Year : 2026
Style : Melodic Heavy Metal , Melodic Hard Rock
Country : Greece
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 90 mb
Bio:
Kostas Karamitroudis also known as Gus G, born September 12, 1980 in Thessaloniki, Greece is a heavy metal guitarist. He currently plays with his band Firewind and Ozzy Osbourne. He has also played in Mystic Prophecy, Nightrage, Arch Enemy and Dream Evil.At the age of 18 he left Greece to enroll in the Berklee College of Music, but left after only a few weeks and began working on making a name on the metal scene. During his brief time at Berklee Gus came into contact with Joe Stump, who he credits as a great influence on his career.In 1998, Gus G. decided to record a demo with some close musician friends in the United States. The project was entitled Firewind, and was used as a showcase for Gus' guitar skills in an attempt to earn a professional recording deal. The demo attracted the attention of Leviathan Records, but activity was put on hold when Gus was hired by Nightrage, Dream Evil, and Mystic Prophecy.Gus G with the Ozzy Osbourne band.After the release of his other bands' debut albums, Gus' attention returned to the Firewind project. He was the only original member. The band has released 7 studio albums to date and has gone through many lineup changes.On July 2005, he temporarily replaced Christopher Amott as guitarist of melodic death metal band Arch Enemy on their Ozzfest dates, and also contributed to their album Doomsday Machine by playing lead guitar on the song "Taking Back my Soul".He has made guest appearances for various artists,including the title track song on the latest Rob Rock release "Garden of Chaos" as well as providing solos on the songs "Felonies of the Christian Art" and "Life Deprived" by Old Man's Child, from the album In Defiance of Existence,and a few solos on the album Gallows Gallery by the Japanese avant-garde black metal band Sigh).Most recently Gus gave two guest solos for the new Nightrage album Wearing A Martyr's Crown marking a return to his former band. The solos appear on the instrumental Sting Of Remorse. He also appeared in In This Moment recent album A Star-Crossed Wasteland on "The Road".The stage name "Gus G." has two sources of origin - "Gus" is a common Greek American English translation of the name "Kostas," and "G" was a nickname given to him by a friend during his time living in the U.S.On 2005 he played some guest solos on Rock … Γυνή Και Θάλασσα (Woman And Sea), a record from a Greek rock band called Δυτικές Συνοικίες(West Neighborhoods).Gus G was chosen as the third of the three best guitar players all over the world in 2003 by the Japanese magazine BURRN!.In 2009, Gus was sent an email invitation from Ozzy Osbourne's management to learn 5 - 6 songs and fly down to Los Angeles to audition for the role of guitarist in Ozzy Osbourne's band. After jamming with Ozzy's band, Gus was "asked on the spot to come back and perform a concert with Ozzy a couple of months later".Soon after it was announced that Gus G. would be taking the place of lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy decided to part ways with long time guitarist Zakk Wylde because he thought his music was beginning to sound too much like Black Label Society. Gus' first live appearance with Ozzy was at the BlizzCon 2009.Gus G performing with Ozzy.In 2010 Gus G appeared alongside Firewind in Issue 3 of the Eternal Descent Comic Book which is an epic comic series that features characters of several of ESP Guitars’ most popular artists.2011 will also see Gus once again playing on the new Nightrage album Insidious. The album is set to come out September 26.2014 Gus collaborated with Jeff Scott Soto for his upcoming new band/album 'SOTO' on a song entitled 'Wrath'. Gus plays on the album version as well as writing on the song, it is a blistering as Soto is heading back to a much anticipated heavier direction on this release.In February 2015, Gus has stated during an interview that he has already written all the songs for his upcoming second solo album and he will start recording the album after his tour and it is aiming to be finished by summertime.
Album:
The first album in over five years. Featuring guest appearances by Doro, Matt Barlow, Ronnie Romero, and Dino Jelusick. Gus G. will embark on an extensive world tour in 2026. Gus G. appears as a playable character in the mobile game Rock Kommander. The game has a global reach with hundreds of thousands of downloads and will extensively promote Gus G. and Firewind throughout 2026.For those who have never heard of GUS G., my question is; under which rock have you been hiding? Even if you don't his original band FIREWIND, with whom he released the total of 11 albums, you should at least beware that he has been the main guitarist for OZZY OSBOURNE for a number of years, resulting in him writing for the 2010 "Scream" album. On top of that he cooperated in bands like DREAM EVIL, NIGHTRAGE and MYSTIC PROPHECY. But he also is capable of writing and producing his solo material, which he releases under his own name. now, on 24 April 2026, it is time for his fifth solo achievement with "Steel Burner". Well, I say solo, but of course he has help from other musicians and some remarkable vocalists.You've also got Doro Pesch, who gives us a very raspy rendition of her vocal abilities on "Nothing Can Break Me". Matt Barlow (ASHES OF ARES) does "Dancing With Death", and he does a very good job there. Last, but definitely not least there is Dino Jelusick (JELUSICK, WHITESNAKE) who sings his lungs out on "No One Has To Know", by far the best vocal achievement on "Steel Burner". And even though I feel that all the singers have done well, nobody has been challenged enough to rise above themselves, to preform at their absolute top. That is the only critique I can give you vocally. Musically the "Steel Burner" album is quite solid as well. Yes, there are a few instrumentals to be experienced, but GUS G. is very aware that the songs must come first, not his guitar antics. And he does that with flair, making sure that every song, with or without vocals, sounds as good as he can make them. It makes "Steel Burner" into an album that is to be enjoyed by a large part of the Melodic Rock and Metal community, but also by those who like their guitarist oriented music. He has found a good balance. This is decent in all respects, but just misses the qualities to make it exceptional. At least that is my opinion.
Line-Up:
Gus Handles - all guitar, bass and keyboards - see also: ex-Firewind, ex-Ozzy Osbourne
+ guests:
Doro Pesch (v on 2)
Matt Barlow (v on 3)
Ronnie Romero (v on 6, 8)
Dino 'Jelusick' Jelusić (v on 7)
Andrea Arcangeli (b on 6, 8)
Dennis Ward (b on 2)
Tracklist:
01. Steel Burner
02. Nothing Can Break Me (ft. Doro Pesch)
03. Dancing With Death (ft. Matt Barlow)
04. Advent
05. What If
06. Frenemy (ft. Ronnie Romero)
07. No One Has To Know (ft. Dino 'Jelusick' Jelusić)
08. Confession
09. My Premonition (ft. Ronnie Romero)
10. Closure
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
