Gordi were a Yugoslavheavy metal band from Belgrade. Their initial works were mostly progressive rock-oriented and only their last two studio albums, Pakleni trio and Kraljica smrti were heavy metal-oriented. However, these are the albums for which Gordi are generally most remembered and are considered milestones on the former Yugoslav heavy metal scene.
History
The band was formed in November 1977 by former Džentlmeni, Fleš and Dah member Zlatimir Zlatko Manojlović. The band's first lineup consisted of Zlatko Manojlović, Zlatko's brother Goran Manojlović, Stevan Milutinović Steva and Dragan Janković. After Zdenko Pomper replaced Janković on bass guitar, the band released its debut albumČovek in 1978, through ZKP RTLJ. Album featured song "Misli", which was previously released on the B-side of the single "Žeđ", the last single released by Manojlović's previous band Dah. The album was progressive rock-influenced and in an interview for Rock Express Zlatko Manojlović described the band's sound as "psychedelic". Soon after the album release, Pomper was replaced by Slobodan Svrdlan, and Gordi released their second studio albumGordi 2. the album was released in 1979 through PGP-RTB. While the band's first album was mainly progressive rock-oriented, Gordi 2 featured more hard rock elements. In 1980 Zlatko Manojlović released his first solo albumZlatko i njegove gitare, and in 1981 the band released their third studio album Gordi 3 through PGP-RTB. Although progressive/hard rock-oriented, Gordi 3 also featured pop music elements. The same year, Gordi performed as the opening band on Ian Gillan Band concert in Belgrade Pionir Hall. In 1981, Gordi became a power trio, after Stevan Milutinović was replaced by Čedomir Petrović "Čeda", and Goran Manojlović left the band. The band signed for Jugoton and released the album Pakleni trio which marked Gordi's shift towards heavy metal. In 1982, the band released their second heavy metal-oriented album, Kraljica smrti, however, they failed to sustain their popularity and disbanded two years after the album release.
Post breakup
Manojlović dedicated himself to his solo career. Svrdlan became a member of the heavy metal bandRatnici, releasing two albums with them. In 1983, he played bass guitar on U Škripcu album O je!. In the early 1990s he was a member of the American band Lost City, recording the album Watching You with them, and in the late 1990s of the British band Michael Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel, recording the album Love Lies Bleeding with them. In 2005, he appeared as a guest on Generacija 5 album Energija, playing bass guitar on five tracks. In 1994, the song "Put do pakla" was released on Komunacompilation album . In 2006, Rock Express Records rereleased Pakleni trio, featuring four videos as bonus material. In 2007, the same record label rereleased Kraljica smrti, featuring three videos as bonus material.
