It was a warm Saturday evening, at the 14th of September, as we joined the death/black sensations Belphegor for a hellish night in Mylos Club Thessaloniki. With Confess as an opening band and Malevolent Creation as co headliners, this was a show doomed to take us to hell and back.
by Christina X
photos by Christina X
Waiting for the doors to open at the familiar Mylos Club in Thessaloniki, you could see excitement coursing through everyone’s veins. Belphegor were coming to town as part of their European tour, with Malevolent Creation and Confess. As the clock showed 7pm, we slowly made our way towards the inside to begin our night.
Groove death metallers Confess were the first ones to hit the stage. Their electric energy and riffs coursed through the crowd and were a very strong start. The drums were on fire and everyone was flawless. Moshpits arose and the bassist made his way into the crowd in what became an extremely memorable moment. As the final notes played, we were left in awe.
Next up were co headliners Malevolent Creation. Their presence immediately made people hype and they started chanting for the band. Soul crushing riffs followed, the drummer was unstoppable and the vocals were outstanding. The bond between them was clear right from the get go, as all the members were harmonic till every last phrase. The atmosphere was blood packed. Headbanging, moshing and people screaming along were key parts of the experience. Speed, adrenaline, screams of desolation and progressive elements all blended beautifully. They played a set list full of hits and got the crowd pumping. Their set slowly came to an end and anticipation grew more by the second.
Belphegor’s set was still being built. The stage crew carried their equipment. Swords, goat heads, skulls, fire stilts and crosses were all present. Fog and lights were all ready and set up. The lights dimmed, a deathlike silence fell. Belphegor entered, one by one, saluting the crowd. The chants and screams echoed throughout the venue. They began their set and the night went ablaze. The warmth of their fires glazed our skin. Hellmuth, commanding and full of adrenaline, saluted the Thessalonikian crowds, looking down at the excited faces. We were overcome by the feeling. The Belphegor chants were deafening and for the second time, he glared down before unleashing hell. Like a spell, each song passed by, and everyone was awestruck. “Stigma Diabolicum” was the highlight of the night for me. The band looked up proudly as people screamed for them. Their show was breathtaking. As their set slowly ceased, they bowed.
One thing is for sure. Belphegor unleashed hell over Thessaloniki and possessed us one by one. One of the most memorable, if not the most memorable show I’ve ever witnessed.
