheelhouse Band:  

Minstrel Café:  Fighting Orange:  Dec. 18^th & Dec. 20^th   The Rowdymen:  Dec. 23^rd   Blue City Duo:  Dec. 26^th   Poppa Dawg Blues Band:  Dec. 27^th  Russ Macklem Trio:  Dec. 30^th

O'Flannigan's Pub:   (Live Music every Tuesday with Riaz and Friends)  Papa Wheely:   Dec. 19^th & 20^th

The Green (Vernon):  The Young’Uns:  Dec. 26^th & 27^th

The Max Night Club (Vernon):   

Vernon Jazz Club:  Sherman Doucette & Kenny Wayne:  Dec. 31^st

 

Notable Concerts:   

Prospera  Place:   Bryan Adams:  January 15^th  2015   The Tragically Hip:  Feb. 7^th 2015

Kelowna Community Theatre:   Black Label Society:  Dec. 30^th   

South Okanagan Events Centre:  Celtic Thunder:  March 13^th-2015

 

   …if you have a musical story or news and would like me to write something… drop me a line at:  [email protected]  and let’s celebrate Kelowna’s rich and varied music community together!!.....

 

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.