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)
Losing My Mind
Firewind Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Every ordinary morning - This fucking pain you have to ease.
You can't find peace by avoiding life, I won't hand my head.
I won't breakdown.
When you have no remorse, things will turn around.
How does it feel when you're creeping on the ground?
Yeah! I'm losing my mind!
Yeah! I'm losing my mind!
Deal with all your demons and play your cards so goddamn right.
Keep your sanity and vision, you'll loose it all if you just hide!
And the devil may care and feel no shame
When you fall to despair things will stay the same!
How does it feel when you're creeping?
Yeah! I'm losing my mind!
Yeah! I'm losing my mind!
Well, I am hungry for life!
I don't know who I am, I don't know where I am!
I just wanna get rid of this burden before I'm gone
Forever gone!
Yeah! I'm losing my mind
Am I counting my days?
Yeah! I'm losing my mind!
That's just the way it goes.
Yeah1 I'm losing my mind!
I am hungry for life!
In Firewind's song Losing My Mind, the lyrics express feelings of hopelessness, desperation and a struggle to find peace in life. The line "Happiness dying slowly - Take life for what it is" is a commentary on how difficult it is to maintain happiness and that sometimes you have to accept life as it is, rather than trying to change everything. The singer then goes on to describe how every ordinary morning can feel like a painful experience they have to endure.
The next lines "You can't find peace by avoiding life, I won't hand my head. I won't breakdown" emphasizes the importance of facing problems head-on; running away from problems won't solve anything. The song also explores the idea that once you deal with your inner demons and play your cards right, things can turn around for the better. However, the devil doesn't care and will stay the same, no matter how much someone suffers. The chorus chants "Yeah! I'm losing my mind!" repeatedly, emphasizing the turmoil the singer is going through.
The line "I am hungry for life!" is a contrasting statement to the mood of the song. It suggests that despite the struggles, the singer hasn't given up and is still striving for the best that life has to offer. The song ends on a somber note with the lines "I don't know who I am, I don't know where I am! I just wanna get rid of this burden before I'm gone. Forever gone!" implying that the struggle is ongoing, and the weight of life can be overwhelming.
Line by Line Meaning
Happiness dying slowly
The feeling of joy is slowly fading away
Every ordinary morning
The daily struggle to cope with the pain
You can't find peace by avoiding life, I won't hand my head.
Trying to escape from reality is not the solution; I won't give up
I won't breakdown.
I won't let myself be defeated by the situation
When you have no remorse, things will turn around.
Lack of guilt will lead to consequences; karma will catch up
How does it feel when you're creeping on the ground?
How does it feel when being helpless and vulnerable?
Yeah! I'm losing my mind!
I am going insane!
Deal with all your demons and play your cards so goddamn right.
Face your inner struggles and make the right decisions
Keep your sanity and vision, you'll loose it all if you just hide!
Stay rational and clear-sighted; hiding from problems will only make things worse
And the devil may care and feel no shame When you fall to despair things will stay the same!
The consequences of your actions will remain the same, regardless of the devil's intentions
Well, I am hungry for life!
I am eager to experience all that life has to offer!
I don't know who I am, I don't know where I am!
Being lost and confused without direction or purpose
I just wanna get rid of this burden before I'm gone Forever gone!
Trying to free oneself from the weight of the world before departing forever
Am I counting my days?
Wondering if time is running out
That's just the way it goes.
Accepting that life can be unpredictable and unfair
Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.