SAVVAS BETINIS
Reflects on More Than Three Decades of
ACID DEATH
with Fok ‘bs‘
“Love what you do. Don’t just do it.”
“Music is a team effort, not an individual sport.”
“Curiosity allows you to explore roads that once seemed unknown or even forbidden.”
“If you reduce music to nothing more than another eight hour shift, you’ve already lost something essential.”
“Evolution is one of the defining characteristics of human existence. Whether we continue evolving is ultimately a personal decision.”
“This band often became the only refuge we had. If that makes us uncompromising, then we gladly accept that description.”
“Then we wouldn’t be Acid Death anymore.”
“We chose a difficult path that almost nobody understood at the time.”
“No matter what happened, the passion for music, for creating, never changed.”
“That he was such a hopeless romantic it sometimes became exhausting.”
Few musicians have shaped Greek progressive death metal as consistently as Savvas Betinis.
More than thirty years after founding Acid Death, his passion for creating meaningful music remains as strong as ever.
In this Musician of the Month interview with Fok ‘bs‘, he looks back on the band’s remarkable journey while sharing his thoughts on evolution, creativity, teamwork, and staying true to one’s artistic vision.
After more than three decades in music, what is the one thing about your character that has never changed since you founded Acid Death?
“Passion. Passion for what we create musically with this band. Of course, over the years many musicians came and went, but that chapter is over now. Since 2012, it has been the four of us. No matter what happened, the passion for music, for creating, never changed. Not for making a living, not even close, but to soothe our souls and communicate our ideas to whoever is willing to listen, whether that is a handful of people or thousands.”
If music disappeared from your life for an entire year, what would you miss the most?
The creative process, the stage, or connecting with people?
“All of it. Those three things are inseparable. Creating naturally leads to sharing what you’ve created, and in our case, that usually happens on stage. We don’t even have to look very far back. Only a few years ago, creativity suddenly stopped overnight. We were locked inside our homes, needed masks and special permits just to go outside. We lived through it. It passed. And all of us said the same thing: Never again.”
As bassist, vocalist, and principal songwriter, do you switch your mindset between those different roles, or is everything part of one unified creative process?
“As much as possible, yes. It isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. You have to step away from what the band is creating and try to see it through the eyes and ears of an ordinary listener. On stage, your role is defined by the band and by the moment, not by your ego. That’s why I have never tried to present myself as a virtuoso. It never interested me. What’s important is feeling useful within something bigger than yourself, because music is a team effort, not an individual sport.”
Acid Death have never taken the easy path.
Was there ever a moment when you thought it would be easier to write music that was more accessible?
“Then we wouldn’t be Acid Death anymore.
Anyone who serves any form of art must first be honest about what they truly want to create. Otherwise, they’re simply wandering from one trend to another. Maybe that’s a harsh answer, but Acid Death were born on the social margins of late 1980s Greece. None of us ever had an easy or comfortable life. This band often became the only refuge we had. If that makes us uncompromising, then we gladly accept that description.”
Your new album ‘Evolution‘ deals with human evolution.
Do you think personal evolution ever stops, or are we all permanently under construction?
“That depends entirely on the individual. ‘Evolution’ is one of the defining characteristics of human existence, even if modern society sometimes prefers to ignore that fact. Whether we continue evolving is ultimately a personal decision.”
When you hear a very young musician playing death metal today, is there anything you envy about their generation, or do you feel something important has been lost over the years?
“Envy? Why would I? I’d rather encourage them and help them whenever I can. That’s exactly what we’ve been doing for decades without compromise. And that’s also the advice we give to young musicians. Love what you do. Don’t just do it.”
Throughout your career you’ve experienced success, criticism, and even misunderstanding.
Which experience taught you the most without you realizing it at the time?
“That’s a huge subject. Everything we’ve experienced as a band has taught all of us valuable lessons. Even when we decided to end Acid Death in 2001, only to discover ten years later that people hadn’t forgotten us at all. In fact, the band’s reputation had grown during our absence. That was both deeply emotional and, honestly, the slap in the face we deserved for making that decision.”
If you could meet your twenty year old self just before stepping on stage with Acid Death for the first time, what advice would you give him, and what would you deliberately choose not to tell him?
“I’d definitely tell him, ‘Go for it!’
But I wouldn’t tell him everything that comes afterward. Maybe I’d simply say, ‘You’re a grown man now. Keep your eyes open.'”
People often assume extreme music is born from anger.
Do you think curiosity can be just as powerful a driving force as rage?
“Anger can certainly be one source of inspiration, but it’s far from the only one. Extreme music, like every form of art, is ultimately a way of expressing yourself and sometimes even escaping reality. Curiosity allows you to explore roads that once seemed unknown or even forbidden. In fact, curiosity is exactly what pushed us to reinvent ourselves in 1999 and become the first Greek band to embrace Progressive Death Metal with ‘Pieces Of Mankind’.”
