by Tasos Bouhoutsos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

First on stage were the highly active live outfit Darklon. With three albums under their belt and a line-up featured on their latest release, which formed the basis of their set, they began with plenty of drive, eager to prove their worth. Their material, characterized by fast-paced sections and mid-tempo passages, as well as high-register vocals, brought to mind bands from the past, mainly from the American heavy, speed and epic metal scene. With songs like the opening “In the Abyss”, “The Mad Messiah”, “Mind Reaper” and the new track “Venom Faith”, they delivered their material with energy, tight playing and plenty of movement from their vocalist, Bill Chrepas. However, the sound most of the time lacked clarity, particularly in the string instruments, so the riffs and melodic passages did not come through with the definition their material requires. This made it harder for those unfamiliar with the band to get a proper sense of what they have to offer musically. Nevertheless, Darklon delivered a successful performance, leaving a positive impression, while those who had seen them before could notice a further improvement in tightness and execution. Hopefully, we’ll have the chance to catch them again soon and possibly with a sound that does their music more justice.

The second Greek band, heavy/power metallers Black Soul Horde, took over without delay, keeping the atmosphere lively and benefiting from a slightly more defined sound. Their frontman, Jim Kotsis, established a good connection with the audience, encouraging them to join in by singing certain parts of the songs. The band delivered material from their now sizeable discography with directness and conviction, opening and closing their set with “A Scream in the Snow” and “The Creatures of the Night”, respectively, both taken from their latest album, Symphony of Chaos. The playing was solid throughout, the twin-guitar harmonies came through with the right sonic texture, and the vocals guided the performance, bringing out the expressiveness of the compositions. These featured several changes and heavier passages, while leaving most of the space to melodic sections and vocal lines that were easy to catch on first listen. The improving sound along with their consistency helped the band capture the audience’s attention. By the time they left the stage, their performance had surely encouraged many who might not have known them to seek out and explore their music. The evening was now at an almost ideal point, with the atmosphere just where it needed to be for the much-loved veterans Fifth Angel to take over.

The legendary American band took the stage without delay, with the iconic drummer Ken Mary appearing first. He stood behind his kit for a few moments, modestly greeting a crowd that responded with joy and excitement. There was a feeling he owed us this appearance after missing the band’s show two years ago due to other live commitments. It was also a chance for him to rejoin the live line-up of his own band and reconnect with the audience that first came to know him through Fifth Angel. The tour’s celebration of their defining debut made the occasion all the more meaningful and proved to be practically the perfect motive. With three classic members now on stage, they launched into their set with the feeling of a long-awaited appointment finally taking place. “In the Fallout”, “Shout It Out” and “Call Out the Warning” were enough to make everyone in the venue realize that the promise of the evening was about to become reality. There was plenty of movement, headbanging and singing along to every chorus, but above all, emotions rarely encountered in live settings these days. There are not many bands from the past still around, let alone ones capable of delivering their material so convincingly and expressing the unique feelings that this particular blend of heavy, power and hard rock can offer. As its true ambassadors, Fifth Angel were not discouraged by the rather poor sound with which their performance began. Their experience, tight playing and energy almost made you forget about it. Fortunately, things improved as the night went on, although the sound never quite reached the level needed to do justice to the band’s playing dynamics and the songs themselves. All of this, however, remained secondary, as the audience was experiencing the entire first album performed in its original running order. The band was obviously not there just to perform, but to treat them to a generous run of songs, as if fully aware of their anticipation and eager to give them the kind of night they had been waiting for. The set was rounded out with almost half the songs from the band’s exceptional second album, Time Will Tell, while the closing encore came after they had been offstage for barely a minute, with their established cover of UFO’s “Lights Out”. The experienced veterans, together with the two newer members on vocals and lead guitar – who proved excellent, fitting into their roles naturally – completed the picture of a band that holds its strong musical identity, not only in terms of its historical significance but also in the present. Almost as if enjoying a second wind, Fifth Angel took us back to another era through their music, seemingly distant yet somehow close, more romantic in our minds but still connected to the present through living, open bridges. When the set came to an end, the band bowed to their audience, took photos, and exchanged thanks and smiles. The feeling was mutual, as the evening closed in an atmosphere of warm satisfaction and genuine metal emotions.

