Reflection, greek based and incredible popular in their native country as well as some underground arenas. I honestly hadn't heard a note from these greeks before Theodosis, Secret Port boss, ensured me most of the SP releases. I even bought the picture disc of "The fire still burns...". I truly like this band, but more now than earlier. I did struggle a bit in getting used to the wholeness offered by Reflection. But as I charged the disc over and over again, it grew on me. Especially the last four tracks. I got a hold of the bands first release, not considering the first two demos, "The Sire of the storm"; a seven incher which promoted the band as a very traditional metal act. Back in 1999, Reflection gave us the first full-length album, "Fire still burns...", which was re-recorded and re-released by Secret Port in 2001. Between these two offerings, a split release saw the light without me knowing too much about that one. Probably will though, after tormenting the guys with my questions. A new project is in the process of being launched, but this conceptual based (regarding the Odyssey myth) future album, is being stalled I think. Why go on with all these hypotheses when the dudes can confirm and answer all my foggy speculations?...yes, lets contact the greek mythologists and see what this band is all about.

<Greetings fellow metalheads! I start this session by offending you guys; why haven't the band managed to break out of the Greek market, kicking the ass throughout the international metal world? Because I see no reasons why you shouldn't do just that. With such a strong following in the homebased metal community there's bound to be someone out there with enough conviction and guts to push you guys.

-Hello my good friend. First of all let me tell you that there is no offence in your question. We are not professional musicians and we play this music because it's our life. We do not believe that we are going to sell millions of record like the Holy Monsters of Heavy Metal in the '80s (Scorpions, Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Wasp, Twisted Sister, etc). Heavy Metal is almost dead in our times and only a bunch of underground bands keep the faith alive. I do not believe that the modern metal waves have to do with Heavy Metal. The magazines in Hellas totally ignores us therefore it's easy to see why, not only us, but also all the Heavy/Epic Metal bands will not have the opportunity to sell many records.

<I really liked the "The fire still burns..." piece, and found the "Children of
war", "Fire and steel" as well as the "Fire" tracks to be of high quality. But there are differences on the two versions...the "First day of November" disappeared when Theodosis released it, and the "Before the end", "Fire and steel" and the "Children of war" tracks appeared as newcomers. Why this change of setlist? I guess it may have something to do with the time aspect between the two editions?

-Ok let me tell you the whole story about "The Fire Still Burns" albums!!! After the success of "The Sire Of The Storm" 7" Single EP, we decided to record a promo tape with 9-10 songs. The problem was that when we finished with the recordings at 1996, nobody was interested about our Epic Metal and no one wanted to release a piece of Epic Music. Thus we decided to record 5 of the songs again, add "The Sire Of The Storm" EP and release it as an independed album at the beginning of 1999. After selling a little less than 1000 copies and with no coverage from the Hellenic Magazines (long live the fanzines!!!) Secret Port Records offered us a contract to re-release the album. But we thought it would be a better idea to record it from the beginning, add all the remaining songs from the promo, put a new and much improved cover and layout and give it as a present to all our fans.

<Please fill me in on the split release.

-The split single CD was something we wanted to do with our friends "Inner Wish". It is something we did just for fun and it's only a limited to 500 copies, release. It is called "Realm Of The Night" and it contains two new and unreleased Reflection songs. Those are "Pain" and "The Eyes Of The Night".

<You have chosen some very clichιd, but also very good topics for your lyrical content. I have red them all of course, and find them to be based on a mix of the fight between good and evil, some greek mythology and even some very positive aspects. Am I way out there? Or is this stuff you feel is of importance to the society today? Some things never change you know; people will always be occupied with religion, death, hope and different ways of interpreting all the scriptures no matter how computerized and digital the world has become.

-The lyrics of the band have to do with the Hellenic mythology, history and as you said the fight between good and evil. We believe that music should be a medium that people get out of this world and it's problems. We do not want to talk about how bad the world is, blah blah blah. People are fed up with al the "revolutionists" that sign to big labels and "lick where they spit". Take for example bands like "Rage Against The Machine". How is it possible to sing about the system but be a part of it!!! At least we are interested in subjects like mythology and history and we are proud of it. We are not going to change the world.

