In anticipation of FIREWIND’s concerts in Greece (on December 6th and 7th, 2024, in Thessaloniki and Athens respectively), which will close a very busy year for the band, Gus G. discussed with us the past, present, and future of both FIREWIND and himself as a musician. Read more at the interview that follows…
– First of all, Gus, hello, it’s an honor to have you here at The Gallery. In what state do we find you and the band?
Gus G: Basically, we’re at the final stretch of the year, wrapping up the last shows of ’24. Five final concerts for the album we released this year, «Stand United»: three in Greece, one in Bulgaria, and one in Turkey. We’ve already toured the world once or twice this year.
– That’s where I wanted to start with my first question. Every time you play in Greece, it feels celebratory, like it’s something special for the band. Especially this year, after traveling the world, how do you feel now that you’re closing the year at home? What should fans expect this time, and how are FIREWIND approaching these shows?
Gus G: As you said, it’s always celebratory. We’ve been ending our tours in Greece for the past 10-15 years, usually around December, close to Christmas. It’s something we’ve established. What to expect? Well, our shows in Greece always have a unique energy, thanks to the audience as well.
– The connection is also different with the Greek crowd...
Gus G: Exactly, it’s a special bond, a different kind of love that we feel. This time, I always try to do something better, to raise the bar. So, this time we’ll present a full production that we’ve used across Europe, with a new light show, stage design, and setlist. We’re also bringing MASTERPLAN with us, which makes this package special—it began in March in Europe. Additionally, Apollo will join us for two of the three concerts, in Athens and Thessaloniki.
– That was an amazing announcement!
Gus G: Yes, it’s been 12 years since Apollo and I last performed together on stage. He’ll sing some songs from his era with the band and do duets with Herbie. It’s going to be a unique show.
– I wanted to ask you about that. How does it feel to work again with someone after 12-13 years, especially someone with whom you’ve created so much history?
Gus G: It’s great; it’s nostalgic. It takes me back to those years. Sure, we’re almost 15 years older now, but it still feels like back then!
– I imagine when you’ve worked so well with someone, there’s no need to re-establish much.
Gus G: Yes, we know each other well. We share a close, almost brotherly relationship. We’ve been through a lot together. Sure, we had ups and downs—Apollo would leave and rejoin the band even back then—but we were younger and less mature.
– Your individual desires were stronger inside both of you.
Gus G: Exactly. One reason I wanted to do this now, apart from giving our fans something special, was to close that chapter properly. Back in 2012, it ended abruptly. We celebrated the band’s 10th anniversary with four shows, and then Apollo announced he was leaving. We didn’t talk for 10 years after that. It was a bit of a thorn in the band’s history, and I wanted to revisit that era to give it proper closure. There’s no bad blood between us—just respect and love.
– That wasn’t the impression given, really.
Gus G: No. No, really, there’s just respect and love for each other. We just wanted to do something nice this time.
– Perhaps the timing is now right, with conditions maturing.
Gus G: Exactly. As we grow older, we realize some things need to happen at the right time. Sometimes, we’re pressured to move forward, but cycles don’t close properly. That’s how I felt, which is why I invited Apollo to return to Greece for these shows. It had to happen here—where it all began and ended. Doing this in the U.S., England, or Japan wouldn’t have made sense.
And I also believe that only here, in our country, did it matter that this thing happened. Because this is where all this that happened started and ended, you understand? It didn’t make sense for me to invite him to play somewhere in America, England or Japan. I wanted this to happen in Greece!
– It would still be successful elsewhere, but it wouldn’t feel the same—for you, for him, or for the rest of the band.
Gus G: Exactly. It was more fitting to do it here because he’s Greek as well and this is where we had our first big concerts together. This is where our live DVD was recorded, at Principal. I believe this was the right place to close this chapter. Besides, in our lives, we’ve moved on; the band’s career has gone in a different direction. Apollo isn’t even part of the music industry anymore.
– Although, personally, I’m a big fan of Herbie from his SEVENTH AVENUE days, I have to ask—do you see any future collaboration with Apollo?
Gus G: At this stage, it’s not something we’re considering. We’ll see how things go, one step at a time. Change happens constantly, and people evolve. For now, this was something special for these shows, and we’ll leave it at that. If a special project arises where Apollo’s involvement makes sense as a guest, why not? But he’s not someone who can commit to this 365 days a year, which is why he left the band in the first place.
– Alright, I have two unrelated questions for this interview. The first one is about cats! I’ve heard you’re a cat lover and a cat dad. Since I am one too, I’m curious: how many cats do you have?
