Formed in the summer of 2005, ECHOVIRUS is one of the latest additions to Brighton 's expanding metal scene. Hailing from backgrounds in previous locally acclaimed death metal bands, founding members Amir Razavi and Dimitri Savathrakis forged a writing partnership with the intent to create music that would engage the listener on multiple levels, escaping from the one-dimensional constraints that so often plague bands of a more extreme calibre. The band's motto would soon become ‘write whatever sounds good', in an effort to distance itself from any particular label or subgenre which would prevent the band from expanding or evolving. Far from claiming to be a band solely influenced by itself, however, each member will readily admit to sharing particular influences that come to create the overall sound – yet ultimately, that sound is METAL – uncategorised, unconstrained.
Within a short space of time following the band's initial inception, the skeletal blueprint of the eagerly awaited debut track, ‘Prelude to Dystopia' was written – a 7 minute epic combining instantly memorable riffs, ferocious speed, bludgeoning heaviness and liberal use of melody, all in one consistent and coherent package. Early exposure on internet message boards led to much critical acclaim for the track, proving to the founding members that this immense project now deserved to be taken seriously and pushed to the next level. In the late months of 2005, the two remaining members of Echovirus were discovered. Drummer Rick Owen, a 17 year old from the local area was recommended to the band via a friend of Dimitri's, and auditioned soon after getting in contact. Rick proved to be an exceptional drummer and shared the same ambition and passion which Amir and Dimitri had longed so much for.
Finally, the band recruited Tony Hardwick, formerly the bassist in Amir's previous band, and a highly talented, enthusiastic and technically proficient player.
With the band's debut five track EP ‘Prelude to Dystopia' now complete, 2006 looks set to be the year in which Echovirus begin to infect the masses with their concussive hybrid of technical, brutal and melodic metal.
They aim to take no prisoners.
