Born in 1980 in Thessaloniki, Greece and started studying drums in 1997. 
Since 2003 he has been teaching and doing Clinic Sessions in multiple cities around the world.

Fotis invented the concept of the “Hellblast” technique. A variation of the normal “blast-beat”, where the main difference is that the blast is performed by one foot only. 

He has worked with various bands such as: 
Nightrage and Firewind, until 2002 when he joined Septicflesh for their European tour promoting their "Sumerian Daemons" album (Hammerheart Records). 

Ever since he released 3 studio albums with Septicflesh by Season of Mist Records :
“Communion” - 2008, mixed and produced by Fredrik Nordstrom, 
“The Great Mass" – 2011, mixed and produced by Peter Tägtgren
“Titan” - 2014, mixed and mastered in Los Angeles by Logan Mader 

With Septicflesh Fotis toured Europe, United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan and Australia with top-of-the-field-bands, such as Children of Bodom, Amon Amarth, As layDying, Megadeth, Kreator and many more and performed in big European Festivals (Hellfest, Summer Breeze, Southern Discomfort, etc).

As a “Sound Engineering and Music Technology” graduate he is the proud co-owner of “DEVASOUNDZ” studios, which is taking over the majority of heavy bands such as:
ROTTING CHRIST,MELECHESH, SEPTICFLESH, CHAOSTAR, THE FALLEN WITHIN, ACID DEATH, INNERWISH, W.E.B, among others.

Fotis Benardo is also a founding member and frontman of the rock band SixForNine which has recently released their debut album.

Fotis is powered by:
Mapex drums, Evans Drumheads, Masterwork cymbals, Vater Drumsticks, and Czarcie Kopyto drum pedals.

He has performed in Agora stage @ MusikMesse Franfurt 3 years in a row representing Mapex drums and Masterwork cymbals.





     