Guitar virtuoso GUS G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as OZZY OSBOURNE's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, has announced an initial batch of European tour dates in order to promote his first, long overdue solo album, I Am The Fire, which will released on March 17th in Europe and March 18th in North America via longtime international partners Century Media Records.

The touring campaign sees Gus G. kick off with some shows in his native Greece and in Cyprus, teaming up with guitar legend and former SCORPIONS member ULI JON ROTH as well as JORN LANDE and MATS LEVEN. The dates are as follows:

March

7 - Kerkyra, Greece - Eptatehnon
8 - Thessaloniki, Greece - Block 33
9 - Edessa, Greece - Kanavourgeio
10 - Larnaca, Cyprus - Savino Rock Bar
11 - Athens, Greece - Kyttaro Live
12 - Athens, Greece - Kyttaro Live

Furthermore, Gus G. has also confirmed co-headline dates together with guitar virtuoso and former MEGADETH member MARTY FRIEDMAN as part of the Guitar Universe 2 tour, which showcases a collaboration of two of the world’s most exciting guitar players coming to Europe in May 2014. Here are the dates announced so far, with many more to be revealed in the coming weeks:

May

1 - Tampere, Finland - Klubi
2 - Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi
3 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stockholm Rocks Festival
11 - Colmar, France - Grillen
12 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
15 - Essen, Germany - Turock
16 - Zoetermeer, The Netherlands - De Boerderij
18 - Uden, The Netherlands - De Pul
20 - Savigny Le Temple, France - L’ Impreinte
21 - London, UK - O2 Islington Academy
22 - Nuneaton, UK - Queens Hall

Gus G. checked in to comment on the touring runs as follows: “Looking forward to starting my tour this spring and sharing the stage with 2 legendary guitar players! Me and Uli Jon Roth will be doing some exclusive shows in Greece this March, while in May I'll be teaming up with another hero of mine, Marty Friedman! Looking forward to playing my new songs from I Am The Fire live for the first time, keep checking back for show updates!"

Gus recently revealed the artwork and tracklisting for his debut solo album, I Am The Fire, designed by Gustavo Sazes (Abstrata.net - ARCH ENEMY, KAMELOT, DREAM EVIL, etc.)

Tracklisting:

'My Will Be Done' (featuring Mats Levén)

'Blame It On Me' (featuring Mats Levén)

'I Am The Fire' (featuring Devour The Day)

'Vengeance' (featuring David Ellefson)

'Long Way Down' (featuring Alexia Rodriguez)

'Just Can’t Let Go' (featuring Jacob Bunton)

'Terrified' (featuring Billy Sheehan)

'Eyes Wide Open' (featuring Mats Levén)

'Redemption' (featuring Michael Starr)

'Summer Days' (featuring Jeff Scott Soto)

'Dreamkeeper '(featuring Tom S. Englund)

'End Of The Line' (featuring Mats Levén)

A first song from the album can now be heard via the video for the album's opening track, 'My Will Be Done' (featuring Mats Levén), which was produced by Patric Ullaeus. You can watch the video below:

Says Gus G. of the song and album: "I hope you all enjoy the first taste of things to come. 'My Will Be Done' is a cool rock track with a modern edge to it... Looking back, I can't believe all the great musicians that got on board for this album. Everybody brought in their unmistakable style and talent and they really lifted the songs! Check it out and enjoy the music!"

Gus G. will be attending the 2014 NAMM convention, which runs January 23rd - 26th, in Anaheim, CA. In addition to signing sessions at ESP Guitars (January 24th, 2 PM) and Blackstar Amps (January 25th, 1 PM), Gus will also appear as guest at the RANDY RHOADS Remembered tribute concert at The Observatory in Santa Ana, January 25th.

Gus handles all guitar, bass and keyboards on I Am The Fire, and is joined by a roster of friends and guests that help bring his vision to fruition: drummers Jeff Friedl (A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUSCIFER, DEVO) and Daniel Erlandsson (ARCH ENEMY), bassists David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH) and Marty O'Brien (TOMMY LEE, WE ARE THE FALLEN), and vocalists Mats Leven (CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION), Blake Allison (DEVOUR THE DAY), Michael Starr (STEEL PANTHER), Alexia Rodriguez (EYES SET TO KILL), Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Jacob Bunton (ADLER) and Jeff Scott Soto (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, ex-JOURNEY).

I Am The Fire was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR) and was recorded between Los Angeles and Gus' home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. A few of the album's tracks include 'Eyes Wide Open', 'Redemption', 'End Of The Line' and 'Blame It On Me'. The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey and opening doors to GUS G.'s soulful playing.

The album's first commercial single - title track 'I Am The Fire' - will be released digitally February 25th in North America.

Check out BraveWords' new Gus G. feature at this location.