Thirty years after their formation, InnerWish remain one of the most consistent and beloved reference points in Greek heavy/power metal. With an identity built on melody, dedication, and a rare chemistry among its members, the band has managed not only to preserve but also to evolve its sound through a journey marked by persistence, creativity, and emotional depth. Ash of Eternal Flame, their much-discussed 2024 release, served as a turning point — an album that closed a difficult chapter and opened a new, more confident path forward.
Marking their 30th anniversary, InnerWish return to the Athenian stage as headliners for the first time in seven years, on November 29th at Floyd. With no excessive additions and no guest appearances — just the six people who have formed the band’s core for the last 15 years — they promise a live show that will feel like a birthday celebration. As they jokingly say, there will be no “clowns,” only a meaningful retrospective across their entire discography. Anxiety and excitement coexist as the date approaches, because their goal is simple: for everyone — band and audience — to walk away smiling.
Talking with them, it becomes clear that their strength doesn’t stem only from their albums or live shows, but from something deeper: passion, honesty, and a belief in music as a way of life. From the difficulties of the pandemic to the international recognition brought by their collaboration with RPM Music, InnerWish remain grounded, creative, and focused on the same mission. With new material already in the works and more live shows planned for 2026, it seems their best phase may very well be the one that begins now — and this interview proves it.
You’re returning to an Athenian headline show after nine years, on November 29 at Floyd. What’s the dominant feeling as this big moment approaches?
There are essentially two feelings that work together at the same time: anxiety and excitement. Anxiety, because we genuinely want everything to go really well in every aspect. We want to enjoy it ourselves, for the audience who honors us to enjoy it too, and for everything to run smoothly so that both the bands and the crowd leave at the end of the night fully satisfied and smiling. And excitement, because we’ve been looking forward to this for so long, and I think that in the end everything will be great!
What do you want the audience to experience at this 30th-anniversary show? Is there a specific part of the night you particularly look forward to sharing?
We had considered several ideas. When we realized that one or two of them wouldn’t work (due to professional commitments of those involved), we decided to treat it completely like a regular show—no extras, no guest appearances. Just the six of us, the lineup of roughly the last 15 years, presenting material from our entire discography and giving our very best. At the end of the day, it’s a birthday party, if you will… it just doesn’t have clowns and such… hahaha. What truly matters is that both hosts and guests have a great time, and that’s exactly what we’ll try to achieve. So there isn’t a specific moment we’re waiting to share, but the entire night as a whole—that’s the point. To thank everyone who has supported us for all these years.
Your latest single, “Defend Our Children’s Hope,” has stood out for its message. What sparked the need for this song?
To be honest, when it comes to lyrics we don’t overthink things. Each of us simply writes about something they feel needs to be said, mentioned, or addressed. And since most of our lyrics stem from everyday life, I personally find it natural that we would touch on such a subject. We had done something similar with “Sea of Lies” on Ash of Eternal Flame. Two songs with essentially the same theme, but written by two different people (“Sea” by me, “Defend” by our guitarist Manolis) in different ways. And both songs—so “Defend” as well—are not political songs or general commentary on migration. They deal EXCLUSIVELY with the children of this world, who were, are, and will always be the biggest victims of this global situation. They are certainly not to blame for anything, and they will inherit a planet possibly at its worst. Again, people can have any political views they want—different, extreme, or not—but when it comes to children, I cannot understand how someone could not be affected.
“Ash of Eternal Flame” was released in November 2024. What does this album represent for you one year after its release?
Exactly what it represented the day it finally came out: our determination to see it through, and the closing—if you will—of the most difficult chapter (at least until the next one) for the band. A chapter born during the pandemic and lasting a bit beyond it, during which we came close to giving up. But everything turned out fine. So it’s an album intrinsically connected to that period.
What were the biggest challenges in creating and producing this album, especially after the pandemic and the break that preceded it?
The challenges basically start and end with the pandemic. I don’t know why, but for us it affected everything very negatively. Before it began, we already had drums, bass, and some guitars recorded, aiming to release the album in 2020. And we would have. With the pandemic, not only was the recording delayed, but our motivation, energy, drive—everything—dropped dramatically. We all focused on our lives outside music, and the band was essentially “frozen.” Thankfully, at some point we snapped out of it, got stubborn, and pushed forward. We’ve put in a tremendous amount of work over the years, spent a lot, and worked hard on this album as well. It would have been a shame for us if it didn’t come out properly. And at the end of the day, your passion is also your best therapy.
