Firewind began as more of a showcase than a band. After dropping out of musical college in the USA, the young Greek guitarist Kostas "Gus G." Karamitroudis recorded a full-length demo with the help of friends to display his guitar skills to potential labels. Despite not being seen as a real band, he liked the name 'FireWind' and it was used to market the demo, called "Nocturnal Symphony."

According to Gus G., the band's name was influenced by Uli Jon Roth's album "Fire Wind", since Gus was a big fan of the ex-Scorpions guitarist Uli Roth.