You’ve worked with outstanding musicians from around the world.
Beyond musical ability, what qualities make you truly respect someone inside the studio?
“Above all, it’s how human they are in the way they create and communicate with the people around them. Music isn’t just another profession where you clock in, do your job, collect your paycheck, and go home. It’s something completely different. If you reduce music to nothing more than another eight hour shift, then I’m sorry… you’ve already lost something essential.”
Is there a decision in Acid Death’s history that once seemed like a mistake but today you see as absolutely necessary?
“Absolutely. It was our decision to move away from a pure Death Thrash sound and embrace Progressive Death Metal. While many bands were either softening their music or simply becoming heavier, we chose a difficult path that almost nobody understood at the time. That’s why the original release of ‘Pieces Of Mankind’ failed commercially. It took another label in England to give it a second life, and many years before people recognized us as the pioneers of Progressive Death Metal in Greece.”
When you finish an album like ‘Evolution‘, do you feel relief because the journey is over, or excitement because you’re already thinking about the next one?
“Both. But what excites me most is the journey that begins after the album is released. The promotion, the live shows, meeting people, and sharing the music with them.”
Many years from now, if people remember nothing about Acid Death except one thing about Savvas Betinis as both a musician and a person, what would you hope that is?
“That he was such a hopeless romantic it sometimes became exhausting.”
This conversation shows that Savvas Betinis is far more than the frontman of Acid Death.
He is an artist who has spent a lifetime following his own path, embracing change without abandoning his principles.
If evolution is the central theme of Acid Death’s latest album, it is equally the story of the musician behind it.
by Fok ‘bs’
Greek Death Metal Legend
ACID DEATH
Released Single
‘Gateway To Knowledge’
ACID DEATH are back with a bang with their new single ‘The Gateway To Knowledge‘.
Until their ten-year hiatus (2001-2011), the legendary band was considered Greece’s most controversial death metal band.
Acclaimed by critics abroad, they were considered ‘heretical‘ in their homeland and caused many a clerical gasp.
The controversies of the early years may have been forgiven and forgotten, but the music continues to pound mercilessly.
On the first single from their new album, the thrash gods show all newcomers where Zeus gets his poisonous thunder from!
ACID DEATH began their career, which has now spanned more than 20 active years, with classic thrash metal and were the only European representatives of progressive death metal until their first hiatus.
At that time, the band had already released an EP, a split LP, three albums, and played countless live shows alongside bands such as Kreator, The Haunted, Impaled Nazarene, Children Of Bodom, Mayhem, Rotting Christ, Coroner, Pestilence, and Six Feet Under.
Since reuniting with a partially new lineup, the band released their fifth official album, ‘Eidolon‘.
In 2015, ACID DEATH signed a five-year contract with the German label 7hard, and in September 2015, the successful album ‘Hall Of Mirrors‘ was released.
Two years later, the album ‘Balance Of Power 1992 – the lost album‘ was released in its original form for the first time in 25 years.
In March 2019, ACID DEATH released the album ‘Primal Energies‘ with Coroner mastermind Tommy Vetterli as co-producer, which reached number 11 on the German Amazon charts (new releases – METAL).
After several years of hard work, ACID DEATH have finally completed the recordings for their eighth album:
‘Evolution‘ is the crowning achievement of this unyielding, hard-hitting band’s work to date.
The concept album about human evolution over the centuries, which will be released again by 7hard at the end of November, challenges the listening habits of the metal community with its sophistication and volume.
On top of that, two special guests can be heard on ‘The Gateway To Knowledge‘:
none other than Kelly R. Shaefer – the iconic frontman of Atheist (also known for Till The Dirt and Neurotica)
and James Murphy (the legendary guitarist, known for his work with Death, Obituary, Testament, etc.) complement the work.
The first single certainly sets the bar pretty high for this long-awaited masterpiece…
ACID DEATH
(Savvas Betinis)
an Interview by
Maria Stella Tsatsi
ACID DEATH are:
Savvas Betinis – bass, vocals
Denis Kostopoulos – lead,
rhythm guitar
Yiannis Anagnostou – lead,
rhythm guitar
Kostas Alexakis – drums, percussion
discography:
EP
album
album
EP
album
EP
album
album
album
playlist:
01 Balance of Power
02 Hall Of Mirrors
03 Regret Repent
04 Primal Energies
05 Eidolon
06 Reality And Fear
07 Life And Death
08 Supreme Act Of Heroism
09 Mental Slime
10 Psycho Love
11 Apathy Murders Hope
12 W.A.R.
13 Convict 655321
14 My Bloody Crown
15 Truth Revealed
16 Crossing The Line
17 Godless Shrines
Acid Death – Savvas Betinis:
“We were and still are a ‘heretical’ Death Metal band”
They are the creme de la creme of music, their songs are fiery and they themselves are pixie.