How did you experience the audience’s and critics’ response to “Ash of Eternal Flame”? Was there anything you didn’t expect?
We experienced it better than we expected, to be honest. We knew we had something good in our hands, but that was from our point of view, according to our own taste. How the audience and critics would see it was another story. Fortunately, the opinions aligned! What we didn’t expect was that the eight-year gap between releases—which is A LOT—didn’t affect the reception as much. For some reason, the anticipation was still there, and I like to believe we also gained new listeners through this album.
Your collaboration with RPM Music placed you alongside names like Helloween and Amorphis. How did this affect the band’s dynamic and mindset?
Being part of one of the top labels right now, alongside major names, is definitely an honor. And to be completely honest, RPM’s approach and their desire to have us on their roster felt more like personal satisfaction and validation for us. That was the main feeling. In terms of dynamics, being with a “bigger company” naturally pushes you toward a wider audience. How and if it has affected us, I’m not entirely sure yet—I need a bit more time to make the “final tally,” so to speak. Some doors do open a bit more easily, which is logical. But our mindset—I’m certain and don’t need time to confirm—remains exactly the same, with its good and bad sides… hahaha. We’re still the same people, with the same goals and the same mentality. Nothing has changed. Honestly, not even the slightest bit.
Looking back at the journey from “Waiting for the Dawn” until today, what would you say is the one element that has remained unchanged at the core of InnerWish?
In terms of songwriting, I can easily say: melody. It was, is, and will always be the most integral part of our music. Everything else is built around it. As for the band’s character, I think it’s our love for what we do. It’s genuine – we know who we are, where we stand, we have no illusions, and we know why we’re doing this. And as long as that remains, we’re in a very good place.
At what point in your 30-year journey do you feel you leveled up — either in your discography or as a live act?
You’re making this one a bit tough for me. Look, I don’t know if we “leveled up,” because I honestly can’t see it that way. What I can say is when we settled into something more defined, and that was with the release of our self-titled album, InnerWish, in 2016. That’s what you’d call “finding our sound.” And I think that was evident with the release of Ash of Eternal Flame, which feels like its natural continuation. As for our live presence, that’s better judged by the audience. What I do know is that we’ve been feeling very confident over these past years, essentially starting with the shows promoting InnerWish, and we trust what we can deliver live. I hope that somewhat answers the question!
How has the chemistry of today’s lineup evolved? What keeps you united and creative after three decades?
Love and belief in the music and in what we do. And something magical and undefinable which, if it weren’t there, we’d probably be in trouble by now! Hahaha. It’s very difficult to remain together with other people — strong personalities, each with opinions — and coexist. Even our different musical tastes play a role. And yet, here we are, still going, and without committing any crimes against each other! So the chemistry has evolved with patience, persistence, arguments of course, but also a largely “democratic” approach to the decisions we have to make. As for creativity, that doesn’t require much: it’s passion, and, like I said earlier, it’s therapy. You may not live from music, but you certainly live through it.
If you had to define today what the ‘heart’ of the InnerWish sound is, what would you put at the center?
Melody — without a doubt. As I mentioned before, it’s the alpha and omega of our music. But I believe that during the years we’ve been together as this lineup of six, and as our identity has developed, diversity follows right behind. The good thing about having six different people in the creative process — with different tastes, influences, backgrounds, you name it — is that when you find the “golden ratio” and those differences blend, something rich and varied emerges. And I think that’s exactly where we are.
Finally, what can fans expect from InnerWish in 2026 and beyond? Is there already material or direction for your next creative step?
If we don’t get another pandemic or some other dark chapter in world history affecting us again, then new material will come much sooner than this time. Not in 2026, most likely, but 2027 is completely realistic. In 2026 there will definitely be more shows, both in Greece and abroad. There is material already, so the foundation for a new album is there. But we always want more, so… definitely concerts, and a new album is on the horizon — just not within 2026.
Ποιο είναι το motto σας στη ζωή;
I never really had just one. It depends on the period and the state of mind. And honestly there are so many great mottos out there that sometimes they work better combined than individually… haha. But over the last several years, borrowed from the great J.R.R. Tolkien, “there is always hope” has been the most meaningful to me. It helps, you know, considering all the darkness around us.
Interview: Electra Limnios
