The Heavy Metal SANDALINAS act began in Barcelona, Catalonia during 2000 when material from guitarist Jordi Sandalinas initiated the project. They debuted in 2001 with the EP 'Like An Arrow', seeing Sandalinas joined by guitarist Francisco Barrero, bass player Victor Cruz and drummer Toni. A further track, 'Die Hard', was released the following year.

Sandalinas then prompted noted Swedish producer and KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy LaRocque to assemble a band for the young Spaniard. A unit was soon built up, comprising seasoned musicians in the form of the TIME REQUIEM, MEDUZA, GARDENIAN and FAITH TABOO credited singer Apollo Papathanasio and DRACENA, MINDSNARE, MNEMONIC, NOTRE DAME, RUNEMAGICK, RELEVANT FEW and LORD BELIAL drummer Daniel 'Morbid Mojjo' Moilanen. The debut album would be crafted with the assistance of Spanish studio sessioneers Xavier Monfort and conservatory pianist Narcaas Palaha­. Produced by LaRocque, the KING DIAMOND man also donated guitar to two tracks 'All Along The Everglades' and 'If It Wasn't For You'.

SANDALINAS performed a one off gig in Spain during March of 2004. With Papathanasio unfortunately unable to attend, due to illness in the family, Criss Blackburn (a.k.a. Christer Elmgren) of VII GATES acted as stand in frontman. SANDALINAS signed to Germany's Massacre Records in December for the highly rated album 'Living On The Edge'.

SANDALINAS supported YNGWIE MALMSTEEN on his Summer 2005 Spanish dates before opening three dates for Y&T then a brace of shows for the SCORPIONS. Papathanasio would guest on VITALIJ KUPRIJ's 2005 opus 'Revenge' and in November joined Greek outfit FIREWIND. Papathanasio also provided session vocals for EVIL MASQUERADE's May 2006 album 'Third Act'.

SANDALINAS made a return with the album 'Fly To The Sun' issued by Metal Heaven in January 2008. By this juncture Sandalinas was heading up a band unit comprising singer Rick Altzi, of AT VANCE and THUNDERSTONE, bassist Mat Saint and drummer Alvaro Svanerö. Guest musicians included Derek Sherinian, of DREAM THEATER repute, on keyboards, and guitarist Chris Caffery, of SAVATAGE.