For more demanding listeners, certain details mostly unrelated to the bands’ performances may have kept the experience from reaching its peak. Nevertheless, everyone seemed more than satisfied. All three bands gave their best, and their styles combined harmoniously and effectively. Although Sunday always comes with the thought of Monday waiting just around the corner, quite a few people would probably have been happy to continue the night out, with another dose of those sounds. That was ultimately the strength and message of this event: a celebration of the positivity this music can offer, bringing emotion and energy in a way that gives motivation and strength to those devoted to it. Until next time, then.

Το άρθρο FIFTH ANGEL, BLACK SOUL HORDE, DARKLON – GAZARTE GROUND STAGE, ATHENS, GREECE – 01/11/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

                                                                                                                        by Tasos Bouhoutsos

                       photos by Eleni Giamouridi

Cryptic Shift were the first to take the stage, bringing a highly technical form of death/thrash that immediately set them apart. Their music is built around constant shifts in rhythm, tempo and structure, often moving into unusual and almost disorienting territory, while retaining a strongly aggressive core. It was clear from the crowd’s response that they already have listeners here, with the positive reaction coming from people who seemed familiar with their material rather than simply welcoming an opening act. The band approached the set with confidence and professionalism. There was not much movement onstage, perhaps partly because their music demands a certain level of concentration, but that did not mean the performance lacked energy. The vocalist remained impressively steady while also handling the guitar, while the whole band carried out the demanding parts with precision and force. The sound was good overall, although a little more clarity would have helped bring out the full detail of such intricate arrangements. Their music may not be immediately accessible to someone encountering it for the first time, especially without a taste for highly progressive and technical extreme metal, and it is not always easy for the compositions to get someone on first listen. For those drawn to this kind of challenging, constantly shifting approach, however, Cryptic Shift offered a very rewarding opening performance, making a positive impression in general, proving to be more than a decent opening act.

Depressive Age followed, and from the moment they stepped onstage, their appearance felt like a long-awaited meeting finally coming to pass. There was a sizeable part of the audience that had clearly come specifically to see them, beyond those already present for the other bands. With a substantial discography and a distinctive musical identity, they have built a following that may be selective, but is evidently deeply attached to what they represent. The band seemed to recognize that response and returned it with a nearly excellent performance, supported by a very good sound and solid, tight playing throughout. Their set drew from all their albums, combining a great variety of material with carefully chosen songs that they clearly knew were particularly loved by their audience, delivering some special moments too, for the more dedicated ones. The flow between the changes was excellent, giving the performance a remarkably unified character that carried many tastes, while the band’s own distinctive atmosphere was enhanced by the lighting and translated beautifully into the venue. There was plenty of energy and movement from the band, with Jan Lubitzki standing out as an imposing, unmistakable frontman, carrying himself with an almost unshakable presence. What also stood out was the authenticity they brought to the stage. Despite the subtle industrial elements within their music, Depressive Age carried a broader metal and hard rock attitude, giving the performance a classic feel without making it sound dated or predictable. Their connection with the audience was understated but genuine, and the crowd remained highly engaged throughout. Even listeners who did not seem particularly familiar with their style were gradually drawn into the atmosphere they created. By the time they finished, the venue had filled considerably and the feeling had reached exactly the right level for the headliners.

The wait for the headliners felt longer than it actually was, but the anticipation finally came to an end as the lights went down and the intro, “Oxymoron”, filled the venue. Coroner took the stage with “Consequence”, followed by “Sacrificial Lamb”, both tracks from their recent album, Dissonance Theory, whose material – as expected – stood comfortably alongside the older songs. The crowd responded enthusiastically, moving and singing along, although many followed the musicians closely rather than reacting with the movement of a more straightforward thrash show. The sound remained full and powerful, even as it became rougher and louder towards the later part of the set. Ron Royce delivered a strong, credible vocal and bass guitar performance, retaining the distinctive edge central to Coroner’s identity, while Tommy Vetterli appeared at ease, handling the demanding guitar parts and characteristic solos with confidence. The new drummer also proved more than capable, playing powerfully and making an impressive impact in several passages, while fitting naturally into the band’s chemistry. Together, the trio maintained the tightness and precision that have always defined Coroner, with the additional keyboard elements supporting the sound without taking away from its core power. The set continued in full-power mode with songs like “Divine Step”, “Serpent Moves”, “Masked Jackal” and “Metamorphosis”, before “Grin” brought the main set to a close with its industrial, claustrophobic yet mesmerizing atmosphere, creating a peak in a rollercoaster of various expressions of their entity. The encore reached back to the band’s earlier material with “Die by My Hand” and “Reborn Through Hate”, solidifying the flawless performance we’ve just experienced. Though their interaction with the audience remained understated throughout – as their Swiss “class” would suggest, the band clearly enjoyed themselves, just as the crowd enjoyed the show. Arriving with the confidence of a new album that has already received a warm response, they had every reason to be satisfied and it showed. As the members gradually left the stage, the ambient sound continued, with the live keyboardist the last to leave and offer a final goodbye. It was a performance worthy of Coroner’s name, one that effortlessly cemented their relevance in the present, while proudly carrying their important legacy.

