Babis "Bob" Katsionis (Greek: Μπάμπης Κατσιώνης; born February 17, 1977 in Athens, Greece) is the rhythm guitarist and keyboard player for the heavy metal/power metal bands Firewind, Revolution Renaissance, Outloud, and Serious Black. He is considered to be Greece's most successful rock/metal keyboard player , being the only musician to ever win the same category "Best Keyboardist" in Greek Metal Hammer's Annual Readers' Polls for 5 years in a row (2006–2011). He is founder of Progressive Vision Group, a videoclip making company, which has produced more than 90 videos for rock and metal artists since 2002.

Bob playing keyboard and guitar onstage with Firewind

Katsionis has appeared in various small-time bands over the years (Skyward, Retrospect etc.), most of them projects he developed himself, before gaining more recognition with the likes of Firewind[1] and Outloud.[2]
Bob Katsionis performing live in 2007.

He started playing keyboards when he was 10 years old and, four years later, began learning guitar. Bob cites Kevin Moore, Jens Johansson and Keith Emerson as his main keyboard influences. As well as playing keyboards, Bob is also a seven string guitar player and has played both instruments in his various bands. For instance, when Firewind play live, he performs in a dual role as keyboard player or rhythm guitarist (or both), depending on the song. He uses a standard six string guitar in these circumstances. Bob also has released three instrumental albums with his solo project resembling mostly jazzy neo-classical/progressive metal.[3] and has also joined his idol's Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius) band Revolution Renaissance for the recording of their album "Trinity" without making any live appearances.

He released his 4th solo album titled "Rest In Keys" in December 2012.

After Bob filled in live for Roland Grapow on their tour with Hammerfall (January-February 2015), Serious Black announced him as a full-time member in February 2015. [4]
Bands currently featuring Bob Katsionis

Firewind
Outloud
Serious Black

Past bands and/or projects

Revolution Renaissance
Nightfall
Septic Flesh
Casus Belli
Suicidal Angels (as guest, on Torment Payback)
Scar Of The Sun (as guest and co-writer)
Keado Mores (as guest and producer)
Encomium
Fatal Morgana (guest for Rock Of Gods 1996 Festival)
Imaginary
Power Quest (as guest)
Eldritch (as guest)
NTX (Greek crossover band Nipto Tas Xeiras)
Battleroar (as guest)
Skyward (later became Retrospect)
Mirage (later became Imaginary)
Eternal Voyager (as guest)

Discography
Firewind

Forged By Fire (2005)[5]
Allegiance (2006)[6]
The Premonition (2008)[7]
Days of Defiance (2010)
Few Against Many (2012)
Immortals (2017)

Outloud

We'll Rock You To Hell and Back Again (2009)
Love Catastrophe (2011)[8]
More Catastrophe E.P (2012)[9]
Let's Get Serious (2014)
Destination: Overdrive (The Best of Outloud) (2017)
Virtual Hero Society (2018)

Imaginary

Oceans Divine (2001)
Long Lost Pride (2005)[2]

Nightfall

I am Jesus (Black Lotus records) 2002
Lyssa: Rural Gods And Astonishing Punishments (2004)[10]

Star Queen

Faithbringer (2002)[11]

Bob Katsionis

Turn Of My Century (2002)
Imaginary Force (2004)[12]
Noemon (2008)
Rest in Keys (2012)
Prognosis & Synopsis (2018)

References

Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Biography-Firewind". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
Viglione, Joe. "Review Long Lost Pride". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
"The Official MySpace of Bob Kastionis". MySpace. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
https://www.facebook.com/seriousblackofficial/posts/1580184988892833:0
"Credits Forged by Fire". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
"Credits Allegiance". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
"Credits The Premonition". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
"Overview Outloud". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
"More Catastrophe E.P".[permanent dead link]
"Credits Lyssa: Rural Gods And Astonishing Punishments". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
"Credits Faithbringer". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.

"Overview Imaginary Force". Allmusic. Retrieved 31 January 2010.

Firewind

Gus G Petros Christodoulidis Babis Katsionis Johan Nunez Henning Basse

Apollo Papathanasio Chitral Somapala Stephen Fredrick Konstantine Matt Scurfield Mark Cross

Studio albums

Between Heaven and Hell Burning Earth Forged by Fire Allegiance The Premonition Days of Defiance Few Against Many Immortals

Demo album

Nocturnal Symphony

Live Albums

Live Premonition

Singles

"Falling to Pieces" "Breaking the Silence" "Mercenary Man" "World on Fire"

Nightfall

Efthimis Karadimas Evan Hensley Constantine Stathis Ridis Jörg Uken Stathis Kassios

Bob Katsionis Mark Cross George Kollias

Studio albums

Parade into Centuries (1992) Macabre Sunsets (1994) Athenian Echoes (1995) Lesbian Show (1997) Diva Futura (1999) I Am Jesus (2003) Lyssa: Rural Gods and Astonishing Punishments (2004)

Revolution Renaissance

Timo Tolkki Gus Monsanto Bruno Agra Magnus Rosén Bob Katsionis Mike Khalilov Justin Biggs

Studio albums

New Era (2008) Age of Aquarius (2009) Trinity (2010)