Brainfade

Founded in Athens back in 1991 by core members Manolis Mamas (guitars - KINETIC) and Michael Vazaios (drums) as an US-styled Thrash Metal act, BRAINFADE would – after several line-up changes, military service, etc. – eventually morph into one of Greece’s finest Power/Speed/Thrash outfits of the 1990s. The key to their success, as witnessed on 1994’s demo debut tape “At Last” had much to do with the strong, punishing rhythm section courtesy of Stahtis Lontos (bass) and Michael Vazaios, combined with the melodic finesse of guitarists Jimmy Raptis and Manolis Mamas as well as the “almost out of control yet brilliant” contribution of Jim Sirgiannis (vocals – MYSTERY, SORROWFUL WINDS).

After receiving praise from both fans and fanzines for “At Lasat”, as well as making their presence on numerous compilation tapes, BRAINFADE kept going strong through a bunch of celebrated live performances. At some point though, things got problematic and the band passed through several member shifts, before recording their next work, which was a promo tape entitled simply “Promo 96”. Unfortunately, this release has eluded us so far, so no further comments at this point. However, another single track would eventually see the light of day, distributed via both national and international compilation CDs. “Book of Blood”, as it was called, witnessed a change in style towards a heavier and mid-paced direction. In addition to penning original material, BRAINFADE also made it onto Metal Invader’s BATHORY tribute compilation, released in 1997.

Allegedly, there were plans of a full-length album as well, but nothing tangible seems to have come out of it and the band seem to have folded around the millennium. Several of the Brainfaders subsequently founded a new band called KINETIC which appears to remain active to this day.

Compilation appearances:
* Total “Holocaust” Comp. (Vol. II) [Cass, Comp: Self-released, 1994]
* Thrash Metal [Cass, Comp, Numbered: Heavy – Rock Tapes, 1995]
* Underground Tapes Vol. 1 [Cass, Comp: Underground Tapes, 1995]
* Bathory Tribute – Hellas Salutes the Vikings [Metal Invader, 1997]
* Metal Crusade Vol. II [CD, Comp: Heavy, 2001]
* Warzone XX [CD, Comp: Metal Invader, 2001?]
* Hellenic Forces Compilation Vol. 3 [CD, Comp: Hellenic Forces Fanzine, 2009]