Year : 2007 / 2009 (Stormspell Records Limited Edition 2010)
Style : Power Metal , Speed Metal , Heavy Metal
Country : Greece
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 91 mb
Bio:
Blending the finest ingredients of what makes Metal so great: Speed, Power, Melody and Substance. CROSSWIND's sound can be described as the fusion of NWOBHM's melody, German Power Metal's speed and technique and American Heavy Metal's epic sound. This amalgam of influences rooted in fine Metal tradition as well as the addition of allegorical lyrics and an orchestral perception towards arrangements underpin CROSSWIND's new beginning.There’s really no better description of the essence of CROSSWIND – one of Greece’s most promising “modern” Heavy/Power Metal acts – than that provided by the band members themselves on their (now defunct) official website when discussing the group’s rebirth in the mid-2000s. However, the CROSSWIND saga began all the way back in the mid-1990s when the first incarnation of the band was formed.At the time of their debut release, 1998’s “Dark Omens” demo CDr, CROSSWIND consisted of Adam Giannoulakis (vocals), Kyriakos Vasdokas (guitars – WISHDOOM), Nick Vlachopoulos (guitars), Vasilis Kyrkos (bass – SINNER RIDER), Vasilis Mitsaris (drums – OUT OF THE LAIR) and Sotos Noukas (keyboards – ANXIETY, SARISSA). Despite offering very likeable, NWOBHM-tinted Power Metal with a high degree of song memorability, CROSSWIND never really took off and the band was forced, for various reasons, into hibernation.Fortunately, in the year 2005 original members Kyriakos Vasdokas (guitars), Vasilis Mitsaris (drums) and Vasilis Kyrkos (bass) decided to once again resurrect CROSSWIND. Filling in the empty lineup slots were guitarists Leon Tsorbatzoglou and Haris Vavalidis (ATRIA MORTIS, STYGIAN OATH), while original guitarist Kyriakos V. took over the vocal duties. The result of this reunion was a significantly strong and today sought-after demo couplet – Beyond (2007) and Opposing Forces (2009) – which also marked a significant development in the band’s sound and compositional department.Whereas “Dark Omens” had all the pros and cons of an underground jewel, the new CROSSWIND adopted a more professional approach to their craft. Take for example 2009’s “Opposing Forces” demo CDr, which could just as well be regarded as an EP proper. In terms of production, performance and arrangements, the music exhibits a grander as well as speedier style in keeping with contemporary Power Metal, yet not without sacrificing their roots in HEAVY Metal (unlike so many Power/Flower metal band of the time).Following a joint re-release compilation CD of “Beyond” and ”Opposing Forces” on the respectable US-based record label Stormspell, CROSSWIND began work on their debut full-length album, eventually arriving in 2014 under the title “Vicious Dominion”.
Album:
Opposing Forces (Demo) (2009)
Satisfied' is a kinda weak word to describe my feelings for CROSSWIND's Beyond EP a couple of months (or more?) ago.The Greek Heavy/Power Metal band - as you can read in the relative review - easily proved they have the fonts to attract the interest of classic Metal maniacs. Not willing to run and hide, CROSSWIND now strike back with another EP release, this time entitled Opposing Forces. Dunno the meaning of existence for the first word in the CD's title, still forces is again a fitting choice.Four songs - including a QUEENSRYCHE cover - and three intermezzos build up the tracklist for this EP. CROSSWIND are looking more into the American standards this time, with the songs dressed up in a JAG PANZER/TITAN FORCE suede (the throat of Kyriakos Vasdokas helps in this direction, too) but the basics of IRON MAIDEN, HELLOWEEN/RUNNING WILD plus a portion of post-80s Italian Power/Epic Metal still exist. Speeding things up again, the band delivers even better guitar parts (most of the soloing is simply 'kick ass'), while the work done in the multi-vocal choruses elevates the songs' breeze.The cover on Walk In The Shadows is actually striking, too. Not only it confirms the technical adequacy of CROSSWIND as players but - thumbs up to the singer for this one - the vocals performance is hitting hard, keeping Tate's guidelines safe while endorsing the song with a an identity equal to what singers like e.g. Harry Tyrant Conklin have. I confess I was not ready for a warm welcome to this take, but - eventually - I am glad I was wrong.Nothing more left to add, really. Opposing Forces is an excellent release...again. You should really grab the chance to order both EPs at the band's MySpace page. You'll be excited with the sound the band builds up, too. Still, let's wish the next CROSSWIND release will be a full-length CD. They deserve more, they really do.
