The demo attracted the attention of Leviathan Records, but activity was put on hold when Gus was hired by Dream Evil and Mystic Prophecy.
After the release of his other bands' debut albums, Gus' attention returned to the Firewind project. Only he remained from the original formation - Leviathan owner David T. Chastain brought in vocalist Stephen Fredrick and drummer Brian Harris (both ex-Kenziner), while Gus enlisted the help of bassist Konstantine, a fellow Greek. this line-up recorded the debut album Between Heaven and Hell.
In 2003, new changes were instituted as Norwegian drummer Stian Kristoffersen and Greek bassist Petros Christo joined the band. Harris and Konstantine had been replaced as Gus was looking for a more permanent rhythm section that was prepared to tour. This line-up recorded Burning Earth and went on a tour of Japan with Rob Rock, but without vocalist Stephen Fredrick, who was not prepared to go on the road (despite prior guarantees to the contrary). His replacement on the Burning the Earth Tour, the Sri Lankan singer Chitral 'Chity' Somapala, was given the job full-time. Fellow touring member Bob Katsionis was also hired permanently to play keyboards. Firewind got a worldwide deal with Century Media by the end of that year.
This line-up recorded the album Forged By Fire, but a few months after the release, Chity left due to personal and musical differences with the rest of the band. When his replacement, Apollo Papathanasio of Time Requiem, was found, it was also announced that Stian Kristoffersen would be leaving, to be replaced with the veteran Mark Cross. The reason for the split was that Gus wanted to have a set of Greek-based musicians willing to make Firewind their number one priority (probably to end the virtual revolving door of members) and Stian's main band was the Norwegian outfit Pagan's Mind. Gus also left his roles in Dream Evil, Mystic Prophecy and Nightrage between 2004 and 2006.
This new line-up recorded the album Allegiance, which was released in July 2006.
During November - December 2006, they toured the UK supporting Dragonforce with All That Remains.
In 2009, Gus G. became Ozzy Osbourne's guitar player.
In 2010 Apollo became the new Spiritual Beggars frontman.
In 2010, Michael Ehre replaced drummer Mark Cross.
In 2010, Michael Ehre left and was replaced by Johan Nunez (also Nightrage)
Line-up
* Herbie Langhans - Vocals (also Avantasia and Radiant)
* Gus G. (Kostas Karamitroudis) - Guitars (formerly Keyboards)
* Petros Christo - Bass
* Johan Nunez - Drums (also Nightrage)
Former members
* Brandon Pender - Vocals (1998)
* Stephen Fredrick - Vocals (2001-2003)
* Chitral Somapala - Vocals (2004-2005)
*Apollo Papathanasio - Vocals (2005-2013)
*Henning Basse - Vocals (2015-2020)
* Bob Katsionis - Keyboards, live Guitar (2004-2020)
* Konstantine (Kostas Exarhakis) - Bass (2001-2003)
* Matt Scurfield - Drums (1998)
* Brian Harris - Drums (2001-2003)
* Stian L. Kristoffersen - Drums (2003-2005)
* Mark Cross - Drums (2005 - 2010)
* Michael Ehre - Drums (2010)
Discography
* Nocturnal Symphony (Demo, 1998)
* Between Heaven and Hell (2002)
* Burning Earth (2003)
* Forged By Fire (2005)
* Allegiance (2006)
* The Premonition (2008)
*Days of Defiance (2010)
*Few Against Many (2012)
*Immortals (2017)
*Firewind (2020)
Angels Forgive Me
Firewind Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I was really blinded
By the lightning
Everything was black
I fell down wounded
Didn't have the strength
To raise my spirit
Couldn't keep my head up high
So much at stake in here
Can't you hide into water
Fall into despair
One life, one minute
Everything will change your spirit
No one seems to care
Angels forgive me
There is no return
Oh there is no return
No return
I just surrender
Slowing down my life
It wasn't easy
Tried to raise my voice
But I'm still haunted
By a thousand ghosts
And now I'm drowning
Flashes of the past
So much at stake in here
Can't you hide into water
Fall into despair
One life, one minute
Everything will change your spirit
No one seems to care
Oh angels forgive me
Forgive me
I close my eyes
-Solos-
Fall into despair
One life (one life), one minute
Everything will change your spirit
No one seems to care
Oh angels forgive me
There is no return
Fall into despair (fall into despair)
One life (one life), one minute (one minute)
Everything will change your spirit
No one seems to care
Oh angels please forgive me
There is no return
Oh there is no return
Angels forgive me
Forgive me
The lyrics to "Angels Forgive Me" by Firewind explore themes of despair, regret, and the desire for forgiveness. The singer reflects on their past mistakes and the struggles they faced, recalling a time when they were "blinded by the lightning" and "everything was black." They describe feeling wounded and unable to "keep [their] head up high," and express a sense of hopelessness and longing for redemption. Throughout the song, the singer implores the angels to forgive them for their wrongdoing and acknowledges that there may be no way to undo the damage that has been done.
The chorus emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most out of every moment: "One life, one minute, everything will change your spirit / No one seems to care." The singer recognizes that they cannot change the past or undo the mistakes they have made, but still holds out hope for a brighter future. The guitar solos in the song add to the emotional intensity, capturing the feelings of desperation and longing expressed in the lyrics.
Overall, "Angels Forgive Me" is a powerful exploration of human frailty and the search for redemption. It speaks to the universal experience of facing one's own flaws and failures, and the desire to make amends and start anew.
Line by Line Meaning
I can remember
I am looking back on my past experiences
When I was really blinded
I was unable to see things clearly
By the lightning
I was struck by something intense and powerful
Everything was black
I was in a state of darkness and hopelessness
I fell down wounded
I experienced pain and was left feeling helpless
Didn't have the strength
I lacked the mental, emotional or physical ability to overcome my struggles
To raise my spirit
I was unable to find any hope or courage
Couldn't keep my head up high
I was unable to stay positive or optimistic
So much at stake in here
There is a lot of importance in what is happening
Can't you hide into water
Can't you escape from the situation by avoiding it or finding a safe place
Fall into despair
Find myself in a state of hopelessness and sadness
One life, one minute
Life can change in an instant or with one decision
Everything will change your spirit
Experiences can leave an emotional or mental impact on you
No one seems to care
I feel like no one is there for me or understands my struggles
Angels forgive me
Asking for mercy and forgiveness from a higher power
There is no return
There is no way for me to undo what has been done or change the past
I just surrender
I give in to my current state, feeling like I have no control
Slowing down my life
Taking it easy or slowing down the pace of my life
It wasn't easy
Overcoming my struggles was difficult and challenging
Tried to raise my voice
I attempted to speak up for myself or defend my views, but was not successful
But I'm still haunted
I am still struggling with negative emotions or memories
By a thousand ghosts
Struggling with many past traumas or negative experiences
And now I'm drowning
Feeling overwhelmed and like I am unable to escape my struggles
Flashes of the past
Recurring memories or thoughts of past experiences
Forgive me
Asking for forgiveness
I close my eyes
Choosing to ignore or forget about the struggles I am facing
Fall into despair (fall into despair)
Sometimes feeling hopeless and desperate for a way out
Oh angels please forgive me
Asking for forgiveness from a divine source
Contributed by Addison P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.