Sorrowful Angels

Sorrowful Angels
Origin Athens, Greece
Genres Gothic metal[1][2]
Years active 1999–present
Labels Sleaszy Rider, Black Lotus, Warner
Associated acts Septic Flesh, Chaostar, Oblique, Saddolls, Mani Deum, Olethrio Rigma, Astarte, Revolted Masses,
Website www.sorrowfulangels.com
Members Dionisis Christodoulatos
Ilias Boozeas
Chris Stratigos
Past members See list of Sorrowful Angels former members

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.

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.[3] 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 bunkruptcy and all announced titles were on hold indefinitely. It wasn't too long that the band 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.[4] They entered CFN Recordings Studio and recorded their debut album called "Ship in Your Trip".[5] 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, Outloud) was made for the promotion of the album.[6] Soon after the band started gigging around Greece along with TV appearances promoting their work.[7]

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 Spitfirebut eventually lost by Spitfire who went on to support Scorpions in Athens.[8]

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).[9]

Label status change

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.[10] More shows followed in Greece, including these with Rotting Christ at Volos Golden R. Festival.[11]

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.[12]

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 [13]

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 [14]

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.[15]

During winter of 2012, "Omens Over Greece Tour" took place, and the band performed many shows throughout Greece, promoting their new album.[16]

As a conclusion of the tour, 2 final shows were announced supporting Moonspell during their "Alpha Noir / Omega White Tour" on 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),[17]

Reme-die (2013 onwards)

During 2013, Dionisis Christodoulatos became a full member of Classical, Opera and Vocal Orchestra "Chaostar" (consisting of members of Septic Flesh), taking over piano and keyboard duties in the band. This led to a small pause in the writing process of Sorrowful Angels 3rd album material, with the working title "Reme-die" [18]

Between September and October, Sorrowful Angels will be the backing band of Paul Di'Anno on his farewell "Beast Over Greece Tour" as well as the support group, visiting many places in Greece.[19] After the tour, recordings of the new record are scheduled to begin.

Line-up

Current

Former members (studio, session & live )

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Videography

References

  1. ↑ "Sorrowful Angels - Biography". Metal Storm. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  2. ↑ "Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives - Sorrowful Angels". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  3. ↑ "Chania Rock Festival 2002". Altars Of Metal.com. 2002-08-17. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  4. ↑ "SORROWFUL ANGELS / NEW SIGNING van Sleaszy Rider Records op Myspace". Myspace.com. 2009-01-24. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  5. ↑ "Sorrowful Angels - Ship In Your Trip review". Metal Storm. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  6. ↑ "SORROWFUL ANGELS: 'Denial' Video Posted Online". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  7. ↑ "News > SORROWFUL ANGELS - New Video Interview Available". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  8. ↑ "Συναυλίες-Κριτικές - 2nd Scorpions Fest Finals - Αρχιτεκτονική". Rockpages.gr. 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  9. ↑ "Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives - SadDolls". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  10. ↑ "Katatonia, Sirenia, Sorrowful Angels, Daylight Misery". Greekrebels.gr. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  11. ↑ "green-e.gr". Yougles.com. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  12. ↑ "SORROWFUL ANGELS Parts Ways With Singer". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  13. ↑ "Sorrowful Angels Offering Download Of "Omens" EP - in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  14. ↑ ""Omens" Ο Τιτλοσ Του Νεου Cd Των Sorrowful Angels : Music Mash". Musicmash.gr. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  15. ↑ "Paradise Lost live σε Αθήνα και Θεσσαλονίκη, 18-20/03/11". Rocking.gr. 2011-03-21. Retrieved 2012-02-25.
  16. ↑ http://www.rocking.gr/news/Omens_Over_Greece_tour_apo_tous_Sorrowful_Angels_kai_E1EN/11761/ Retrieved 2012-22-9
  17. ↑ http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Sorrowful_Angels/Reborn%3A_A_tribute_to_Moonspell/353826 Retrieved 2012-9-22
  18. ↑ http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Chaostar/3932 Retrieved 2012-9-22
  19. ↑ http://www.rockoverdose.gr/news_details.php?id=24728 Retrieved 2012-9-22

External links