In 2007, Papathanasio had to opt out of certain tour dates with Firewind. His position was temporarily filled by Henning Basse of Metalium. Apollo's last releases with Firewind was "Few Against Many" (2012). On 15 January 2013, Firewind announced that the band had parted ways with Apollo. After his departure from Firewind he has continued on with Spiritual Beggars and released return to zero (2010) Earth Blues, 15 April 2013 and Sunrise to Sundown (2016).
Papathanasio also works as a music teacher for a school in Halmstad.