All in all, this was a night that delivered everything it had promised, and perhaps even more. The choice of bands was particularly well judged, bringing together three distinct expressions of a shared musical spirit, each with its own character and flavor. It made for a carefully curated bill that offered variety without losing its coherence, and the audience clearly appreciated the full range of what was on offer. It was equally rewarding to see people approach the event with an open mind, ready to enjoy each band on its own terms. The quality of the performances matched the expectations, and the night came to a close with the feeling that everyone had got exactly what they came for. See you at the next one.

Το άρθρο CORONER, DEPRESSIVE AGE, CRYPTIC SHIFT – GAGARIN 205, ATHENS, GREECE – 30/10/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

Let’s take things from the beginning! When we arrived outside Gazarte in the Gazi area, shortly after the doors had opened, quite a crowd had already gathered. First on the bill were Stavros Allos, a Greek band whose sound falls somewhere within the realms of eclectic Greek-language alternative pop/rock. Shortly after 9 p.m., the trio took the stage and treated us to their simple yet refined pop/rock sound. To be honest, while I liked their style, I didn’t find their melodies particularly interesting. They certainly have some work to do in that department, but their overall sound and approach are more than worthy of praise. Unfortunately, they also encountered a few technical problems, with the singer/guitarist having some trouble with his guitar pedals and the bassist even breaking a string on his instrument. Nevertheless, Stavros Allos put on a fairly decent performance, and the time passed pleasantly as we waited for Mercury Rev to take the stage.

It was a quarter past 10 p.m., and Gazarte Ground Stage was almost packed. You could see the anticipation on everyone’s faces, which quickly turned into excitement when psychedelic videos began appearing on the wall behind the stage. The time had come to experience the ultimate lyrical beauty, surrender to heavenly melodies, lose ourselves in dreamlike worlds and be swept away by an intoxicating sense of poetry! The five musicians who make up the current Mercury Rev lineup began playing the beautiful songs of this great psychedelic alt-pop/rock band with grace and joy. A band that enjoyed its greatest success in the late ’90s and early ’00s, Mercury Rev continue to impress both in the studio and on stage. They proved that they still command the stage with confidence, delivering their lyrical poems and painting beautiful pictures on an invisible canvas of music and emotion. The sound was excellent, their chemistry remarkable, their performance outstanding and their emotions so genuine, honest and dramatic. They played for just an hour and fifteen minutes, but that was more than enough to work their magic, move us deeply, spread their wings and take us on a journey to distant, fairytale-like places. Jonathan Donahue looked like a poet singing his magnificent songs, a prince leading us into his kingdom, a dandy lost in a monologue across meadows filled with flowers and colors. Grasshopper was weaving intricate sonic tapestries with his guitar, the two keyboardists added multiple layers of notes, while the drummer provided the rhythmic foundation for Mercury Rev’s psychedelic anthems. And what a setlist! We heard “The Dark Is Rising”, “Goddess on a Hiway”, “Holes” and, of course, “Tides of the Moon”, which gave us goosebumps and sent a shiver through the entire Gazarte audience. A powerful torrent of notes and words mesmerized us in the context of a magnificent performance that left us spellbound on every level: musically, literarily, spiritually and emotionally. It was a multi-layered explosion of sounds and images unfolding right before our eyes, an artistic triumph that resonated both within us and in the world around us. Unforgettable.

All is Dream …

Το άρθρο MERCURY REV, STAVROS ALLOS – GAZARTE GROUND STAGE, ATHENS, GREECE – 29/10/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

The promoter’s decision to hold the concert indoors proved to be absolutely right and successful, as the Purple’s show coincided with bad weather. This Autumn evening in Athens was rainy, which would have caused considerable inconvenience for everyone. So, on Tuesday afternoon, we headed to the concert equipped with an umbrella and soon found ourselves inside the venue. Although it was a regular working day, quite a few people had already gathered in the arena and the stands of Telekom Center. Nothing was going to stop the fans from enjoying Deep Purple, and the venue soon filled up, as we will see below.

