For more than two decades, Gus G has quietly built one of the most consistent careers in modern melodic metal. Between his longtime work with Firewind, his years performing alongside Ozzy Osbourne during the Scream era, and an expanding solo catalog, the Greek guitarist has continued balancing technical guitar work with strong songwriting and modern heavy metal production.
That evolution continues on Steel Burner, Gus G’s first solo album in five years. In a new interview with Metal Mayhem ROC, he discussed the origins of the record, collaborating with vocalists like Ronnie Romero, Doro Pesch, Matt Barlow, and Dino Jelusick, and revisited the touring era that brought him into Ozzy Osbourne’s band.
The Catalyst
Long before Firewind or Ozzy Osbourne entered the picture, Gus G’s first major musical revelation came from hearing Peter Frampton’s Frampton Comes Alive! as a child growing up in Greece. He recalled hearing the album at home through his father’s record collection and becoming fascinated by the guitar almost immediately.
While his father mainly listened to Greek music, he also introduced Gus to artists like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Santana, laying the groundwork for a broader musical education before heavier music eventually took over.
That foundation eventually evolved into Firewind, which now reaches its 25th year as a band. Gus described the group as the “work of my life,” reflecting on the challenges of building a European melodic metal band into a sustainable touring act over multiple decades.
The Creative Process
Unlike some of his earlier solo releases, Steel Burner developed gradually. Gus originally intended to release several standalone singles before realizing the material naturally fit together as a full album.
The record balances instrumental material with vocal collaborations, something Gus described as an attempt to “have the best of both worlds.” Rather than writing specifically for guest singers, he explained that many of the songs already existed in demo form before the right collaborators emerged.
One of the most interesting examples is “Nothing Can Break Me,” featuring Doro Pesch. Gus revealed the riff had existed for nearly a decade and was originally written with the possibility of a future Ozzy Osbourne project in mind before eventually evolving into a full collaboration with Doro.
Matt Barlow’s appearance on “Dancing With Death” followed a similar path, with Gus connecting the darker tone of the material to the emotional style associated with Barlow’s earlier work.
Sound, Intent, Or Message
Although Steel Burner includes several guest vocalists, the album still feels firmly rooted in Gus G’s identity as both a guitarist and songwriter. The material blends melodic hooks, hard rock structure, and modern metal production while allowing different singers to shape the personality of each track.
The album’s title also emerged from an unusual source. Gus explained that “Steel Burner” originated from a real Greek industrial machine company that commissioned him to write music for a promotional video involving metal-cutting equipment. After hearing the finished track, the company encouraged him to officially release the song, eventually inspiring the title of the album itself.
Elsewhere in the conversation, Gus revisited his years performing with Ozzy Osbourne during the Scream touring cycle. He recalled auditioning in Los Angeles, receiving the gig immediately, and eventually becoming part of one of the longest live sets Ozzy had ever attempted.
According to Gus, Ozzy became increasingly determined to extend the band’s performances, with some overseas concerts approaching the three-hour mark. He also recalled the surreal experience of seeing Rob Halford regularly watching the band from side stage during parts of the tour.
Touring / What’s Next
The remainder of 2026 is shaping up to be a busy period for Gus G. Alongside European festival appearances with both Firewind and Ronnie Romero, he confirmed that Firewind will return to North America later this year alongside Finland’s Ensiferum.
At the same time, Gus continues expanding his touring collaboration with Ronnie Romero, combining original material with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Ozzy Osbourne songs in a live setting that has steadily grown throughout Europe.
Why This Interview Matters
What stands out most in this conversation is how naturally Gus G balances legacy and forward momentum. While many listeners still associate him heavily with the Ozzy years, Steel Burner makes it clear he remains focused on evolving creatively through collaboration, songwriting, and consistent touring.
The interview also captures a more grounded side of Gus outside the stage environment. Near the end of the discussion, he briefly opened up about becoming a father, joking that raising his nine-month-old son now takes up nearly all of his non-musical time.
That combination of humility, musicianship, and long-term dedication continues to define Gus G’s career as Steel Burner enters its release cycle.
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Watch the Full Interview
The complete Metal Mayhem ROC interview with Gus G discussing Steel Burner, Firewind, Ozzy Osbourne, touring, songwriting, and current projects is embedded below.
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