Firewind Family Tree

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Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

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Firewind are a Greek power/heavy metal band with guitarist Gus G at the heart. Gus is the main writer of the band. Babis “Bob” Katsionis who was long time keyboardist in the band has a lot of writing credits as well during his time in the band. Other members of Firewind have either been unsteady or limited to no contributions to the writing. The band has changed drummers and vocalists often.

The Beatles need no introduction most likely being they are the most well known rock band ever. They were an early influence on Gus as a kid.

The Beatles need no introduction most likely being they are the most well known rock band ever. They were an early influence on Gus as a kid.

One of the most influential guitarists of any time, Jimi Hendrix is one of Gus’s favorites.

One of the most influential guitarists of any time, Jimi Hendrix is one of Gus’s favorites.

The Doors are probably the most popular psychedelic rock band. Gus named them as an early influence.

The Doors are probably the most popular psychedelic rock band. Gus named them as an early influence.

The fathers of metal, Black Sabbath were an influence on Gus with Tony being one of his favorite players. Gus isn’t just a fan of the old stuff but is also a big fan of the Tony Martin era stuff.

The fathers of metal, Black Sabbath were an influence on Gus with Tony being one of his favorite players. Gus isn’t just a fan of the old stuff but is also a big fan of the Tony Martin era stuff.

Emerson, Lake, & Palmer were a prominent prog rock band. Bob names Keith Emerson as one of his idols.

Emerson, Lake, & Palmer were a prominent prog rock band. Bob names Keith Emerson as one of his idols.

UFO were a hugley influential band with Michael Schenker on guitar. Gus named Schenker and UFO as an influence.

UFO were a hugley influential band with Michael Schenker on guitar. Gus named Schenker and UFO as an influence.

Thin Lizzy was a rock /hard rock band known for their guitar harmonies. Gus named them as an influence.

Thin Lizzy was a rock /hard rock band known for their guitar harmonies. Gus named them as an influence.

Scorpions were one of earliest of metal bands and have had hugely inspiring guitar players. Gus names both Michael Schenker and Uli Roth as two of his biggest influences.

Scorpions were one of earliest of metal bands and have had hugely inspiring guitar players. Gus names both Michael Schenker and Uli Roth as two of his biggest influences.

Peter Frampton probably most well known as a guitairst for his use of the talk box. His Frampton Comes Alive album is what Gus first want to play guitar.

Peter Frampton probably most well known as a guitairst for his use of the talk box. His Frampton Comes Alive album is what Gus first want to play guitar.

The Eagles are an American rock band with country/folk sound. They are an early influence on Gus.

The Eagles are an American rock band with country/folk sound. They are an early influence on Gus.

Guitarist Gary Moore put out a ton of solo albums and worked in a few bands as well. He is a big influence on Gus.

Guitarist Gary Moore put out a ton of solo albums and worked in a few bands as well. He is a big influence on Gus.

Stevie Ray Vaughan is a legendary blues player. Gus named him as a favorite.

Stevie Ray Vaughan is a legendary blues player. Gus named him as a favorite.

Yngwie Malmsteen is a hugely influential guitarist who pioneered neo-classical metal from where Ritchie Blackmore left off. Gus names him as an influence. After hearing Yngwie he wanted be a shred player. He says Rising Force is his favorite guitar …

Yngwie Malmsteen is a hugely influential guitarist who pioneered neo-classical metal from where Ritchie Blackmore left off. Gus names him as an influence. After hearing Yngwie he wanted be a shred player. He says Rising Force is his favorite guitar album.

One of the earliest NWOBHM bands Saxon. They were a band Gus listened to growing up.

One of the earliest NWOBHM bands Saxon. They were a band Gus listened to growing up.

Jens Johansson

Jen has played keyboard for tons of band but with most of his time spent with Yngwie and Stratovarius. He is one of Bob’s idols.

Jen has played keyboard for tons of band but with most of his time spent with Yngwie and Stratovarius. He is one of Bob’s idols.

Iron Maiden are the biggest band to come out of the NWOBHM and have been hugely influential including and influence on Gus.

Iron Maiden are the biggest band to come out of the NWOBHM and have been hugely influential including and influence on Gus.

