In a recent interview with BraveWords, guitarist Gus G. (born Konstantinos Karamitroudis) opened up about his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne from 2009, including contributions to the 2010 album Scream, and shared insights into Osbourne’s longstanding aversion to performing material from the Jake E. Lee era. The Greek shredder, known for his solo work and leading Firewind since 1998, also addressed his absence from Black Sabbath’s reunion event, Back to the Beginning, held at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5, 2025—just days before Osbourne’s passing.
Gus G. expressed no bitterness about not being invited to the historic show, which featured the original Black Sabbath lineup under the direction of Tom Morello. “I didn’t know about that,” he said. “I was just not in touch at all… I guess I wasn’t on the list, so it’s okay. I’m not sad about it. I’m happy it happened, as a metal fan.” He highlighted his own accomplishments, noting, “I got my fair share of jamming with Ozzy. How many people can say that?”
The conversation turned to the Jake E. Lee-era albums Bark at the Moon (1983) and The Ultimate Sin (1986), which Gus G. praised enthusiastically. Osbourne, however, had avoided performing tracks from this period for years. Gus G. recalled a direct exchange that may have influenced a change: “I remember one day going up to him and telling him how much I loved Ultimate Sin. And he was like, ‘I don’t like the production of that, and I wasn’t in a good mood, in a good state of mind.’” Undeterred, Gus G. emphasized the record’s strengths, particularly the track “Killer of Giants.” Shortly afterward, he noted its reappearance on the setlist during his time in the band.
“I get it, that it’s not his favourite era or whatever,” Gus G. added, while celebrating Lee’s return to the spotlight at the reunion. “I’m actually happy that somebody like Jake E. Lee was back.”
Gus G. continues to tour globally with Firewind and his solo projects, cementing his status in the heavy metal community.