<Why Secret Port? I know Theo and I am convinced he takes his work seriously, but did you ever consider going for an international label before choosing a native one? Or are you satisfied being kings of the neighbourhood...seeing as you are pretty big "down there"...

-Theo is a very good friend and he was the only one who supported the band through difficult times. We are happy with Theo and we believe that he does whatever it takes to help the band. If we were in an international label they wouldn't care about us. They only care about money. Do not forget that Theo proposed to cut "The Fire Still Burns" not only in CD but also in picture vinyl, which was something like a dream for us. You know that our new album "Odyssey" is going to be released by "Secret Port Records" and we are happy about it.

<I have of course placed an order for the upcoming vinyl release of the next album, but what was the reason you wanted to do this? Releasing a vinyl version before the actual cd arrives? And isn't it great to see your product appear on this beautiful format; vinyl? (Read with Homer Simpson voice...Dooonuts...ahhh)

-It's great to see your work into vinyl because we are vinyl maniacs!!! Vinyl represents another era which was more pure and the music was true and from the heart. We know that nowadays no band can release it's music only in vinyl but a limited version, in vinyl, would be perfect.

<Please let the readers and myself in on some details from Reflections past. Kind of a fastfood version of the biography?..

Reflection was formed back in 1991. The first difficult years we were five piece vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards and drums. We had 2 demo tapes (Before The End - 1992 and When Immortals Die - 1993) and a 7" EP (The Sire Of The Storm - 1995). 4 years later we released "The Fire Still Burns" and at 2001 the split CD (The Realm Of The Night) and the re-release of "The Fire Still Burns" came. The last 3 recordings were under vocals, twin guitars, bass and drums line up.

<New drummer and new guitarist are included in the present lineup of Reflection as we speak; why? As you have been doing this for almost, or exactly, ten years, I guess some members lose the perspective and dedication after such a long time. And I presume you are satisfied with the new boys?

-Me (Chris Kappas-vocals), Stathis Pavlandis (guitar, composer and the heart of the band) and John Tolakis (bass) were the founding members of Reflection back in 1991. Our drummer couldn't continue because of his studies/work thus Stathis brother (George) joined the band 3 years ago! John Psarrakis (a friend of ours) also joined the band helping with the guitar parts. I also have to tell you (and you will be the first to know) that John Psarrakis left the band because of musical reasons (he is more into hard rock/funk) and we decided to continue with keyboards (as in the old times) thus Kostas Anastasopoulos joined the band a couple of months ago. We are satisfied with the new members and we are still friends with our old friends/members of Reflection.

<What is your opinion of the general greek metal scene? I have been following it for some years and have found some bands to be very exiting. Some I can't stand, maybe because blackmetal isn't too much of a kick for me; hate it basically...but some really arrives strong and solid. My friends in Unisound have supplied me with several great records, mentioning the Nigel Foxxe's Inc as one killer example. But sometimes, when I talk to some regular greek metalhead, it appear to be a common view that there are too many bands around. Nothing unusual with that as this is the case for every market around the globe., but what bands do you feel stands out from the crowd, giving the best possible face to the scene?

-I do not know what bands have you listened form the Hellenic scene but there were some band that wrote history but they were unlucky. Spitfire is the best example. A killer Hard n' Heavy band which is now a legend. Sarissa in Epic Metal, Deceptor in Power Metal, Raw Silk in AOR and many more. The best bands nowadays in Hellas are Mystery, PowerCrue, Marauder, Inner Wish from the old days and Battleroar, Raging Storm, Sacred Outcry and Lost Fate from the new blood.

<For now, these were the questions I had. Please close as you wish and pass out compliments to those who deserves it as well as kicks to the ones not. I want to thank you for taking the time to support my zine and please let me know whenever there is something happening within the Reflection camp. All the best, stay metal and be positive; Yngve

-First of all I would like to thank you for this interesting interview. Keep on the good work and support Heavy Metal. Our music needs magazines like yours. Hope you like our new album Odyssey that will be out in a very short time. See ya.