The rendezvous of the doom metal fans in Athens had been set for the 2nd of November, 2024 at Fuzz Club. We all met there around eight o’clock and standing united, we waited for the support act (Temor) and the headliners to take center stage – the mighty Candlemass! Here you will find a description of what happened that Saturday night – doom fell on us, my friends!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
The role of the opening band was given to Temor, an up-and-coming Greek melodic black/death metal band, which entered the stage and electrified us with their storming performance. From the first to the last note of their set, the group from Volos didn’t just deliver the goods, but gave us a great taste of their top-class material. Everyone was thrilled with the band’s raw energy, the infectious extreme metal songs and their cohesive sound – I am sure that Temor gained some new fans that evening! Some other interesting things about Temor’s set were the amazing guitar work and the special sound of the halldorophone, which elevated the band to a high artistic level. The Greeks are so promising – we have high expectations for them in the near future.
Having enjoyed the show of Temor, we were ready for the masters of doom metal – Candlemass didn’t leave us waiting for too long. Leif Edling and company invaded the stage and started performing their classic songs with conviction, welcoming us to their fantastic realm of good doom metal music! We heeded their call and soon we ascended to heaven! It was a celebration of huge guitar riffs, menacing vocals and a super-heavy rhythm section – all executed with technique, emotion and tons of energy! The audience was screaming in ecstasy, being so satisfied with the doom and gloom of the Swedes. Every astounding lick and riff of the two guitars, every jaw-dropping line of Edling’s bass, every twist of the rhythm section awed the fans, who were so happy to experience this doom metal litany before them! And Johan Längqvist sang his lungs out, causing shock and awe – he isn’t Messiah Marcolin, Robert Löwe or Mats Leven, yet his deliverance was incredible, so soulful and heartfelt. The doom metal kings selected wisely the songs of the setlist, the fans were exhilarated and the show culminated at the end with the legendary tunes of “Demon’s Gate” and “Solitude”! Candlemass had played an unbelievable concert and before leaving the spotlight, thanked all their Greek fans from the bottom of their heart.
Live shows like that one of Candlemass are meant to stay in our mind forever, because they play like it is their last concert ever! Candlemass offered us everything they have and we are so grateful to them. It was a true doom metal blast – one that will never be forgotten!
