Theodore Ziras - Biography
This band's profile is 'invisible', meaning that it's much less prominent on the site - either because it's incomplete, or maybe doesn't entirely fit MS format.
Biography
Who is Ziras?: Theodore Ziras was born in Poros island (Greece).
Started his music training at the age of 15 (Guitar, Music Theory, Jazz Harmony, Rhythm & Counterpoint, Piano) His main influences include generally anything from Classical Music, Rock, Metal to Jazz & Fusion.
1994-1998: His first serious band collaboration was with the Athens(GR) based power metal Greek band "Ice Divine" (1994-98) and "Guardian Angel" (1997-98) as the lead guitar player. He did numerous recording & performed in many gigs (e.g support with Iced Earth, U.D.O etc)
1998-2001: Greece, he registered at the prestigious Guitar Institute of London for further Music/Guitar studies. He graduated 3 years later getting his degree, Bachelor (Honors) in Music Performance & Composition.
2001: He returned to Athens/Greece, he signed his first solo record deal. His first instrumental solo CD "Trained To Play" released in April 2001. A mix of Orchestral Neoclassical Metal with complex harmony/orchestration and mind-blowing lead guitar parts. The reviews for "Trained To Play" were more than positive and established Theodore as a solid musician & Guitar Player with great perspectives for the future.
2003: Almost 2 years (2003) later during serving his military duty Theodore prepared his 2nd instrumental album. "Virtual Virtuosity" released in March 2003. With "Virtual Virtuosity" Theodore accomplished to move a step forward his career and be acknowledged world-wide as a top class guitar virtuoso.
2005: Few months later (early 2004) he decided to produce a CD with Vocals. Searching for the perfect vocalist was not an easy job, Jioti Parcharidis (Human Fortress, Victory) finally was the perfect choice. After almost 2 years of recordings EUROFORCE CD hit the market on June 2005.
2006-2007: Theodore prepared his 3rd instrumental CD...time for change. He played along the legendary keyboardist Derek Sherinian and the top L.A drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake). "HyperpyrexiA" is the stunning result from this co-operation. Great reviews from the world wide press and Top Seller on Guitar9.com for several weeks. During this year Theodore did appeared in guitar clinics supporting world class acts as Kiko Loureiro, Michael Angelo Batio, Gus G, Mattias Eklundh. Also Theodore released 8 instructional DVD's.
2008: On "Guitar World (July 2008)" issue Theodore mentioned as
#6 Fastest Guitarist of all time (16 notes per second). In the same list you can find names as Yngwie Mamsteen, John Petrucci, Steve Vai etc.
2009: The 4th Ziras instrumental album released, Territory 4 is a blend of virtuosity elegance and complexity. The drum phenomenon Marco Minnemann played on this great release along with the ultra talented keyboardist Alex Argento and monster bass player Kyle Honea. Territory 4 was a top seller on Guitar9 and Cd Baby CD stores.
On September 1st 2009 Theodore started the successful "Lick of the Week" series, a weekly free video lesson on YouTube which achieves millions of views.
2011: Monster 5 is the 5ths instrumental release from Theodore. The Monster is here, killer 7 string heavy riffing, monstrous soloing, extreme shredding and heavy attitude combined with elegant playing. Great collaborations on this release as the British shred monster Andy James, Christian Nativo (Vanishing Point)
on Drums and the talented Sergey Boykov on keyboards
2013: Hand of God is the female fronted metal release with the vocal sensation Marissia.
If you are a fan of the instrumental albums of Theodore, or fan of Nightwish, Epica,
The Gathering, Theatre Of Tragedy and Within Temptation you will love this album
2014: Virtual Virtuosity "The Reincarnation"
11 years after the original release of "Virtual Virtuosity" (2003) the same compositions are back
in a brand new remixed and remastered version. New drums, new Bass, new rhythm guitars.
Only the lead guitars are the same as the original release (2003).
2015: Trained to Play "The Reincarnation"
Theodore Ziras first instrumental release rimexed and remasted with new Rhythm Section and superb production.Monstrous sweeps, great melodies, great playing, Neoclassical Metal at it's finest.