Gus G: I have four! Two red tabbies, a tabby, and a Siamese!
– Nice! My question is, when you’re away for so long, obviously someone takes care of them, but doesn’t it stress you out thinking they might get upset? I mean, even if I’m gone for five days, my cat either gets catatonic or scratches everything!
Gus G: Well, there’s always someone at home during my tours—my wife takes care of them, so they have company. The hardest part is when both of us go on vacation and can’t bring them along. That’s when they feel abandoned and act out—like scratching sofas. But when I’m on tour, there’s always someone at home.
– I’ve always wondered how musicians who tour handle their pets. That was one of the silly questions I had in life, and you were the perfect person to answer it!
Gus G: I’ve been living with cats since 2006-7, almost 20 years. It’s a big responsibility. Cats aren’t as portable as dogs; you can’t just pick them up and take them outside.
– Even taking them to the vet feels like an Odyssey.
Gus G: Exactly! They get very anxious in new environments, so they need familiar places and smells. For me, the biggest stress is when both of us leave. My parents take care of them, but it’s not the same. If one of us is home, though, there’s no problem. One last thing on this topic…I haven’t taken a vacation longer than six days in the past 20 years!
– That makes sense, with your schedule and your cats. So, let’s get back to your upcoming concerts. As you mentioned, you’re touring with MASTERPLAN. I wanted your thoughts on Roland Grapow, both as a guitarist and a composer. Let me also point out something I noticed: In the ’90s, Grapow introduced a heavier guitar sound with HELLOWEEN when power metal was lighter and higher sounding. I feel that heavier sound transitioned to FIREWIND after his departure from HELLOWEEN. At least, that’s how it seemed to my untrained ears at the time. What’s your opinion on him and MASTERPLAN?
Gus G: There’s some truth to that, probably because Roland and I love the same guitarists! We share similar influences—he likes Malmsteen, Schenker, Uli Roth. To be honest, I wasn’t into the HELLOWEEN era with Grapow. I discovered him more towards the end, with «The Dark Ride». After he and Uli Kusch left to form a new project, I became more interested.
A year or two later, we toured together—MASTERPLAN’s first tour. I was with my other band, DREAM EVIL, supporting HAMMERFALL, and we shared the same tour bus. That’s when I got to know Roland and heard MASTERPLAN for the first time. Their low-tuned, slightly progressive sound caught my attention. The first album especially stood out.
– The first 2-3 albums had some amazing work, though their later efforts are solid too.
Gus G: Exactly, and that’s why I reached out to MASTERPLAN for this tour. I knew they hadn’t been very active recently, and I wanted to tour with a “band of our era.” Although Roland is older with his HELLOWEEN legacy, MASTERPLAN and FIREWIND started around the same time, in 2002-2003. I wanted to tour with a group from my generation.
– It must’ve been organic, but you were part of that group of people of that impressive generation emerging in the early 2000s. For example, I didn’t know until recently that you once lived with Strömblad.
Gus G: Yes, when I first went to Sweden, I stayed at Jesper’s house.
– I can imagine what that was like. You had your whole future ahead, but it must’ve been fun.
Gus G: Yes, Jesper and his then-girlfriend literally took me in off the street. I had nowhere to stay when I arrived in Sweden, so I was living in Fredrik Nordström’s studio dorm. I was just 19, and they offered me a spare room in their house. That’s how I managed to stay in Sweden. Their place was a hub for the Swedish metal scene at the time—everyone would come by for parties.
– I can imagine the scenery there...
Gus G: Yes, I met everyone firsthand. It was amazing.
– And all that because you dared to take the step at age 19.
Gus G: At 19, I didn’t think about the future much; I just went with the flow. Later, Fredrik and I started writing songs, which eventually led to DREAM EVIL. Those were my early days in the music industry.
– How do you feel about Jesper’s current projects, like THE HALO EFFECT?
Gus G: I’ve heard one or two songs from THE HALO EFFECT, and they’re like ’90s IN FLAMES. I like them. I know Jesper doesn’t tour much anymore and has struggled with mental health issues for years. We haven’t spoken in a long time.
– Let’s talk about your new album “Stand United“, released nearly nine months ago. How has the response been? I’m not talking just in terms of sales and streams but how do fans react to the songs live? I feel some of them should work perfectly live.
Gus G: This album was written with live performances in mind. Tracks like «Destiny Is Calling» and «Fallen Angel» are doing great live. I think they might stay on our setlist for years.