The opening act was Jayler, an English band from the West Midlands, formed in 2022, who released their debut album, “Voices Unheard”, just a few months ago. From the moment they stepped on stage, it was clear that they play hard rock influenced by the ’70s and the giants of that unforgettable era! With a look and sound inspired by bands such as Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Free, AC/DC and others, the quartet delivered a fantastic performance and played really well. Their songs, some simpler and others more adventurous, were thoroughly interesting, while their performances, full of passion and a rebellious spirit, transported us back to the days when hard rock was flourishing. It was as if they had travelled from the past to the present in a time machine! Jayler proved to be the ideal band to open for Deep Purple! We had a great time with them, they really warmed us up, and I have to say I would have loved to hear them play for quite a while longer!

After the pleasant surprise that the young guys in Jayler had been for us, our minds turned back to the evening’s great headliners. The last time we had seen Deep Purple, they had been really good, and Simon McBride had been a revelation. We were hoping they would deliver the same kind of performance again and that Purple would be in good shape. And that’s exactly what happened! When the intro started playing on the video wall behind the stage, an entire arena felt the chills. Slowly, Deep Purple appeared before us, and the place went wild! “Highway Star” was chosen as the opening song, and the concert couldn’t have got off to a better start. Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Ian Gillan, Don Airey and Simon McBride were standing right in front of us, and you can imagine how emotional the moment was! However, it was clear that Gillan was struggling. At first, his voice wasn’t particularly strong or in great shape, but he gradually warmed up and improved considerably as the show went on. Glover and Paice were the ultimate rhythm section, McBride impressed us with his flawless playing and Airey painted beautiful musical pictures with his keyboards! The setlist was superb, featuring many of the band’s classic songs, as well as tracks from their latest album. Among others, we heard “Into the Fire”, “Smoke on the Water”, “Space Truckin’”, “Lazy”, “Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming”, “Perfect Strangers”, and more. The crowd sang, danced, went crazy, and gave the hard rock veterans the adoration they deserved. The instrumental solos were fantastic (Airey once again paid tribute to us by playing the theme from “Zorba the Greek”), the five musicians were full of energy, and the whole concert had a festive, magical atmosphere! The production was also top-notch, with flawless sound and lighting. And so, the concert came to a triumphant end, with Deep Purple bringing down the curtain after “Black Night”.

And so, a great concert took place, one that has already been written in golden letters in the concert history of our country. Deep Purple were magnificent, delivering a performance worthy of their immense legacy and legendary name! Deep Purple forever!

Το άρθρο DEEP PURPLE, JAYLER – TELEKOM CENTER, ATHENS, GREECE – 13/10/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

To be honest, we couldn’t really predict how many people would show up for this gig. All our estimates went out the window, as a large crowd gathered at Fuzz Club that October night. Older and younger fans alike were there, all united by their love for Doro, Warlock, and melodic heavy metal in general. According to the schedule, Obscurus Rex were set to open the show for Doro. Before getting down to the music, though, we should mention that it was incredibly hot inside the venue. Just imagine, we were already sweating before the concert had even started! Once the music kicked in, however, we forgot all about it!

Obscurus Rex wasted no time hitting the stage, fired up and ready to play their songs and make sure everyone had a good time. Apart from the fact that their sound was a little too trebly, the Greek power metallers did a great job and delivered a very solid, well-rounded performance. Playing a set consisting entirely of their own material, the Athens-based band performed flawlessly and received a very positive response from the crowd. The vocals were as powerful as they needed to be, the guitars sounded rough and sharp, and the solid rhythm section provided a strong backbone for their sound. It was clear that this is a band that knows its style well and has plenty to offer. We are looking forward to their new album, which, judging by what we heard, promises to be a very interesting release, to say the least!

