Asfix

Not to be confused with the Athenian band ASFYX (one would like to guess both bands got their name from Peter Newbrook’s cult horror flick “The Asphyx”), ASFIX was formed in Chalcis (Central Greece) in 1994, playing an interesting hybrid of Metal, Punk and Rock with lyrics sung in Greek. Judging by the nature of their numerous compilation appearances, ASFIX were probably more closely aligned to the Punk movement. However, like many Greek Punk bands, ASFIX had plenty of metallic elements in their music.

Allegedly, the band released three demos in total, but the only one we’re aware of is their debut tape “Έξοδος Κινδύνου” (“Emergency Exit”) dating to 1996. At the time, ASFIX consisted of Dimitris Lalaios (vocals), Giorgios Kotsaris (guitars, backing vocals), Pavlos Zouganelis (guitars, vocals), Kostas Tsiligiannis (bass) and Valantis Kotsaris (drums). While not a 100% metallic offering, “Έξοδος Κινδύνου” definitely warrants inclusion in these archives. Take for example the band’s eponymous track “Ασφυξία”, which begins in a style oddly similar to the doomy rhythms of their namesakes in ASFYX, but soon develop into an underground Power/Thrash/Punk anthem with some very nice bass lines running below.

By the time of the band’s first full-length album “Δέκα Ευχές Πρίν Γεννηθείς” (“Ten Wishes Before You Are Born”) (2005), the style has shifted quite drastically towards Alternative Rock, so proceed with caution (or an open mind…) with this one.

Compilation appearances:
* Η Ώρα Του Κυκλώνα -Δυο- [Cass, Comp: Η Ώρα Του Κυκλώνα, 1996]
* Ωδή Στο Χάος [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1996]
* Chaos I - Hard Core 'N' Punk [CD, Comp: Live, 1997]
* Όραμα [Cass, Comp: Heavy – Rock Tapes, 1997]
* Το Ξύπνημα Vol. 2 [Cass, Comp: Underground Tapes, 1997]
* Ροκ Ιστορίες 4 [Cass, Comp: Underground Tapes, 2001]