16 Years of History
of the Greek metal band Distorted Force
2008 – 2011: Formation, early years, and First Era
Distorted Force was formed in Thessaloniki, Greece in September of 2008. A few months earlier, guitarist Nikos Felekis placed flyers in International Hellenic University and some conservatories in Kalamaria, Greece which read: "Drummer Wanted. Influences: Metallica, Iron Maiden, Firewind" and others which read "Guitarist Wanted" respectively. Drummer Euripides Syrganidis, and a few months later guitarist Alexandros Stroumtsas answered the advertisement.
The band name came from friend (and future guitarist) of the band Nikos Hatjigogos who suggested "Distorted" as a simple and straightforward option.
During the band’s brainstorming process which took place in a winery after a rehearsal, guitarist Alexandros Stroumtsas insisted that the band’s name should end with "Force".
The band members decided to combine these two ideas, and the name "Distorted Force" came to be.
In spring of 2009 Distorted Force recorded their first demo track, covering Black Sabbath’s "Paranoid". In autumn of 2009 the band performed its first live performance at Papagalos Rock Bar, followed by several live performances at Funkey Bar, in which they met their future bassist and lead singer.
In summer of 2010, drummer Euripides Syrganidis left Thessaloniki temporarily to take care of personal matters at his island of origin, Syros. The rest of the band members were not willing to stay inactive for this meantime, so they hired Thomas Karamihalis a seasonal drummer. By that time, the group performed their first major live show in Eightball Club Live Stage, receiving positive reviews from the local press. The group developed great chemistry with seasonal drummer Thomas Karamihalis, leading to ending its collaboration with Euripides Syrganidis and including Thomas Karamihalis as a full-time drummer of the band.
A few months later, in autumn of 2010, Distorted Force recorded its first short length self-titled album "Distorted Force", at Revolver Studio, in Thessaloniki, featuring three original songs and three covers: Black Sabbath’s "Paranoid", Danzig’s "Mother" and Dio’s "Holy Diver". The album led to conversations with Greek label Secret Port Records without the two parties coming in an agreement.
In late 2010, the lead singer of the band moved to Montpellier to pursue a career as a band manager. Distorted Force hired seasonal singer Maria Krommyda to fill the position with an one-year agreement. Two more live shows followed at Eightball Club Live Stage and Harley Bar respectively. On October 10th, 2010, Distorted Force performed its first live show in Athens, at An Live Club and in November 2010, performed as supporting act of the Greek famous comedy metal band "Anorimoi".
In spring of 2011, the band recorded its second album titled "A Dead Man’s Dream", showing influences from British rock bands "Anathema" and "Porcupine Tree". The title track stood out, being the most well-known track of Distorted Force for several years to come.
In October 2011, the band performed its first live show abroad, at Kingston Live Stage, in Limassol, Cyprus. After two back-to-back performances on October 8th and 9th respectively, the band returned to Greece to reconsider their future steps. Severe disagreements regarding working procedures and noticeable character conflicts led to the with drawal of the bassist and the lead singer of the band, with the first one being fired, and the latter resigning. A few weeks later, Distorted Force hired Nikos Sfoungaros to fill the position of the lead vocalist and Agatha Atsi as a bassist. Several shows followed, including the band’s first live show in the city of Ioannina, in December of the same year.
2012 – 2015: Second Era and Fragmentation
Distorted Force recorded its third work, short-length album "Depersonalization" in autumn of 2012, featuring growl vocals for the first time in its course so far.
The band performed four more shows during 2012, all at Eightball Club Live stage, in their hometown of Thessaloniki. Vocalist Kostas Jiumakas joined the band in late 2012, creating a duo of both clean and brutal vocals with co-singer Nikos Sfoungaros.
In early 2013, enhanced with the addition of keyboardist Achilleas Adamidis, Distorted Force recorded its fourth album "Fields in Desolation", showing progressive metal elements mixed with its established heavy metal basis. Title track "Fields in Desolation", alongside with "Burning Seas" stood out, leading to a new direction of the group’s perception on composing. In April 2013, Distorted Force participated in the Str8 Forward Auditions contest, achieving second place. For the rest of 2013, the band performed seven more shows in various venues.
"Fields in Desolation" Album 2013
In spring of 2014 the band terminated its collaboration with bassist Agatha Atsi on good terms and proceeded to hire Katerina Milona to fill the position. A few months later, long-time guitarist and founding member of the band, Alexandros Stroumtsas was fired due to lack of consistency.