After the Greek support act left the stage, preparations began for Doro. The German singer didn’t take long to storm onto the stage, ready and determined to give everything she had to her Greek fans! Carefully choosing some of the best songs from both Warlock and her solo career, including hits and deep cuts, the Metal Queen put together and delivered a fantastic setlist, exactly what the fans wanted and had been waiting for. She had incredible power, energy and passion, dominating the stage with the enthusiasm and mobility of a teenager! Her voice was also in excellent shape, making you feel as if not a single day had passed since the glorious days of the ’80s. As expected, “All We Are” caused absolute mayhem, with everyone singing along to the lyrics and headbanging non-stop. “Für Immer”, meanwhile, made us feel wonderful, as this classic ballad has the power to touch even the hardest of hearts. Her band consisted of nothing but excellent musicians (I’m personally a fan of Bill Hudson), while Doro herself had an amazing connection with the audience, showing just how kind and lovely a person, she is. With a huge smile on her face, as happy as a little child and headbanging relentlessly, she won us all over. Her cover of Judas Priest’s “Breaking the Law” was also outstanding. Yes, Doro is the ultimate metal goddess, proving that women can hold a prominent and important place in the male-dominated world of rock and heavy metal!

Doro treated us to a supersonic dose of pure, German heavy metal, delivering a jaw-dropping show of true, unadulterated steel that will remain in our memories and hearts for a long time to come. It was a captivating musical journey with Doro as its undisputed star, proudly proclaiming that she’s still here, full of energy and hungry for plenty more metal!

Το άρθρο DORO, OBSCURUS REX – FUZZ CLUB, ATHENS, GREECE – 09/10/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Hideaway photos by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Dentures and Destiny Calls photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

A few minutes after 20:30, the intro prepared by Hideaway was heard. Having been active in the melodic hard rock scene since 2010, Hideaway came on stage full of energy and enthusiasm, greeted by the warm applause of the crowd. This was my first contact with the band, and it was a completely positive and highly satisfying experience, although that does not mean everything was perfect. What do I mean? I really liked their songs, which are clearly the result of inspiration and love for this particular genre. However, I felt that, as a band, they still need some work to become as tight as they need to be. It’s not that they made mistakes; rather, the connection between the instruments was not particularly strong, but somewhat fragile. Also, while the singer’s tone and power made a good impression, his vocals were on the edge in terms of pitch in some parts. In any case, though, I liked Hideaway – they know their way around melodic hard rock, they have good songs in their repertoire and, if they pay attention to the details and work on them, their live shows can be excellent. I’m very happy that a band with so many years of existence is still going strong and, in fact, coming back even stronger!

What do we have next? Dentures, of course! They are a newly formed heavy metal band, although almost all of their members have many years of experience in the Greek hard n’ heavy scene. Dentures love fast, guitar-driven and wild heavy metal, the kind that owes a lot to Black Sabbath, Dio, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept, Motörhead, Raven and others. They too stormed onto the stage of Ilion Plus with confidence and enthusiasm, making it clear that they don’t mess around and that they have all the essential metal virtues: speed, intensity, solid technique and genuine, powerful emotion! Indeed, the quartet launched a strong classic metal attack, delivering excellent musicianship, intensity and “pain”, while giving us their soul, heart and mind! Lilian has a powerful voice that fits perfectly with the hard sound of the electric guitar and the intense bass, which, together with the drums, create a rough groove. It should be noted that three different drummers took turns behind the kit, as their regular drummer was dealing with an orthopedic problem – all three were absolute machine guns! Overall, Dentures gave a very strong performance and played their well-written songs with great skill. Just imagine what they will have to offer in the future, considering that they are only at the beginning of their journey!

With all that going on, time flew by, and the audience at Ilion Plus had really warmed up and was ready to enjoy Destiny Calls. The well-known hard rock band, faithful and consistent in keeping its appointment with its fans, took the stage, bringing us joy and excitement. The five musicians took their places and, in great spirits, with plenty of passion and smiles on their faces, delivered a beautiful, brilliant set of quality, well-played hard rock! It was an amazing feeling to hear and a real experience to “live” these sweet hard rock songs, packed with catchy melodies, memorable rhythms and a healthy sense of nostalgia! As expected, the show was stolen by both Aggeliki Rossolatou, who sang with her intoxicating tone, and the rich guitar sound of Spyros Fousekis. But what can one say about the thunderous drums of Peter Papapetros, the elegant keyboards of Georgios Georgiou, and the heavy, technical bass of Loukas Adamopoulos?! The setlist included songs by the band – I particularly enjoyed “Lonely Days”, “Falling Apart”, “Angel” and “Into the Night” – as well as two good and faithful covers: Bonnie Tyler’s “Hide Your Heart” and Survivor’s “Desperate Dreams”. You can understand that Destiny Calls’ live performance was fantastic and that we all had an amazing time! After their final notes, Destiny Calls said goodbye to us – we thank destiny for allowing us to experience such a night, and we are already looking forward to the next one! Yes!

