Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G., widely recognized for his tenure alongside Ozzy Osbourne and as the driving force behind FIREWIND, is set to return with his fifth solo effort, “Steel Burner”, arriving on April 24, 2026 via Metal Department Records.
The record ends a five-year gap since his last solo outing and showcases a dynamic blend of contemporary instrumental metal, enriched by thoughtfully selected guest vocal appearances.
After a long stretch on the road in the post-pandemic era, “Steel Burner” signals a refreshed and fully recharged commitment to Gus G.’s solo path.
The album highlights his unmistakable guitar approach — sharp technique, strong melodic sense, and sheer firepower — while broadening its emotional depth and thematic scope through guest spots from some of metal’s most iconic and highly regarded vocalists.
The title track, “Steel Burner”, sparked the creation of the entire album. Initially written for a manufacturer specializing in industrial metal-shaping machinery, Gus G. found inspiration in a powerful piece of equipment carrying the same name. The intensity and drive of that composition set the tone for the record’s direction and ultimately gave the album its title.
Although the instrumental pieces underline how far Gus G. has grown as both a songwriter and a guitarist, “Steel Burner” also delivers a series of striking vocal-driven tracks.
The legendary Doro Pesch lends her unmistakable presence to “Nothing Can Break Me”, a soaring metal anthem built around themes of strength, determination and standing tall against adversity. On “No One Has To Know”, Dino “Jelusick” Jelusić (WHITESNAKE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA) adds a contemporary hard rock edge, tackling the carefully manufactured identities and artificial lifestyles often projected through social media.
Matt Barlow (ICED EARTH, ASHES OF ARES) injects his signature power into “Dancing With Death”, an epic yet modern-sounding metal track that dives into the heavy subject of addiction. The album’s collaborative spirit is further strengthened by Ronnie Romero (RAINBOW, VANDENBERG, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP), whose recent world tour alongside Gus G. led to two additional songs, reinforcing the record’s dynamic and collective character.
On the upcoming LP, Gus G. comments: “This is my first solo album release in five years. As I’ve been pretty busy in the post-pandemic world with heavy touring, I always had the idea to put out another solo album at some point. This time around, I felt I wanted the best of both worlds — being able to explore guitar instrumental music, but also collaborate with singers I love and am a fan of.”
“Steel Burner” was mixed and mastered by renowned producer Dennis Ward (HELLOWEEN, PINK CREAM 69), resulting in a sharp, punchy and modern production that enhances both the intricate instrumental work and the commanding vocal performances.
With his fifth solo effort, Gus G. presents a bold and forward-thinking release — a record that pays respect to metal’s foundations while fully engaging with contemporary ideas, production values and creative partnerships.
The instrumental title track “Steel Burner” is now streaming on all digital platforms. You can also watch the official video below.
“Steel Burner” track listing:
01. Steel Burner
02. Nothing Can Break Me (featuring Doro Pesch)
03. Dancing With Death (featuring Matt Barlow)
04. Advent
05. What If
06. Frenemy (featuring Ronnie Romero)
07. No One Has To Know (featuring Dino “Jelusick” Jelusić)
08. Confession
09. My Premonition (featuring Ronnie Romero)
10. Closure
Recording line-up:
Gus G.: All guitars, bass, keyboards, drums
Doro Pesch: Vocals on track 2
Matt Barlow: Vocals on track 3
Ronnie Romero: Vocals on tracks 6 and 8
Dino “Jelusick” Jelusić: Vocals on track 7
Andrea Arcangeli: Bass on tracks 6 and 8
Dennis Ward: Bass on track 2
Previously the tracks “My Premonition” and “Advent” have been released as digital singles.
The full album will be available for streaming from all major platforms on April 24, 2026. “Steel Burner” will also be available as a tri-fold digipak CD and on high quality gatefold-sleeve vinyl LP (several color options will be available) from Metal Department on April 24, 2026.
Gus G. photo by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
