A Greek Metal band named after the legendary British fighter plane of World War Two infamy. Vocalist Dino Costakis was badly injured in a car crash curtailing the band's career. The act returned, retitled SPEEDFIRE for legal reasons, and a 1990 live album. SPITFIRE would apparently resurrect themselves during 1997 for live work. The band would now be fronted by ex-POWER CRÜE man Alexis 'Hannibal' Balakakis with drums supplied by British born Mark Cross, a former member of MAGNA CARTA. Balakakis would take time out in 1998 to session lead vocals on the MUTINY demo 'Faded Pages'.

Cross would later join occult Metal band NIGHTFALL prior to hooking up with the German / American band METALIUM, sessioning for KINGDOM COME in 2000 before enrolling in premier Metal band HELLOWEEN in August of 2001. However, he sticksman was forced out of HELLOWEEN whilst recording the 2002 album Rabbit Don't Come Easy' due to contracting the debilitating Epstein-Barr virus. MOTȪRHEAD drummer Mickey Dee stepped in to complete the album but Cross' affliction meant he had to miss out on touring too.

Fully recovered Cross, assembled VALANOS in union with erstwhile SPITFIRE colleagues guitarist Elias Logginedes and bass player Gus McRicostas, PHANTOM LORD vocalist Vasili Axiotes with the SEPTIC FLESH, CASUS BELLI and NIGHTFALL credited Bob Katsiones handling the guitar / keyboard role. McRicostas also cites prior membership of BATTLE ROAR and CASUS BELLI. Cross joined US Power Metal band WINTER'S BANE in July of 2004.

2004 found ex-singer Alexis 'Hannibal' Balakakis announcing his new band, fittingly entitled HANNIBAL. The modern styled Metal act signed to Sleaszy Rider Records for a debut album 'This Is U'. Cross joined German act AT VANCE in February 2005. Former keyboard player George Aspiotis founded KINGDRAGON in 2006.