Having seen and heard Hideaway, Dentures and Destiny Calls, we headed home, truly happy! We will always be grateful to God as long as we continue to experience such celebratory concerts!

Το άρθρο DESTINY CALLS, DENTURES, HIDEAWAY – ILION PLUS, ATHENS, GREECE – 04/10/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

On my way to Gagarin 205, I wasn’t sure how many people to expect. Turner certainly has a lot of supporters in Greece, but at a time with so many concerts and quite a few financial difficulties, you never really know in advance whether people will turn up for a particular show. In any case, when I arrived at the venue, quite a few people were waiting to get in, and eventually, just before the show started, Gagarin 205 was almost full!

Turner had a support band, the Greek Birds of Vale. I had seen the band before as part of the Heavy Psych Sounds Festival Greece, and I have to admit that I liked them. They play a mix of hard/heavy rock, southern rock and heavy blues, with guitars going wild, massive riffs and a frontman who has both the voice and the stage presence to give it his all. Well, this time Birds of Vale were even better. They were tight, solid and their sound was very powerful. As it turned out, the Greek band grabbed the opportunity with both hands and presented us with their very interesting songs, winning new fans and leaving plenty of promise for the future. Since they are also set to play a number of shows abroad in the near future, we wish them all the best – although I’m pretty sure they’ll do just fine!

Birds of Vale warmed us up nicely and, just before 10 p.m., we were ready to welcome the great headliner. Joe Lynn Turner didn’t keep us waiting for long! The legendary performer stormed onto the stage with his touring band and got us fired up with Rainbow’s “Death Alley Driver”! The American singer appeared in Greece for the first time without his trademark wig and looked completely liberated. He was in an incredible mood, gave us his all, sang flawlessly with that classic, beloved voice of his, and kept talking to us throughout the show, telling stories, making jokes and sharing positive messages. He was better than any other time we had seen him!!!

And what about the setlist? Absolutely brilliant! He didn’t play any songs from his solo career, focusing exclusively on songs from his days with Rainbow, Deep Purple and Yngwie Malmsteen. He also performed Deep Purple’s “Perfect Strangers” and “Highway Star”, before closing with “Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll” (Rainbow), which included “Black Night” and “Lazy” in a sort of medley.

The musicians backing him up, all members of Swedish heavy metal band Dynazty, were also amazing, incredibly skilled and full of feeling! The sound was fantastic, with all the instruments coming through loud and clear. Everything was in place for Turner to absolutely tear it up! You can imagine that Gagarin 205 was on fire for an hour and a half, with Joe Lynn Turner and all of us having an absolute blast!

After the medley, Joe Lynn Turner and his musicians said goodbye to the crowd in a celebratory atmosphere. Band and fans were equally overwhelmed as we experienced a true hard rock/metal celebration. With his performance and overall presence, Turner silenced the doubters and showed many people what he is still capable of. Never write him off – he is at the top of his game!!

Το άρθρο JOE LYNN TURNER, BIRDS OF VALE – GAGARIN 205, ATHENS, GREECE – 27/09/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

Before we get into exactly what happened, I think it is worth mentioning that the Athens show was originally scheduled to take place at Lycabettus Theatre. However, due to unfavorable weather forecasts, with thunderstorms expected on the day of the show, it was moved to Floyd, an indoor concert venue. The production team did the right thing by changing the venue, as there was no way we could have enjoyed the concert under bad weather conditions.

The question, however, is whether the right choice was made in terms of capacity, since the new indoor venue should have been able to accommodate a similar number of people as Lycabettus Theatre. Would Floyd be able to fit everyone who had bought tickets for the open-air venue? Or would we end up packed in like sardines, with barely any room to move?

As it turned out, when Floyd was announced as the new venue, the concert was also announced as sold out. Indeed, on the night of September 26, Floyd was packed, but fortunately, there wasn’t the slightest problem with the crowd or with everyone being able to comfortably enjoy their time at the venue.

But let’s cut to the chase!

The program did not include a support band. This meant that we would see The Gathering without any warm-up, but I don’t think anyone needed to warm up in order to watch the headliners – if anything, I would say it was better this way, since we could save our energy for The Gathering, who would have all our attention! That night would be all about the band and their fans!