Theodore keeps extremely busy dividing his time between studying, composing, teaching guitar, writing instructional material, recording and trying to develop his style and grow as a performer and composer.
Source: Official website
Started his music training at the age of 15 (Guitar, Music Theory, Jazz Harmony, Rhythm & Counterpoint, Piano) His main influences include generally anything from Classical Music, Rock, Metal to Jazz & Fusion.
1994-1998: His first serious band collaboration was with the Athens(GR) based power metal Greek band "Ice Divine" (1994-98) and "Guardian Angel" (1997-98) as the lead guitar player. He did numerous recording & performed in many gigs (e.g support with Iced Earth, U.D.O etc)
1998-2001: Greece, he registered at the prestigious Guitar Institute of London for further Music/Guitar studies. He graduated 3 years later getting his degree, Bachelor (Honors) in Music Performance & Composition.
2001: He returned to Athens/Greece, he signed his first solo record deal. His first instrumental solo CD "Trained To Play" released in April 2001. A mix of Orchestral Neoclassical Metal with complex harmony/orchestration and mind-blowing lead guitar parts. The reviews for "Trained To Play" were more than positive and established Theodore as a solid musician & Guitar Player with great perspectives for the future.
2003: Almost 2 years (2003) later during serving his military duty Theodore prepared his 2nd instrumental album. "Virtual Virtuosity" released in March 2003. With "Virtual Virtuosity" Theodore accomplished to move a step forward his career and be acknowledged world-wide as a top class guitar virtuoso.
2005: Few months later (early 2004) he decided to produce a CD with Vocals. Searching for the perfect vocalist was not an easy job, Jioti Parcharidis (Human Fortress, Victory) finally was the perfect choice. After almost 2 years of recordings EUROFORCE CD hit the market on June 2005.
2006-2007: Theodore prepared his 3rd instrumental CD...time for change. He played along the legendary keyboardist Derek Sherinian and the top L.A drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake). "HyperpyrexiA" is the stunning result from this co-operation. Great reviews from the world wide press and Top Seller on Guitar9.com for several weeks. During this year Theodore did appeared in guitar clinics supporting world class acts as Kiko Loureiro, Michael Angelo Batio, Gus G, Mattias Eklundh. Also Theodore released 8 instructional DVD's.
2008: On "Guitar World (July 2008)" issue Theodore mentioned as
#6 Fastest Guitarist of all time (16 notes per second). In the same list you can find names as Yngwie Mamsteen, John Petrucci, Steve Vai etc.
2009: The 4th Ziras instrumental album released, Territory 4 is a blend of virtuosity elegance and complexity. The drum phenomenon Marco Minnemann played on this great release along with the ultra talented keyboardist Alex Argento and monster bass player Kyle Honea. Territory 4 was a top seller on Guitar9 and Cd Baby CD stores.
On September 1st 2009 Theodore started the successful "Lick of the Week" series, a weekly free video lesson on YouTube which achieves millions of views.
2011: Monster 5 is the 5ths instrumental release from Theodore. The Monster is here, killer 7 string heavy riffing, monstrous soloing, extreme shredding and heavy attitude combined with elegant playing. Great collaborations on this release as the British shred monster Andy James, Christian Nativo (Vanishing Point)
on Drums and the talented Sergey Boykov on keyboards
2013: Hand of God is the female fronted metal release with the vocal sensation Marissia.
If you are a fan of the instrumental albums of Theodore, or fan of Nightwish, Epica,
The Gathering, Theatre Of Tragedy and Within Temptation you will love this album
2014: Virtual Virtuosity "The Reincarnation"
11 years after the original release of "Virtual Virtuosity" (2003) the same compositions are back
in a brand new remixed and remastered version. New drums, new Bass, new rhythm guitars.
Only the lead guitars are the same as the original release (2003).
2015: Trained to Play "The Reincarnation"
Theodore Ziras first instrumental release rimexed and remasted with new Rhythm Section and superb production.Monstrous sweeps, great melodies, great playing, Neoclassical Metal at it's finest.
Theodore keeps extremely busy dividing his time between studying, composing, teaching guitar, writing instructional material, recording and trying to develop his style and grow as a performer and composer.
Source: Official website