Convicted started out back in ’98 in Volos, Greece, when John Kospantsidis (Guitars, Vocals) and Socrates Konstantinou (Bass) decided to form a thrash band. After two years of rehearsing, and searching for a drummer and a second guitar player, and two more years of military obligations, they found drummer Jason Toufeksis (ex-Imperial Moon) and guitarist Thanasis Stamopoulos (ex-Mortal Void). The four of them begun to write and rehearse songs for six months. They had their first live show at Architecture University of Volos at 13th December 2002, and one more live show at a small rock club called Magos. In May of 2003 Jason was kicked out of the band and Thanasis left the band for personal reasons. Convicted quickly found Larry Kourtis as their new drummer and began rehearsing again to start recording.  They entered the RockSound studio in Thesaloniki in December 2003, and recorded a 7 track demo, named 'Nuclear Escape'. But since funding were short, and no label seemed to be interested in the band, they didn't get to release the CD until June 2005. Instead a 2 track promo CD was printed in 300 copies and given away for free. Finally in 2010 the band released their first proper full-length album, through Slaney Records.

CONVICTED (2010) SLANEY RECORDS

The recent thrash craze has really spread out worldwide. Convicted from Greece have been around since 1998, but it took the new wave of thrash metal to get them signed, and to get their first album to be released.

Now, Greece isn't exactly the thrash metal capitol of the world. Still, Convicted churns out their brand of thrash metal with conviction (pun intended). This is fast and abrasive thrash, with groove-laden breaks that creates diversity. The punk influences are very apparent too. Convicted has an overall modern thrash metal sound, reminding me of newer acts such as Battered and Vindicator. But they also emulate more classic bands, like Overkill and Kreator. The production on this album is really good, delivering a warm, classic sound, rather then a sterile, modern product. All the instruments can be heard in the mix, from the pummeling bass following the chugga-chugga riffs, to the angry, grit-filled vocals and driving drums. I like that the drumming is not all double bass frenzy, but more actual playing.

'Convicted' is a solid debut album, albeit nothing groundbreaking. Some of the songs are re-recorded tracks from the demos. I like the subtle diversity in the songwriting, and favorites includes the song that ends the CD, "Stand Up". The only downside here are some of the juvenile lyrics. Titles like "Copkiller" and "Fuck Off And Die" tells you all you need to know about that. Luckily I am not one to dwell on the lyrical aspect of most of the music I listen to, so I can still enjoy this thrashing piece of Greek metal.

Killer tracks: I Crave, Inside Of Me, Merciless, Minds Of War, Stand Up