Beyond (Demo) (2007)
With a name and a 'classic weapons' lineup like this I'd suppose this is a 'classic' Heavy Metal band we're dealing with. What was out of the picture, whatsoever, was the quality of this 4-track private release by Hellenic warriors CROSSWIND. If Beyond is the (new) beginning then we declare many labels should pay attention to the rising power of this more than remarkable act in their future moves.Formed in 1996, CROSSWIND released the Dark Omens demo CD in 1998 and then went on hiatus. Still, the flame still burning, Kyriakos Vasdokas and Bill Mitsaris reformed the band and here we have their latest creation, Beyond. The cover - crafted by Dimitar Nikolov - connects to the music in a graceful way. Through their four new songs, CROSSWIND delivers a certain doze of dynamic Heavy/Power Metal based mainly on the European standards of the late 80s/90s plus a firm doze of US Metal. The crucial factor that shall grab you by the balls is the professional production, full of volume and consistency, that truly upgrades the band in an hostile level. The musicians themselves are 'bonded' by chemistry, true motive and fluent skills in order to accomplish their mission.Meaning: powerful and epic vocals, razorsharp guitars, stiff leads (with apt duals), fat bass lines and pounding drums compile a set of songs that fans of 'epic' Heavy Metal shall find interesting the least. Eye Of The Storm bears speed and pounding vibes with an 'Italic' aura (the atmosphere is DOMINE/SKYLARK-ish here), Virtue & Malice carries a relevant vibe (more 'German', maybe?) but with some more 'dim' vocal lines and efficient rhythm breaks (melodies are spread allover) and 300 rolls on even faster and things can get rather battlefield crazy over here, with some narrative singing providing the song with an assured atmosphere (operatic post-80s JAG PANZER on cocaine is a good sketch?).March Of The Slaves wraps up this splendid private release in an IRON MAIDEN-related harmonic mode with vocals in a reporting mode in the couple and blastbeating 'cry outs' in the refrains (off-tune are the vocals here a little bit...). Guessed right, the lyrics themes of the songs derive from the rich ancient Greek mythology/history (300 alone should certify this, after the typhoon of recognition via the same-titled movie).When you have a fitting name, some impressive cover artwork and a set of powerful Metal cuts, then it's no dream to chase your visions as a band (record deal, releases, gigs). CROSSWIND really has the potential to climb up in the metallic map, even if this certain sub-genre they're dealin' with seems kinda 'overloaded' the last years. If you like the way Greek bands perform on straightforward or 'epic' Heavy Metal music, then CROSSWIND is surely a fitting piece (more than fitting, on second thought) in your collection.
Line-Up:
Opposing Forces (Demo) (2009)
Kyriakos Vasdokas Vocals, Guitars
Leon Tsorbatzoglou Guitars
Vasilis Kyrkos - Bass (ex-Sinner Rider)
Vasilis Mitsaris - Drums (ex-Out Of The Lair)
Beyond (Demo) (2007)
Kyriakos Vasdokas Vocals, Guitars
Haris Vavalidis Guitars
Leon Tsorbatzoglou Guitars
Vasilis Kyrkos - Bass (ex-Sinner Rider)
Vasilis Mitsaris - Drums (ex-Out Of The Lair)
Production:
Lyrics By – K. Vasdokas* (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 8 to 10)
Music By – K. Vasdokas* (tracks: 1 to 6, 8 to 11), L. Tsorbatzoglou* (tracks: 9)
Recorded By, Producer – K. Vasdokas*
Tracklist:
01. Up from the Pits 00:25 instrumental
02. Nephilim Rising 03:45
03. Conspiring Tongues 00:22 instrumental
04. Weavers of Nightmares 04:33
05. A Moment of Clarity 00:22 instrumental
06. Awakening 04:21
07. Walk in the Shadows (Queensrÿche cover) 03:47
08. Eye of the Storm 04:15
09. Virtue and Malice 03:47
10. 300 05:26 Show lyrics
11. March of the Slaves 05:27
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
