Elsewhen

As the fond saying goes (at least around these quarters), the Greek Heavy Metal underground of the 1990s spawned a lot of promising acts who deserve our attention. However, some bands were more promising than others and to this latter category we must add the mighty talented Salonican Progressive Metal quartet ELSEWHEN. Not only did they possess very respectable technical chops (just have a look at their recorded “jam” session available on Youtube), they also had the creativity and skill to write highly memorable and enduring songs – a rare feat in their genre of choice, some would say.

Founded in Thessaloniki back in the Spring of 1994 – originally under the moniker of SHIPMATES – the band performed two concerts before changing their name to ELSEWHEN. Back then, the quartet consisted of Stavros/Steve “St. John” B. (guitars), Fotis “Sheriff” Toumanides (bass, keyboards – EMERALD SUN), Menelaos Tagdalides (drums – GREY HAVEN) along with a singer we currently haven’t been able to identify. After the aforementioned concerts (the first in Serres on 30th December 1994 with ESCAPE, HORIZON’S END and STILL HEAVEN and the second in Thessaloniki on 19th March 1995 with ESCAPE, HORIZON’S END and PANDEMONIUM) and sifting through at least three different vocalists, the band changed their name to ELSEWHEN and finally settled into their “classic” lineup with Stavros, Fotis and Menelaos being joined by Christos Giovanopoulos (vocals) as front man.

With the new in place, another live performance took place in Thessaloniki on 17th December 1995 (this time with ESCAPE and MEDIVIAL) and the band entered the studio to produce their debut recording at Rock Sound Studio (Thessaloniki). The tape was originally intended as a promotional tape but was, allegedly, later distributed to the public as well because of overwhelming positive response. This might explain the current confusion in the band’s discography, as there are two very similar releases, featuring the same set of songs but in different order. To add further confusion, the band subsequently renamed some of these compositions when presented on later releases. More importantly though is the quality of the material included. With songs like “Shipmates”, “Alienation” and the monumental “Dancers at the Edge of Time”, ELSEWHEN proved it possible that Progressive Metal can be both technically proficient, catchy and musically engaging at the same time. Many of their colleagues would sell their souls to be able to write such glorious hooks as the one included in the band’s arguably most well-known track “Dancers at the Edge of Time”!

To be continued…

Compilation appearances: