Introducing the rising Greek progressive metal band, Fading Echoes, who are taking the genre by storm with their emotionally charged debut album, Shadow of Another. Hailing from Volos—a city steeped in myth and history—Fading Echoes channel the unique atmosphere of their surroundings into powerful music that captures the strength and fragility of life. With influences from bands like Savatage, Katatonia, and Opeth, Fading Echoes take on progressive metal with deeply personal narratives.
Shadow of Another delves into the journey of loss and grief, particularly through its standout pentalogy, “The Stages of Grief.” Each track in this series represents a stage of emotional struggle, with compositions that span raw aggression, haunting beauty, and reflective calm. The album is anchored by the contributions of iconic guest musicians, including Zak Stevens of Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, who brings his profound vocal depth to the final track, “Acceptance.”
Signed to the progressive label Wormholedeath, Fading Echoes is already making waves far beyond Greece, drawing in listeners with their dedication to authenticity and innovation. As they prepare for their first live shows and continue to explore new musical directions, Fading Echoes is a band poised for remarkable growth. Join us as we dive deep into the heart of Shadow of Another, exploring the influences, experiences, and aspirations that fuel Fading Echoes‘ journey in progressive metal, through the words of band founder Dimitris Stratikis.
Fading Echoes hails from Volos, a city with a rich cultural history. How does the local culture and heritage of Volos influence your music and creative process?
Volos is a city with mythological roots and layers of cultural influence, from the legends of Jason and the Argonauts to the rich modern arts scene. Being surrounded by this blend of history and the beauty of our landscape inspires us to seek depth and authenticity in our music. Our work feels tied to the mountains and the sea that define Volos, a constant reminder of the strength and fragility of life. This influence isn’t always direct, but it’s there in the atmosphere, in the way we approach emotion and complexity, and in the stories we choose to tell.
Your debut album Shadow of Another was released in July 2024. What was the inspiration behind the album title, and how does it reflect the themes explored throughout the record?
Shadow of Another, the album title, isn’t a song or a lyric as it usually happens. Since this is a concept album and specifically it documents my personal experience with loss and grief, I needed something to represent how I felt. And my every-day life was that: I had to have a mask on, I needed to pretend I am someone I was not. Another. Thus, the shadow I cast was indeed, the shadow of another. And this is also reflected in the artwork of the album. If you notice the whole piece, the cover, the man that is dissipating casts the shadow of an anger. Also, the dead tree leaves its shadow on some green bushes and where the ravens’ shadows should be, there are the flowers. Finally, we adopted this concept for our group member photos. Each one of us casts the shadow of ourselves with the instrument that we play!
The core of Shadow of Another lies in the pentalogy, “The Stages of Grief.” Can you walk us through the creative process behind these five tracks and how each stage of grief is musically represented?
This was the most personal and challenging part of the album, and it pushed us to explore a full range of musical expression. Each track mirrors a stage of grief: Denial is an instrumental with a slow build-up, reflecting confusion and disbelief. Anger brings intensity and raw, aggressive riffs to capture the frustration and pain. Bargaining has a haunting, almost ethereal quality, as if searching for solace or reasoning with the inevitable. Depression is heavy, both musically and emotionally, with somber, slower passages that pull you down into despair. Finally, Acceptance is more contemplative and open, signifying peace and resolution. It was a journey for us as a band to walk through these emotions and express them in sound.
Zak Stevens, renowned for his work with Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, lends his voice to the final track “Acceptance.” How did this collaboration come about, and what was it like working with such an iconic figure in the progressive metal scene?
Zak Stevens has been a monumental influence on us, so it was a dream come true when he agreed to work with us. We reached out, and he resonated with the project, especially with the concept of “Acceptance” as a powerful final chapter in the album. His voice has a gravitas and warmth that brought a profound sense of closure to the record. Working with him was surreal, as he has this remarkable ability to channel complex emotions, and he brought a new depth to that track we could only have dreamed of achieving ourselves.
Each member of Fading Echoes brings a unique skillset and influence to the band. How do you collaborate as a group to ensure that each member’s distinct style contributes to the overall sound of Fading Echoes?
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Each of us has different musical backgrounds—some lean more towards the technical side, others towards atmosphere and mood—so we bring these influences together to find balance. Our process is very open; no idea is off the table. We each respect and trust each other’s instincts, which allows us to blend our strengths without losing sight of the bigger picture. It’s a bit like alchemy, finding the right mix that makes Fading Echoes sound like us.
How do you balance technical musicianship with the emotional weight of your compositions, particularly when dealing with such deep themes as grief and loss?
You know, it’s usually easy to claim that technical playing takes away from emotion. That’s not the case here. For us, technicality serves the emotional core of the music, not the other way around. The challenge is to use our skills to amplify the emotion, to have complexity when it adds depth but simplicity when the moment demands raw feeling. We want listeners to feel something deep and genuine, so we try to let emotion lead and let technical aspects enhance that journey.
Fading Echoes cites influences from bands like Savatage, Katatonia, Opeth, Soen, and Evergrey. How do you incorporate elements of these bands into your music while maintaining your own unique identity?
These bands have shaped us, and their impact is woven into our sound. But we’re careful not to mirror them; instead, we take inspiration from their spirit and approach to storytelling, complexity, and atmosphere. Each band taught us different things—how to create mood, tell a story, balance light and darkness. We honor these influences while making sure our music speaks with its own voice, shaped by our experiences and perspectives.
What role does the album’s production, particularly the mixing and mastering by George Constantine Kratsas, play in enhancing the depth and clarity of your sound? How important was his contribution to shaping the final product?
George was instrumental in bringing Shadow of Another to life. His sensitivity to nuance and his technical expertise made each track feel as impactful as it could be. He understood our vision, and he knew how to create a sonic landscape that preserved the rawness and beauty of our sound. The layers, the atmosphere, the clarity—he gave each of these elements room to breathe and resonate, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. He even did the orchestral arrangement for “Bargaining”! Amazing work!
You’ve described Shadow of Another as a deeply personal work, reflecting personal losses and life-changing events. How did these experiences shape the album’s lyrical content and overall atmosphere?
I poured a lot of myself into this album. My experiences with loss and transformation gave weight to the lyrics, adding layers of honesty and vulnerability. This album became a space for me to confront pain, explore questions, and ultimately find hope. It’s deeply personal, but we believe those themes resonate with many people, giving the album a universal emotional impact.
Fading Echoes signed with the progressive metal label Wormholedeath in 2024. How has this partnership helped the band reach a wider audience, and what impact has it had on your journey as a rising band?
Wormholedeath has been great in helping us reach listeners who may never have found us otherwise. Their support has given us the confidence and platform to share our music more widely. They understand the progressive metal scene and the dedication it takes to grow in this genre, and their guidance has been a huge boost in our journey.
As a relatively new band, having formed in 2019, how has your sound evolved from when you first started to where it is today with the release of Shadow of Another?
When we first started, we were still finding our voice and experimenting with our sound. Over time, as we grew as musicians and as people, our sound naturally evolved to be more focused and intentional. Shadow of Another feels like a culmination of those years, capturing who we are today while leaving space for who we’ll become.
The progressive metal genre often pushes musical and lyrical boundaries. What challenges have you faced while trying to carve out your own space in this genre, and how do you strive to keep pushing those boundaries in your music?
Progressive metal nowadays can mean so many things. Generally, it demands innovation and honesty, and the challenge is to stay true to our voice while exploring new frontiers. There’s a lot of incredible talent in this genre, which can be intimidating, but it also pushes us to be better. We try to push our own boundaries by challenging our comfort zones—writing differently, experimenting with structures, and always keeping our lyrics and themes relevant and heartfelt. A way we managed to stand out from the majority of the music out there is our approach to composition and lyrics. You won’t find the classic song structure in this album, nor will you find choruses that repeat 3-4 times throughout the song . The songs are stories with a beginning, a middle and a finale. Effective storytelling doesn’t involve repeating yourself. And most of the feedback we’ve received is that it has been a breath of fresh air. At least to those that pay attention to the lyrics and experience the album holistically.
In addition to your core lineup, you worked with guest musicians like Jim Politis on guitars and Nick Vell on drums. What did they bring to the table in terms of enhancing the album’s sound?
Jim and Nick brought their unique styles and energy, elevating the music to another level. Jim’s guitar work added layers of melodic complexity, while Nick’s drums brought precision and power. They added a new dynamic to the music that gave the album greater depth, and we were lucky to work with such talented artists.
Your album delves into melancholic and emotionally intense themes. How do you approach translating such complex emotions into your live performances, and what can fans expect from a Fading Echoes live show?
Performing live is where we get to bring the music to life. We want fans to feel the emotions that shaped this album, to feel connected to the journey we’re sharing. Expect intensity, introspection, and hopefully a sense of catharsis by the end. It’s an immersive experience, and we hope our audience feels the same raw energy we felt while creating it.
Looking back at the recording of Shadow of Another, what were some of the most rewarding and challenging aspects of creating the album? How did these experiences shape your vision for future releases?
The biggest reward was seeing our vision realized, hearing these songs become something real. The challenge was navigating such personal themes—it wasn’t always easy, but it was worth it. This experience taught us a lot about who we are as a band and what we want to say. Going forward, we’re inspired to dive even deeper and continue exploring new musical and emotional territories.
What’s next for Fading Echoes? Are there any plans for tours, new music, or collaborations that fans should be excited about in the coming months?
There’s a lot to look forward to! We’ve booked our first-ever shows, including a concert in Athens in January. We’re also working on new material and exploring more collaborations. The journey is just beginning, and we’re excited to see where it leads!
Shadow of Another is out now; check it out on Bandcamp here. For all things Fading Echoes visit their website. Like Fading Echoes on Facebook, and follow them on Instagram.
