Guitar virtuoso GUS G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as OZZY OSBOURNE’s guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, is proud to announce the March 18, 2014 release of his debut solo album ‘I AM THE FIRE’ in North America. The album will be released internationally on Century Media Records, and will come out March 17 in Europe.

A first song from the album can now be heard via the video for the album’s opening track “My Will Be Done (featuring Mats Levén)”, which was produced by Patric Ullaeus /revolver.se [Within Temptation, In Flames, Lacuna Coil]. You can watch the video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPqtMMGJAO4&feature=youtu.be.

Says GUS G. of the song and album: “I hope you all enjoy the first taste of things to come. ‘My Will Be Done’ is a cool rock track with a modern edge to it… Looking back, I can’t believe all the great musicians that got on board for this album. Everybody brought in their unmistakable style and talent and they really lifted the songs! Check it out and enjoy the music!”

 

GUS G. will be attending the 2014 NAMM convention, which runs January 23 – 26, 2014, in Anaheim, CA. In addition to signing sessions at ESP Guitars [January 24, 2pm] and Blackstar Amps [January 25, 1pm], Gus will also appear as guest at the RANDY RHOADS REMEMBERED tribute concert at The Observatory in Santa Ana, January 25. Other guests include Nuno Bettencourt [Extreme / Rihanna], Phil Demmel [Machine Head], Marty Friedmann, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal [Guns N’ Roses] and more.

 

Gus handles all guitar, bass and keyboards on ‘I AM THE FIRE’, and is joined by a roster of friends and guests that help bring his vision to fruition: drummers JEFF FRIEDL [A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, Devo] and DANIEL ERLANDSSON [Arch Enemy], bassists DAVID ELLEFSON [Megadeth], BILLY SHEEHAN [Mr. Big, David Lee Roth] and MARTY O’BRIEN [Tommy Lee, We Are The Fallen], and vocalists MATS LEVEN [Clandesmass, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen/Therion], BLAKE ALLISON [Devour The Day], MICHAEL STARR [Steel Panther], ALEXIA RODRIGUEZ [Eyes Set To Kill], TOM S. ENGLUND [Evergrey], JACOB BUNTON [Adler] and JEFF SCOTT SOTO [Trans-Siberian Orchestra, ex-Journey].

 

‘I AM THE FIRE’ was mixed by Jay Ruston [Anthrax, Stone Sour, Steel Panther] and was recorded between Los Angeles and Gus’ home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. A few of the album’s tracks include “Eyes Wide Open,” “Redemption,” “End Of The Line” and “Blame It On Me.” The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey and opening doors to GUS G.’s soulful playing.

The album’s first commercial single – title track “I Am The Fire (featuring DEVOUR THE DAY)” – will be released digitally February 25 in North America.

 

GUS G. has had an amazing rise within the worldwide rock and metal scenes and has amassed an impressive body of work, both in studio and touring. He emerged as an up-and-coming talent with the groups DREAM EVIL [Sweden], MYSTIC PROPHECY [German] and NIGHTRAGE [Greece], but it is his work with his own band FIREWIND (who have released seven studio albums and two live releases) and as a member of OZZY OSBOURNE’s band that have helped him emerge as one of the world’s top metal and rock guitarists. His work on OZZY’s ‘Scream’ album led to a Grammy nomination in 2010, and his list of accolades includes Guitar Player Magazine’s Best Metal Guitarist, the Dimebag Darrell Shredder award at the Metal Hammer UK Golden Gods Awards, and Metal Hammer Greece Best Guitarist on four separate occasions.