Aris Tomas was the sole mastermind behind the highly successful and often outlandish project that helped usher in the Hip-Hop generation in the country of Greece. Best known for the songs "(Den Boro N'antistatho) Se Thelo", "Etsi Einai", H Ekthikisi Tou Karagyozi" & To Tsifteteli Tis Masahusetes.Modern Fears were formed in 1990 by Aris Tomas. There were two original members, Aris Tomas (Vocals, Rap & Lyrics) and Apostolis Vasiliadis (Keyboards). They met while working on a single called "Computer Guy" for a famous Greek DJ/Performer named Palmer. The two also collaborated before forming Modern Fears on the first rap song ever produced in Greece entitled, "Dee Jay's Life. Aris wrote the lyrics and was the featured rapper on the track. The first official Modern Fears single was called "We Got To Love" and was released on a small Greek indie label called Eva Records in 1991. The song was a dance track originally recorded at Sierra Studios in Athens, Greece. Post production was done at Tracks Studio by Vassilis Dertilis (BANG!) and Fransisco Softas. The songs introduction include was an original sample of an announcement made by CNN correspondent Brenard Shaw during the first bombing of Bagdad, Iraq. The flip side of the 12" vinyl single was a mixture of samples (over 120 samples bytes) that were mashed into a track called "Nostradomos" aka "Iraq Light". The single sold over 3000 vinyl copies in Greece and in Cyprus. Do to artistic differences the duo split and Aris carried on turning Modern Fears into a project i.e. Soul II Soul. In 1992 Aris Tomas signed a record deal with one of the largest record labels in Greece, Minos-EMI. The first official full-length Modern Fears album "H Anametrisi" (The Showdown) was release in April and became an instant success selling over 20,000 copies. It spawned many hits such as "H Ekthikisi Tou Karagiozi", Den Boro N'antistathos "Se Thelo" (which incidentally is one of the first Greek rap hits that can still be heard today in the clubs) and "Etsi Einai"among others. Aris also produced and directed the videoclips for "Se Thelo" and "Etsi Einai". A second Modern Fears album was release in December 1993, "Epithesi Apo Ton Ari" (Attack From Mars) but it was simple to far ahead of its time. The album had success in the DJ market but failed to crossover do to the fact of its innovative concept and content. In 1996 Aris parted ways with Minos-EMI and signed a record deal with Polygram (Greece) releasing the album "Sta Ksafnika" using his name and dropping the pseudonym. Aris is currently living and recording in the USA.
For more about ARIS TOMAS visit Wizard RecordsARIS TOMAS - Modern Fears (A Short Film) part 1
