01/16/2013 20:06

Firewind

Firewind split with vocalist

Melodic metallers Firewind have announced Kelly Sundown Carpenter (Adagio, Beyond Twilight, etc.) as new vocalist for their upcoming North American touring activities, after longterm vocalist Apollo Papathanasio parted ways with the band. Even though Papathanasio has been temporarily replaced for some touring activities in the past, he has appeared on all Firewind releases since 2006's 'Allegiance' album and the band's upcoming live-album will feature recordings from his recent final shows with the group.

Firewind have checked in to comment the news as follows:

"Today we are in the unfortunate position to announce that Apollo has decided to step down permanently from the vocal duties in Firewind.

For the past few years it was evident that Apollo could not keep up with Firewind's ever growing and demanding touring & promotional schedule. Several times we've had to recruit replacements in order to continue touring the world and keep playing for our fans. We're lucky enough to have worked with some of the best metal singers out there!

Although we're sad to announce Apollo's departure and we sure will miss him, at the same time we feel that the show must go on! Firewind is a band that has gone thru lots of ups and downs the past 10 years, but is still going strong!

With that said, we're happy to announce that Kelly Sundown Carpenter (Adagio, Beyond Twilight, Darkology) will be singing for us on the upcoming N. American tour with Turisas! This guy's a phenomenal singer and we can't wait to get out there and Rock!

We're looking forward to our return in America. See you all soon!"

Firewind wrapped up 2012 with 4 packed club-shows in their native Greece, commencing the celebration of the band's 10th Anniversary of existence and entered studios in order to mix recordings from their 'Few Against Many' live-campaign for an upcoming live album, scheduled to be released before the summer of 2013.

Here is a list of all next Firewind live-dates revealed so far:

TURISAS + FIREWIND & STOLEN BABIES:
"Guards of Glory - North American Tour 2013”
02.02.2013 Jacksonville, FL - Roc Bar
03.02.2013 Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
05.02.2013 Richmond, VA - Empire
06.02.2013 New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
07.02.2013 Worcester, MA - The Palladium
08.02.2013 Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Électriques
09.02.2013 Toronto, ON - The Mod Club
10.02.2013 Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
11.02.2013 Cleveland, OH - Peabody's Downunder
13.02.2013 Minneapolis, MN - Mill City Nights
15.12.2013 Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre
16.02.2013 Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
18.02.2013 Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
19.02.2013 Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret
20.12.2013 Portland, OR - Branx
21.02.2013 Oakland, CA - Oakland Metro Operahouse
22.02.2013 West Hollywood, CA - Key Club
23.02.2013 Santa Ana, CA - The Constellation Room
25.02.2013 Tempe, AZ - 910 Live
28.02.2013 Dallas, TX - The Door
01.03.2013 San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
02.03.2013 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
04.03.2013 Orlando, FL - The Social
05.03.2013 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
06.03.2013 Tampa, FL - State Theatre

FIREWIND @ European Festivals 2013:
14.04.2013 Mons (Belgium) - PPM Fest http://www.ppmfest.com
27.04.2013 Dortmund (Germany) - Rock in den Ruinen / www.rock-in-den-ruinen.com
05.05.-12.05.2013 Full Metal Cruise (DE/UK/F/NL) / www.full-metal-cruise.com
05.06.-08.06.2013 Sölvesborg (Sweden) – Sweden Rock Festival / www.swedenrock.com
08.08 2013 Derbyshire (UK) – Bloodstock Open Air www.bloodstock.uk.com
15.08.2013 Dinkelsbühl (Germany) - Summer Breeze Open Air / www.summer-breeze.de

(source: Century Media)