Bob Katsionis

Babis "Bob" Katsionis (Greek: Μπάμπης Κατσιώνης; born February 17, 1977, in Athens, Greece) is 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 due to personal reasons.[1] He is considered to be Greece's most successful rock/metal keyboard player, being 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. 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]

Bob Katsionis
Bob Katsionis performing live in 2012
Bob Katsionis performing live in 2012
Background information
Birth nameCharalambos Katsionis
Born (1977-02-17) February 17, 1977
OriginAthens, Greece
GenresHeavy metal, neo-classical, progressive metal, power metal
Occupation(s)Musician (keyboardist)
Instrument(s)Keyboard, guitar
Years active1996–present
Websitesymmetricrecords.bandcamp.com/artists

Appearances

Katsionis 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]

Bob Katsionis performing live in 2007.

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
  • Warrior Path [7]
  • Outloud
  • Serious Black
  • Stray Gods

Past bands and/or projects
  • 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

Firewind

Outloud
  • 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
  • Warrior Path (2019)
  • The Mad KIng (2021)

Stray Gods
  • Storm The Walls (2021)
  • Olympus (2023)

Serious Black
  • MirrorWorld (2016)
  • Magic (2017)
  • Vengeance Is Mine (2022)

Imaginary
  • Oceans Divine (2001)
  • Long Lost Pride (2005)[4]

Nightfall

Star Queen
  • Faithbringer (2002)[14]

Bob Katsionis

References
  1. "Bob Katsionis and Henning Basse Parted Ways With Firewind". 10 March 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  2. "Artists | Symmetric Records". Symmetricrecords.bandcamp.com. 2018-02-03. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  3. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Biography-Firewind". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  4. Viglione, Joe. "Review Long Lost Pride". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  5. "The Official MySpace of Bob Kastionis". MySpace. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  6. https://www.facebook.com/seriousblackofficial/posts/1580184988892833:0
  7. "Warrior Path". Warriorpath.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  8. "Credits Forged by Fire". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  9. "Credits Allegiance". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  10. "Credits The Premonition". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  11. "Overview Outloud". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  12. "More Catastrophe E.P". Archived from the original on 2012-07-30.
  13. "Credits Lyssa: Rural Gods And Astonishing Punishments". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  14. "Credits Faithbringer". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  15. "Overview Imaginary Force". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
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