We are talking about Acid Death one of the oldest Greek bands, they were active from 1989 to 2001 and then their counter started to measure dynamically again from 2011.
Their color is classic thrash metal and they ended up, for many on a European level as representatives of progressive death metal.
Their countless appearances in unrivaled live and major European tours and their cooperations with well-known names in the music scene, such as (Kreator, The Haunted, Children of Boddom, Mayhem, Coroner, Onslaught, Pestilence, Sadist, Septic Flesh, Six Feet Under, Master etc), proves that they are already firmly on the ground.
The band has also participated in many and important festivals, such as Helvation Festival 2011 (Finland), Inferniac festival 2012 (Greece), Rockwave festival 2013 (Greece), New long festival 2013 (Greece), Metaldays festival 2013 (Slovenia), Noisehead Festival 2014 (Greece), Total Metal Open Air 2014 (Italy), Astarte Fest 2015 (Greece), Extreme Assault Fest Vol. I – 2016 (Greece), Veghel Deathfest III – 2017 (Netherlands).
‘Primal Energies‘, ‘Hall Of Mirrors‘, ‘Eidolon‘, ‘Random’s Manifest‘, ‘Pieces of Mankind‘, are some of their unique albums that they are crowned with success.
First of all we have to introduce them to you, so the leader of the band is Savvas Betinis (bass & vocals), Denis Kostopoulos (lead & rhythm guitars), Yiannis Anagnostou (Lead & Rhythm guitars) and Kostas Alexakis (drums & percussion).
They are the Acid Death rollers of the music scene.
Now, they are currently working on their new album, so we’ll have to stay tuned and be patient before the explosion.
Savvas Betinis in an exclusive interview only to radio highway pirates talks to us about the band Acid Death, their cooperations, ‘The Witch Hunt European Tour‘, their upcoming plans and everything you want to know.
Tell us a few words about the band and how you inspired this innovative title, that goes by the name Acid Death and what about your characterization as a heretical Death Metal band?
“Yes, the band started back in 1989. We tried to have a name that could give a, let’s say, direction to what we do. ‘We play Death Metal, we like to have some elements that come from other music styles, a more ‘acid’ view on music…’ So the name Acid Death was something we liked and finally we kept it…And having the entire music course we followed during the years, yes, we were and still are a ‘heretical’ Death Metal band.”
Tell us about the album ‘Eidolon‘ and what is its significance for you?
“‘Eidolon’ was the first album after band’s reunion in 2011, following the ‘Pieces Of Mankind’ of 1999 and ‘Random’s Manifest’ of 2000… The stress was the main feeling when we were working on this album, since the absence of almost 10 years was an important thing… You know ‘will the fans accept the band after so many years?…’ Things worked really well, so we had a greater moments after that album.”
With which bands, of those you have worked with, do you think you had the most harmonious and which the most difficult cooperation?
“Well, we prefer not to stay on the difficulties but on the final result of any cooperation. So, the cooperation with all the bands, especially on touring, was a positive inspiration for us.”
What are the advantages you have gained from your many participations in important festivals and which ones stand out?
“Most of all we had the opportunity to share the stage with legendary names of our music. And for sure playing in some big events made us stronger as band name.”
How did you feel that your album called ‘Primal Energies‘ as soon as of its official release it took high position at amazon charts?
“‘Primal Energies’ was our latest album of 2019. Actually we believe that this was our top moment of our career until these days. Having a really good cooperation with Coroner’s Tommy Vetterli as co-producer this album made to lead us at the next level. So, having a really good position at Amazon charts was something that made us really happy.”
‘Pieces Of Mankind‘ was voted to be the first among Greek Metal Scene – 40 Most Distinctive Album of all Time, what do you think about this?
“It was a big surprise for us! ‘Pieces…’ was the band’s first full album. It was a big honor for us to have it in a category like that.”
Which songs are considered a milestone in your musical career?
“So many to be mentioned!!!”
What was your experience with ‘The Witch Hunt European Tour‘ and the band Master?
“Actually that was our first full European tour – although the band was out for many years we hadn’t the opportunity to tour around Europe – You know, it was the ‘first blood’, let’s say. Especially on that, touring with MASTER and Paul Speckman is a big school since the experience of this band on stage and on touring is tremendous!”
To what do you attribute your great and successful career?
“Actually to the hard work. We only try to work hard!”
Tell us, about your recent plans.
“This season we are preparing the material for our next album. Hopefully we will hit the studio in the summer, so you will waιt for some news by our side!”
…Maria Stella Tsatsi…
key points about ACID DEATH:
1991
ACID DEATH at their first steps in recording, perform an independent production of their first mini LP called ‘Balance Of Power’, a piece of work that was to remain on the shelf and see the light many years later when the band had dissolved in the form of free downloading.
