Babis "Bob" Katsionis (Greek: Μπάμπης Κατσιώνης; born February 17, 1977, in Athens, Greece) is a Greek guitarist and keyboardist and the lead guitarist and keyboard player for the heavy metal/power metal bands Stray Gods, Warrior Path, Outloud, and Serious Black; until recently he was part of Firewind but as of 2020 he has since left for personal reasons.[1] He is the only musician to ever win the same category "Best Keyboardist" in Greek Metal Hammer's Annual Readers' Polls for 5 years in a row (2006–2011). He is founder of Progressive Vision Group, a videoclip making company, which has produced more than 230 videos for rock and metal artists since 2002.
Bob Katsionis | |
|---|---|
 Bob Katsionis performing live in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Charalambos Katsionis |
| Born | February 17, 1977 |
| Origin | Athens, Greece |
| Genres | Heavy metal, neo-classical, progressive metal, power metal |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboard, guitar |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Website | symmetricrecords |
In 2014 he started his own records label "Symmetric Records" to help bands and artists he produced/worked with in Sound Symmetry Studio release their works. To date, Symmetric Records has 14 official releases, with Warrior Path's "The Mad King" being the most successful.[2]
Appearances
editKatsionis has appeared in various small-time bands over the years (Skyward, Retrospect etc.), most of them projects he developed himself, before gaining more recognition with the likes of Firewind[3] and Outloud.[4]
He started playing keyboards when he was 10 years old and, four years later, began learning guitar. Bob cites Kevin Moore, Jens Johansson and Keith Emerson as his main keyboard influences. As well as playing keyboards, Bob is also a seven string guitar player and has played both instruments in his various bands. For instance, when Firewind play live, he performs in a dual role as keyboard player or rhythm guitarist (or both), depending on the song. He uses a standard six-string guitar in these circumstances. Bob also has released three instrumental albums with his solo project resembling mostly jazzy neo-classical/progressive metal.[5] and has also joined his idol's Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius) band Revolution Renaissance for the recording of their album "Trinity" without making any live appearances.
He released his 4th solo album titled "Rest In Keys" in December 2012, followed by "Prognosis & Synopsis" (2016) and the experimental album titled "Amadeus Street Warrior" which was a 16-bit fictional game soundtrack.
After Bob filled in live for Roland Grapow on their tour with Hammerfall (January–February 2015), Serious Black announced him as a full-time member in February 2015.[6]
Bands currently featuring Bob Katsionis
edit- Warrior Path [7]
- Outloud
- Serious Black
- Stray Gods
Past bands and/or projects
edit- Firewind
- Revolution Renaissance
- Kamelot (as co-writer)
- Nightfall
- Septic Flesh
- Warrior Path
- Wonders (ITA)
- Validor (GR)
- Casus Belli
- Suicidal Angels (as guest, on Torment Payback)
- Scar Of The Sun (as guest and co-writer)
- Keado Mores (as guest and producer)
- Encomium
- Fatal Morgana (guest for Rock Of Gods 1996 Festival)
- Imaginary
- Power Quest (as guest)
- Eldritch (as guest)
- NTX (Greek crossover band Nipto Tas Xeiras)
- Battleroar (as guest)
- Skyward (later became Retrospect)
- Mirage (later became Imaginary)
- Eternal Voyager (as guest)
- Tragedian (as guest on "Casting Shadows" on the album Unholy Divine)
Discography
editFirewind
edit- Forged By Fire (2005)[8]
- Allegiance (2006)[9]
- The Premonition (2008)[10]
- Days of Defiance (2010)
- Few Against Many (2012)
- Immortals (2017)
Outloud
edit- We'll Rock You To Hell and Back Again (2009)
- Love Catastrophe (2011)[11]
- More Catastrophe E.P (2012)[12]
- Let's Get Serious (2014)
- Destination: Overdrive (The Best of Outloud) (2017)
- Virtual Hero Society (2018)
Warrior Path
edit- Warrior Path (2019)
- The Mad KIng (2021)
Stray Gods
edit- Storm The Walls (2021)
- Olympus (2023)
Serious Black
edit- MirrorWorld (2016)
- Magic (2017)
- Vengeance Is Mine (2022)
Imaginary
edit- Oceans Divine (2001)
- Long Lost Pride (2005)[4]
Nightfall
edit- I am Jesus (Black Lotus records) 2002
- Lyssa: Rural Gods And Astonishing Punishments (2004)[13]
Star Queen
edit- Faithbringer (2002)[14]
Bob Katsionis
edit- Turn Of My Century (2002)
- Imaginary Force (2004)[15]
- Noemon (2008)
- Rest in Keys (2012)
- Prognosis & Synopsis (2018)
- Amadeus Street Warrior (2020)
References
edit- ^ "Bob Katsionis and Henning Basse Parted Ways With Firewind". 10 March 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
- ^ "Artists | Symmetric Records". Symmetricrecords.bandcamp.com. 2018-02-03. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
- ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Biography-Firewind". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.[dead link]
- ^ a b Viglione, Joe. "Review Long Lost Pride". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ "The Official MySpace of Bob Kastionis". MySpace. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/seriousblackofficial/posts/1580184988892833:0 [user-generated source]
- ^ "Warrior Path". Warriorpath.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
- ^ "Credits Forged by Fire". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ "Credits Allegiance". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ "Credits The Premonition". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ "Overview Outloud". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ "More Catastrophe E.P". Archived from the original on 2012-07-30.
- ^ "Credits Lyssa: Rural Gods And Astonishing Punishments". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ "Credits Faithbringer". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ "Overview Imaginary Force". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.