Electric Sun was the band formed by Uli Roth after leave the Scorpions. Gus actually named the band after Electric Sun’s second album.

Electric Sun was the band formed by Uli Roth after leave the Scorpions. Gus actually named the band after Electric Sun’s second album.

Ozzy has always had amazing guitar players from Randy, Jake and Zakk … and later Gus. I’m not confident in them being a big influence on early Firewind although I am more confident that learning their stuff influenced him after playing with Ozzy for…

Ozzy has always had amazing guitar players from Randy, Jake and Zakk … and later Gus. I’m not confident in them being a big influence on early Firewind although I am more confident that learning their stuff influenced him after playing with Ozzy for sure.

Metallica are the fathers of thrash metal. Gus named them as an influence saying James and Kirk was some of his early guitar heros.

Metallica are the fathers of thrash metal. Gus named them as an influence saying James and Kirk was some of his early guitar heros.

Racer X are a heavy/speed metal band of guitarist Paul Gilbert, and drummer Scott Travis of Judas Priest fame. Gus named them as an influence.

Racer X are a heavy/speed metal band of guitarist Paul Gilbert, and drummer Scott Travis of Judas Priest fame. Gus named them as an influence.

Joe Satriani is an influential instrumental hard rock guitarist. He is an influence on Gus.

Joe Satriani is an influential instrumental hard rock guitarist. He is an influence on Gus.

Guns ‘n’ Roses although only having a few albums is one of the most influential hard rock band. Gus said Slash was an early guitar hero of his.

Guns ‘n’ Roses although only having a few albums is one of the most influential hard rock band. Gus said Slash was an early guitar hero of his.

Dream Theater are probably the biggest and most quintessential progressive metal band. Bob is a huge fan especially being inspired by Kevin Moore.

Dream Theater are probably the biggest and most quintessential progressive metal band. Bob is a huge fan especially being inspired by Kevin Moore.

Bob also plays guitar but i’m uncertain if he wrote any guitar parts with the band. His guitar influences include Jeff Waters, John Petruccie and Joe Satriani.

Petros Christo has been on bass since the second album but I am certain if he has contributed to writing. His influences include Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden.

Apollo Papathanasio was vocalist for four albums but I am unsure of his influences how much he contributed to writing other than lyrics.

Stephen Fredrick was vocalist on the first two albums and wrote much of the lyrics. He grew up with influences like Rob Halford, David Coverdale, Dio, Joe Lynn Turner, and MSG.

Guitarist David T. Chastain was never in the band but produced and has a few occasional co-writing credits.

Chitral "Chity" Somapala is vocalist on Forged in Fire. I’m uncertain his contributions or influences. Gus said that Chitty was a big fan of Tony Martian era Sabbath and Scorpions.

Stian Kristoffersen drummed on two albums but doesn’t have any writing credits. Gus said Stain was into prog bands like Rush.

Mark Cross has writing credits with his time on drums on two albums. His influences: “Greatly influenced by Jazz and Rock drummers of the 60's and 70's, he managed to develop his own style and mainly points out Billy Cobham, Steve Gadd, Pierre Moerlen and much much later Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa to be some of his idols. Ian Paice and John Bonham where probably the ones responsible to set him onto the rock path. Also with listening to Brian Downey, Neil Peart, Cozy Powell, Nicko McBrain and Simon Philips, he surely carved a stone.”

I am uncertain if any other vocalists or drummers not listed have contributed to writing.

Sources:

https://web.archive.org/web/20130123071055/http://www.guitarhoo.com/interviews/gus-g-124
https://www.boss.info/us/community/boss_users_group/1782/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLUthS0E7UA
https://soundcloud.com/user-90858124/ryan-91818-gus-g
http://www.leviathanrecords.com/firewind2iv8.htm
http://www.leviathanrecords.com/firewindiv30.htm
http://www.leviathanrecords.com/kinrickiv3.htm
https://worldofmetalmag.com/wom-interviews-bob-katsionis/
http://espyrock.com/interviews/sonisphere-uk-2011-interview-firewind-bob-katsionis
http://www.leviathanrecords.com/firewind2iv10.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20141220093753/http://www.mcross.com/
http://www.lakinzica.it/interview-with-gus-g-ozzy-osbourne-and-firewind-guitarist