1993
The year they release their first official work, the EP ‘Apathy Murders Hope’ by the Greek independent label MOLON LAVE recs, providing the first evidence of the Progressive Death Metal path that the band was to follow a few years later.
1995
Two years later, a split-LP is recorded and released with Spanish Extreme Metallers AVULSED.
The band has already lost the opportunity of a very good record deal with a famous label of that time due to military services.
1998
The first full length album ‘Pieces Of Mankind’ is recorded and released, showing the Progressive character that is to be followed by the band. ACID DEATH were walking a tightrope between Death Metal and Fusion/Jazz and the first negative arrows began to come… The album remains forgotten and scorned to domestic record store shelves, but the re-release of 1999 by the English fledgling label Copro Recs/Casket Music makes it ‘Album of the Month’ in a VERY well-known English magazine, which is radical and unheard-of for a Greek Metal band, that season…
2000
The swansong ‘Random’s Manifest’ full length album is released by the already established BLACK LOTUS recs making the name of ACID DEATH affirmed and applauded by the European press and made fun-of in their own country! The provocative cover of the album is censored and the CD is removed from the German market… For the first time the foundation of the band start grinding unusually strange…
2001
After 12 years and 4 official releases, the band announced its disband while being in the studio for the pre-production of their third full-length.
2008
‘Pieces Of Mankind’ is to be the first among the ‘Greek Metal Scene-40 Most Distinctive Album of all Time’ as voted by the editors of the Greek RockHard Magazine.
2009
18 years after its recording, the first -unreleased- mini LP of ACID DEATH sees the light in the form of a free downloading as a ‘gift’ to those who had appreciated the band all the past years.
2011
‘Life After Death’… A case not rare, but with another application. The name of the band is strengthened and boasted while practically ACID DEATH ‘…are non-existent for over 10 years’. The band announces its return, officially on January 11th.
2012
On June 1st, reunited ACID DEATH release their 3rd album and 5th official release, titled ‘Eidolon’ , by Austrian NOISEHEAD Records. The album gains great reviews and comments from everywhere, giving the band the second chance it deserved. ACID DEATH arrange and finance their first tour after the reunion, on Greek soil.
2013
The material from band’s split LP from 1995 is re-recorded and re-released as independent free digital EP titled ‘MisleD 2013’. In the same year, on METAL DAYS Festival-Band Competition, ACID DEATH gain position #7 among more than 600 bands from all over the world and their appearance at METAL DAYS fest 2013 is realized.
2014
The first European tour after band’s return is a fact. The Witch Hunt European Tour together with US Death Metal legends MASTER.
2015
ACID DEATH sign a 5-year contract with German 7hard/7us Media Group GmbH and band’s 6th official release, the album ‘Hall Of Mirrors’ sees the light on September 11th, gaining excellent reviews and comments from press and fans. For many, this is the most integrated and powerful work ACID DEATH have ever done.
2016
English Copro Recs/Casket Music re-releases band’s first 2 albums, ‘Pieces Of Mankind’ and ‘Random’s Manifest’ that were completely sold out the previous years. The albums are re-mastered, including bonus material from the time they were originally recorded and released. At the same time, ‘Hall Of Mirrors’, becomes #5 in the article ‘Greeks Do It Better – 70+ most inspired albums by Greek bands for the years 2015-16’ by the Greek Metal Hammer magazine (issue #337/May 2016).
2017
After 25 complete years ACID DEATH’s ‘Balance Of Power’ album, actually band’s very first, physically unreleased and ‘lost’ recording, is scheduled to be released for first time on its official form, on March 10th, by the independent label Floga records. The same season, ACID DEATH’s first ever digital single ‘Life And Death – feat. Jon Soti’ from Hall Of Mirrors album, released by 7hard/7us, is reaching position #11 at German Amazon (charts/new releases). It is the first time that ACID DEATH enter charts with a release…
2018
CORONER’s mastermind, Tommy Vetterli, is the co-producer of ACID DEATH’s 6th album, ‘Primal Energies’. The recordings start in Athens in April and ended in Switzerland with album’s mix and mastering. 10 months in studio and the album is scheduled to be released worldwide on March 15th 2019 by 7hard/7us Media Group GmbH.
2019/2022
Three digital singles that came from ‘Primal Energies’ album and the album itself, reached a tremendous rank at German Amazon, with positions like #11 (new releases – Metal) for the album and #8 (Digital Singles – Metal)
2023
Greek Metal Hammer Magazine presents the ‘Greek Metal Owns The Land – 220 Most Important Greek Metal Albums (1972 Till Today)’ documentary, including ACID DEATH’s ‘Hall Of Mirrors’ album of 2015.