Michail Bakoulas (Sons of Iniquity, Convixion, Finger Of Scorn)

Michail Bakoulas, is the bass player for Convixion, Finger Of Scorn and also the lead singer for Sons of Iniquity, we had a chat with him to know a little bit more about his work on these bands. 

Q. - Hello Michalis! During the 90's you were in some bands like Air Winners or Zero Hour, tell us a bit about your background in heavy metal.

Michalis - Hi there! Well these two bands were actually the same band that I formed at 13 with my best mate Andreas Zografidis. The name in both cases was not my idea and wasn’t pleased but then again I had no ideas of my own for a name so we got stuck with those! Musically we started as a band with very typical and standard songs influenced by the things mostly Andreas was listening at the time but it was nothing too exciting. We were just 14 when we played our first gig! When the band evolved into Zero Hour the material became more Progressive metal than anything else and when I got back from my military service we got really good as a three piece but it wasn’t meant to be something… all these years I wasn’t part of the line up but got in and out at least three times as me and Andreas are like brothers and brothers fight each other too!

Q. - When did you join Convixion, was it around 2010? How did the invitation came up?

Michalis - No I was in the band since we became a band… the story behind the band is that originally there were Conviction, the band that Nick Papakostas had in the early 00s, than he moved into Strikelight and the band broke up. But he had ideas for what was to become our first EP and he formed a new band that he named Convixion. Well I happened to listen to the material and said I’ll play the bass! That was in 2006. Ever since things have changed, so have our lives but Convixion is still here!

Q. - "Days of Rage, Nights of Wrath" was edited two years ago, and had excellent reviews, are you planning a new album by now?

Michalis - At the time we’re not planning anything since personal matters have forced us to to be inactive but we will get back soon as we have ideas for our next album.

Q. - Is Sons of Iniquity (Iniquity) the first band where you do lead vocals? What made you feel like start singing?

Michalis - I have a band that is not very active but whenever we feel like it we start playing again. It’s a tribute band that plays NWOBHM covers. In this band the guitarist is the brother of John who is the man behind Iniquity. While we were rehearsing with Metal Muthas John who was living in Crete at the time, came to see us while he was visiting Athens. Our singer was not in the rehearsal so I sang a few tracks. John liked it and he said he wanted me to sing a couple of songs for a demo he was recording and I said OK. I always did backing vocals for Convixion but never thought of singing, thanks to John I started that too!

Q. - Why did you change the name from Iniquity to Sons of Iniquity? Any legal problem?

Michalis - There is a band from Denmark that had the name Iniquity and we received a message from them to stop using the name as they will be acting legally. So John decided to change into Sons of Iniquity, that was the original name after all, inspired from the Savage Grace track.  If it was my decision I would tell them to eat shit and die. In fact if by any chance someone from the Danish Iniquity is reading this: FUCK OFF!!!

Q. - Is Sons of Iniquity a side project, or is it a full time band?

Michalis - A little of both actually. More because of the fact that we are moving very slow… But be ready for a full album in 2019!

Q. - Was it hard to find this line up for Sons Of Iniquity? For how long have you been playing together?

Michalis - Not really as John is playing the guitar and his brother is playing with us so that was easy! Peter the bass player was already the guy who recorded the Demo and the so was Vangelis the drummer.

Q. - What's your expectations for the future, what plans do you have for Sons of Iniquity? Are you recording new tracks? Or trying to find a label?

Michalis - As I said earlier we are preparing our full length album. We have a 4track demo we recorded to test the songs that is not available neither online nor will be released. We already have a label waiting for the album, so we don’t have to worry about that!

Q. - It's not usual a tribute band to Cirith Ungol, how did the idea of forming Finger Of Scorn came up?

Michalis - We did a cover of I’m Alive with Convixion so that made us thinking about the idea of a tribute band for this great band! Manolis Karazeris actually suggested it to Nick as the main element into making such a tribute was to find a singer who would do justice to the vocals of Tim Baker. Once that was settled than the rest was history!

Q. - Is it hard for a Cirith Ungol tribute band to be booked?

Michalis - We arranged all our appearances our selves and it wasn’t to difficult as Manolis had various contacts and we managed to play a few shows abroad!

Q. - However, you played K.I.T. a few years ago, how would you describe the experience?

Michalis - It was great for us and hopefully for the people attending too! KIT is always a nice festival and to be part of it is an honour and privilege.

Q. - Was Cirith Ungol a huge influence on you? What other influences do you have?

Michalis - I’d say they were although I didn’t realised that until I started playing their songs! My main influences as a bassist are GEEZER BUTTLER and STEVE DAWSON. But musically I’d say there are tons of things I listen to and most probably influence me in one way or another but I couldn’t really say what or who influenced me more. I like NWOBHM, classic Metal of course but mostly 70s hard rock and progressive.

Q. - The heavy metal movement in Greece has been increasing, from year to year, why do you think this is happening?

Michalis - I think that in reality it’s the world that has started taking notice of Greek Heavy Metal and not an increase of good bands. I believe that Greece is the no.1 place for Heavy Metal in the world. From bands, to fans, to mentality, to everything.

Q. - And it looks like you all have a good relationship between the bands, there's good camaraderie among heavy metal bands in Greece?

Michalis - It surely is better than 30 years ago! I think nowadays all is better for Greek Metal

Q. - It's been hard for you to be active in three bands (Convixion, Finger Of Scorn and Sons of Iniquity) at the same time?

Michalis - Well not really as I wasn’t active with all three in the same time. But I have in the past when I was with Vice Human, Zero Hour and Convixion at the same time. Fortunately I had the time for all three then!

Q. - Anything more you want to say, to end up this interview?

Michalis - Well nothing much, just want to thank you for the interview. Be ready for Sons of Iniquity full length coming in 2019!!!

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!