VALANOS is a 2003 act founded by former SPITFIRE, METALIUM, KINGDOM COME and HELLOWEEN drummer Mark Cross. The British born sticksman had been 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 PHANTOM LORD vocalist Vasili Axiotes, erstwhile SPITFIRE colleagues guitarist Elias Logginedes and bass player Gus McRicostas 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 but also made time to forge a fusion project with Greek producer/engineer Hugo Varvoglis on bass and saxophone together with Berklee graduate Peter Aslanidis on guitar. Demos would be recorded at the Hype Studios in Athens.

Vasili Axiotes also guested on guitar virtuoso Overlord's PERPETUAL 2005 album. In February Cross joined German outfit AT VANCE. In the Autumn, Cross activated a new band unit billed GOD'S ARMY, a band unit conceived alongside the HALLOWED pairing of bassist John A.B.C. Smith and guitarist Ian O'Sullivan and featuring second guitarist Don Amiro. Yet another band outfit of Cross' would be THE SUPREMACY, a multi-national Metal band hailing from the UK, USA, Brazil and Holland comprising singer Rafael Gubert of AKASHIC and BARROS, guitarist Bill Hudson of CELLADOR, AQUARIA bassist Fernando Giovannetti and keyboard player Joost van Den Broek of AFTER FOREVER and AYREON repute.