Led by guitar virtuoso Gus G. (Ozzy Osbourne, Dream Evil) Greek power metal band Firewind has signed with Italian-based record label BLKIIBLK alongside undergoing some lineup changes.
After his departure in late 2019, vocalist Henning Basse is officially returning to the band. Basse’s history with the group goes back to 2007, when he first stepped in as a touring vocalist on the Allegiance tour, and later became a defining voice during Firewind’s post-hiatus era from 2016 to 2019, up until their Immortals album.
This follow in the wake of former vocalist Herbie Langhans stepping down from the role.
“We borrowed Herbie from Avantasia for as long as we could, but our schedules and needs kept clashing, with all the increasing touring obligations. We understand Herbie’s situation and we thank him for his time in the band, the awesome music we made together and wish him all the best”, the band commented.
Gus G. expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter, by saying: “We’re all very excited, as we commence work on the upcoming concept album that will be the biggest and most epic thing we’ve ever done. And for this, we couldn’t have imagined a better label partner other than Frontiers Records’ new imprint label, BLKIIBLK. We’re honoured to be label mates with metal titans such as Megadeth and Biohazard and we can’t wait to unleash the new music to the world. Please stay tuned for more details on that and we will be seeing you on the road in 2026!”
Aldo Lonobile, Head Of A&R Europe at Frontiers Label Group, added: “We are truly excited and proud to welcome Firewind to BLKIIBLK. Over the years, I’ve crossed paths with Gus G on several occasions, and now we finally have the opportunity to work more closely together. Beyond being one of my favourite guitar players, he is a brilliant songwriter, and Firewind have firmly established themselves as one of the most exciting metal acts in the scene. We can’t wait to be part of the next chapter in their career!”
Blazing a trail across the global metal scene for over two decades, Firewind stand as a pillar of modern melodic power metal. Combining anthemic choruses, dazzling guitar work, and soaring vocals, Firewind bridge the gap between classic heavy metal and modern power metal sensibilities. Their influences ranging from Rainbow and Judas Priest to Helloween and Symphony X.
The band’s discography includes standout releases like Allegiance (2006), The Premonition (2008), and Immortals (2017), each demonstrating Firewind’s knack for fusing melody and technical mastery. Their 2020 self-titled album marked a rebirth of sorts – introducing new vocalist Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Sinbreed) and delivering a heavier, more aggressive edge without sacrificing the band’s signature hooks.
At the centre of it all is Gus G., whose explosive yet lyrical guitar style has earned him global recognition and endorsements, from playing stadiums with Ozzy Osbourne to headlining clubs with Firewind. Known for his precision, tone, and deep-rooted love for heavy metal, Gus G. is both the heart and architect of Firewind’s sound