The band participated again in the Str8 Forward Auditions contest, achieving second place again. During the summer of 2014, after performing the only show of that year, Distorted Force recorded its fifth album "Taken by Force". The title track was again the one to stand-out, alongside with "Shades & Reeks" which is included in the album in both full-band and acoustic version. In late summer of 2014, and after the completion of the recording process, the band terminated its cooperation with lead singer Kostas Jiumakas on good terms as well. A few weeks later, keyboardist Achilleas Adamidis resigned to pursue his solo career as a movie composer. Not long after Achilleas Adamidis’s resignation, Distorted Force hired Marios Ioannidis to fill the keyboardist position. After a long mixing and mastering process, "Taken by Force" would be released in December 2014.
"Taken by Force" Album 2014
The last show of this line-up was performed in January of 2015. A few months later, long-time drummer of the band Thomas Karamihalis flew to Esslingen, Germany, and long-time lead singer Nikos Sfoungaros moved to Newcastle, UK, both to pursue professional advancement.
Founder member and main composer of the band Nikos Felekis joined the mandatory service in the Greek army and bassist Katerina Milona resigned, altogether, leading to the complete fragmentation of the band’s line-up.
2016 – 2020: Third Era and "Curves of Sidereal Cosmos"
In late summer of 2016 Nikos Felekis incorporated guitarist Nick Hatjigogos, bassist
Thanos Pallidis, drummer Chris Tupa, and a few months later, lead singer Spiros Emmanouilidis. The new members performed their first live show on December 2016, at Eightball Club Live Stage.
In 2017, the band performed seven shows in Thessaloniki and completed the recordings of their next album "Curves of Sidereal Cosmos" which was released in May 2018, gathering positive reviews worldwide. The opening track of the album "Barrows of Doom", alongside with "Tumulus" were widely embraced by Distorted Force’s fanbase, while critics aroused the final track of the album, Edgar Allan Poe’s "Raven" set music, into a 21-minute piece.
"Curves of Sidereal Cosmos" was the first concept album of the band, narrating a Lovecraft-like survival story, showing heavy influences from the horror fiction literature genre.
"Curves of Sidereal Cosmos" Album 2018
In early 2018, drummer Chris Tupa resigned, and Markos Diamantopoulos filled the spot. During that year Distorted Force performed six more shows, including the band’s first appearance in the city of Volos, a ten-year anniversary show, and the last show of 2018 being at Metal Gates Festival in Bucharest, Romania, as a supporting act to Draconian.
In 2019 the band performed its final show in Berlin, Germany.
In late 2019, bassist Thanos Pallidis resigned, followed by guitarist Nick Hatjigogos a few months later, in early 2020.
2021 – present: "Angelic Bloodshed" and Soman Records
The remaining members completed the recordings of their next album in early 2022. The mixing and mastering process lasted several months, whilst K.S Artist Promotion took over the band’s promotional responsibilities. In early summer of 2023, the band struck a deal with the French "Soman Records" which took over the production of the album.
"Angelic Bloodshed" was released in May 2023 under the French label gathering flattering reviews worldwide regarding its technical complexity and its bold approach to composition. Distorted Force decided a different direction for "Angelic Bloodshed", in comparison with the concept of the previous "Curves of Sidereal Cosmos", making it thematic, with each track being a standalone story. The tracks "Desert", "Machine" and "Approaching Event Horizon" stood out and were warmly received from the band’s fanbase.
"Angelic Bloodshed" Album 2023
In an interview on the Greek National Radio ERT, band’s guitarist Nikos Felekis stated that Distorted Force will begin working on the next album in autumn of 2024.
Band: Distorted Force
Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
Genres: Progressive / Heavy Metal
Years active: 2008 – present
Label: Soman Records
Discography:
Distorted Force (2010)
A Dead Man’s Dream (2011)
Depersonalization (2012)
Fields in Desolation (2013)
Taken by Force (2014)
Curves of Sidereal Cosmos (2018)
Angelic Bloodshed (2023)
Current members:
Nikos Felekis - Lead Guitar (2008-present)
Marios Ioannidis - Keyboard (2014-present)
Spiros Emmanouilidis - Lead Vocals (2017-present)
Markos Diamantopoulos - Drums (2018-present)
John Thanopoulos - Bass (2023-present)
Former members:
Euripides Syrganidis - Drums (2008-2010)
Alexandros Stroumtsas - Rythm Guitar (2008-2014)
Tasos Papadopoulos - Bass (2009-2011)
Thomas Karamihalis - Drums (2010-2015)
Nikos Sfoungaros - Lead Vocals (2011-2015)
Agathi Atsi - Bass (2011-2014)
Kostas Jiumakas - Lead Vocals (2012-2014)
Achilleas Adamidis - Keyboard (2013-2014)
Katerina Milona - Bass (2014-2015)
Nick Hatjigogos - Rythm Guitar (2016-2020)
Thanos Pallidis - Bass (2016-2019)
Chris Tupa - Drums (2016-2018)
***
With the official permission of Nikos Felekis
and Distorted Force
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