– Coming from your previous mention of your new stage design, light show etc., I feel like FIREWIND has some newly found energy, almost like a second youth. You’ve been working tirelessly, and there seems to be some great chemistry within the band. Do you feel this renewed momentum?
Gus G: Absolutely! A big part of this is thanks to Herbie. He brought new energy to the band.
– He’s got a great stage presence too.
Gus G: Yes, I believe he’s the frontman we needed. For many years, I felt like I was the one pulling all the weight. I don’t want to name any names but in the past we even had issues of not knowing what the singer will say between the songs!
– Herbie seems to genuinely enjoy himself on stage.
Gus G: Yes, he truly lives it! He’s also someone who left his day job at the age of 40 to focus on music full-time after getting the chance with AVANTASIA. It was a huge decision, and that’s why I say he’s fully immersed in his role. He’s brought a fresh, youthful energy to the band—even at this stage of life—while I’ve been doing this since I was 20.
– It’s like he’s channeling the energy of someone in their 20s, but in his 40s!
Gus G: Exactly! His positivity helped us during a challenging time. After the COVID-19 pandemic, things opened up quickly for us, and we received more live offers than we expected. That’s when we decided to reinvest in the band, even though my mindset before was more hesitant. I was thinking, “Let’s wait and see how things go.” But with Herbie’s influence, we decided to go all in.
– Alright, my second unrelated question comes from the site’s editor-in-chief. Since we focus more on the extreme side of metal, he wanted me to ask about Chuck Schuldiner, knowing you admire him. Could you share your thoughts on him?
Gus G: Of course! I’ve always admired Chuck’s playing, vocal style, and originality. He was a trailblazer and an inspiring guitarist. Even today, his work inspires me. He was very progressive in his approach, and I love most of his work, especially his final album, «The Sound of Perseverance». It was incredible!
– If he was still with us, who knows what he’d be creating today.
Gus G: Absolutely! He left us way too soon.
– It’s interesting to note that he passed away around the time you were starting out.
Gus G: Yes, indeed! During my early years in the U.S., I was listening to «The Sound of Perseverance» a lot.
– My final question is about the future. What do you envision for FIREWIND and your solo career? What are your next steps?
Gus G: The immediate plan is to take a short break for a few months. We have one more tour in the UK in February, which will close the chapter on «Stand United». Herbie will be busy next year with AVANTASIA, as he’s a backing vocalist for them and will join their extensive tour for their new album. So, we’ll wrap things up in February, and I’ll focus on writing for the next album. We’re already planning things for 2026. We’ll see how it goes.
– Are you referring to the next FIREWIND album or your next solo album?
Gus G: To be honest, I don’t have anything ready at the moment. I have ideas for both projects. Next year, I have some solo tours planned, and I hope to release a few singles. I doubt I’ll finish a solo album, but you never know—I might get inspired and finish one in a month! For now, I aim to release solo singles to accompany my tours and concentrate on writing the next FIREWIND album.
– We live in an era that favors singles again, even through platforms like YouTube or Bandcamp.
Gus G: Yes, though the landscape of music releases is changing for us. AFM Records, our label, is closing this year. I don’t know if they’ve announced it yet, but they’ll continue as a catalog label, not releasing new material. A French investment firm, which also owns Nuclear Blast, has bought many labels. The physical market has shrunk significantly; they’re closing offices and keeping only accountants and the catalog. This means we’re now free from contracts, and I’m already thinking differently about our next steps.
– And rightly so...
Gus G: Exactly! The traditional model of signing with a big label isn’t as appealing to me anymore. I’m considering taking things in-house, to have more control over the physical products and ensure they’re tailored to our fans. There are many possibilities to explore.
– After all, you know your vision better than anyone, regardless of a label’s intentions.
Gus G: That’s true. I don’t think labels offer much to established bands with existing fanbases anymore. They can help new bands get started and gain exposure, but for us, they don’t add much value. This is my opinion, and maybe I’m wrong, but I’ve never been fully satisfied with any label I’ve worked with.
– That’s quite a statement! And you’ve worked with some relatively big ones, like Century Media and AFM…
Gus G: Yes, but I never felt fully content. I saw them more as banks funding our albums and music videos.
– I see. Gus, thank you so much for your time!
Gus G: Thank you as well! Have a great afternoon!
Interview: Andreas Karamitsos
Translation/Rendering in English: Andreas Karamitsos
Design & Editing: Alexandros Soultatos
Date: November 29th, 2024
External Link: FIREWIND – Official Page
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