Flames are a Greek thrash metal band who have been at it since 1984, making them one of the very first metal bands from Greece alongside Spitfire. Brothers Chris “R.B.” Lee and Andy Kirk have been there from the start, while vocalist-guitarist Thomas Trampouras joined in 1989. The most recent addition is drummer Nick “Yngve” Samios, who came aboard in 2018. The band haven’t been active non-stop—there’s a long gap between In Agony Rise (1996) and Resurgence (2022).
The new album, Frequency of Illusion, is their eighth, and a strong addition to the catalogue. The record is varied; while the foundation is traditional thrash metal, I hear touches of punk and speed metal, too. Song titles like “Thrashin’ Beer” may sound silly, and it is, but at least the band are having some fun. Many consider 1988’s Summon the Dead their best album, but I think they deliver pretty good on Frequency of Illusion as well—and Flames are still keeping the flame alive.
Released November 7th, 2025 on Sleaszy Rider Records.
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