Sensory Records has announced the signing and forthcoming release of Greek progressive metallers PERSONA NON GRATA. Their upcoming debut release is entitled Shade In The Light, and will be released on February 24th, 2009.

Says the label, "Greece has always had some of the most fervent metal fans in the world. Although the main interest has been so called “true metal” bands in the style of MANOWAR and IRON MAIDEN, progressive metal started to take hold of the country in the 90s. Bands such as DREAM THEATER and FATES WARNING routinely perform in Athens and both have released live CDs and DVDs from their Greek performances. Greek bands such as FRAGILE VASTNESS and Sensory’s own WASTEFALL have generated a buzz worldwide and the scene continues to expand. Persona Non Grata will surely continue this tradition of great progressive metal.

Persona Non Grata’s formation began in 2003 when John Ioannidis (keyboards) invited Chris Gatsos (guitars) to join his group FATAL ERROR. It didn’t take long for John and Chris to realize that they had to move on to progressive metal music which was a mix of rock that John loved to play and heavy metal that Chris grew up with. In order to achieve this they had to change the band’s lineup. During this period they focused on writing the music, which would be the material for their first CD Shade In The Light.

It was two years later when vocalist, Bill Axiotis, joined the PnG group and they started recording this album. They asked session musicians Akis Gavalas (drums) and Chris Vogiatzis (Bass) to help record the release. When the sessions were over they felt a synergy with the three members of the band and came on board permanently, completing the lineup of Persona Non Grata.

Shade In The Light captures a band creating complex music but coming from the melodic end of the metal musical spectrum. Similar bands would include CIRCUS MAXIMUS, VANDEN PLAS and POVERTY'S NO CRIME."

More on Persona Non Grata at the band's MySpace page.