Exactly at 8:30, as announced, the first notes were heard and The Gathering took the stage to the cheers and warm applause of the crowd. The first song was “Eléanor” and we all started jumping, singing and shouting along. The Dutch atmospheric metallers played some of the best songs of their career, focusing on “Mandylion”, but also going through some choices from “Nighttime Birds”, “How To Measure a Planet?”, “if_then_else” and more, in a set that included fourteen songs.

They were more than enough for us to lose ourselves in The Gathering’s attractive, beautiful universe. They were enough to take us on a journey through time and remind us of old days, of years gone by, from the mid-90s to the early 2000s. The musicians’ performance was amazing and passionate, with Anneke captivating us with the sheer beauty of her voice and her composed stage presence.

My only complaints were that the sound was not very loud, especially the vocals and guitars, which should have been turned up. Still, nothing could stop either the band or the audience from giving it everything they had and having an incredible time! The band was overwhelmed by the Greek audience, while we were living through a delirium, a frenzy – you should have seen what happened during “Strange Machines”!

We truly thank The Gathering for this immersive experience! I would like to end this report with a wish: we dream of a new The Gathering album with Anneke! But let’s not look too far into the future. Let’s live in the present and never forget this great concert!

After “Saturnine”, we left Floyd ecstatic. This is what live music is all about, these are the moments that matter! We have so many memories to hold on to until the next The Gathering experience!

Το άρθρο THE GATHERING – FLOYD, ATHENS, GREECE – 26/09/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

That was it. The ticket was bought in a blink of an eye and I was almost counting the days for it. This is a band I have been following, not from Day 1, but from their early studio days and this anticipation to see them live on stage had hit high hopes!

Speaking about a special night, how many times does someone get the chance to see both Mikael Åkerfeldt from Opeth and Tobias Forge from Ghost, DJ-ing before and after a gig? I don’t think too many.. This was an extra reason to get super excited about this event and all of us were super lucky! They played some really cool tunes, warming up the crowd and getting to meet and greet the fans, that was definitely a highlight of the whole night!

Around 8:00 pm. The Crypt got on stage and unleashed their occult, doomy heavy metal show, captivating the audience on every song. This is a band relatively new so to speak, as their debut album was released in 2024, but they sure have made a name so far as their performances on scene prove their fame and justify their hype. Their singer (previously in the band The Heard with 3/4 of Crucified Barbara) has a unique outfit with a customized horns set up in her head which matches the theme of the band, the riffs and the overall atmosphere of their playing.

The whole band performed very solid, with robust and very good sound and I must say that I give extra kudos to their guitar player (who appeared as a guest, replacing their regular guitarist) and drummer as they both kicked ass with their inspired and really massive sound and playing, but the whole band exceeded my expectations as I had never seen them before. This is definitely a band that I would like to see again live!

Approximately a bit more than 9:00pm it was about time for Crucified Barbara to show up and they did it emphatically, entering the stage with the iconic ‘Crucifier’ getting us all on our feet and getting the excitement to the top! After all those years, the anticipation and the hope of being here, this is finally happening.. Mia, Klara, Nicki, Ida, what a performance that was! What a welcome back from the audience who screamed in every song!

With 4 albums already in their suitcase, they delivered an all star playlist with their most accredited tunes, such as: ;Rock me like the Devil’, ‘Electric Sky’, ‘Ghost Inside’, ‘Feels like Death’, etc. This is a seriously ass kicking band, with very heavy riffs, rock solid rhythm section and very charismatic vocals, which altogether add up to a hard rock band ready to leave no doubt about what they are capable to do. Constant headbanging, immense energy and a – there is no tomorrow – playing style is the band’s trademark all those years and this night could not have been an exception. A wonderful moment when Mia kicked off ‘My heart is black’ with the acoustic guitar, before the song got really heavy, a beautiful tune from every perspective..

Ending this awesome Friday evening in Stockholm was ‘In Distortion we Trust’, one of my all time favorites. This combination of the dirty/really heavy riffs, the vocals and the overall groove really making it standing out, as it has the band’s attitude and character of heaviness and raw power. Frenzy drumming, leads, solos, rhythm guitars, all simply amazing and, with a headbanging you never forget! I could not have asked for something better!

Thank you girls and hope to see you next time, including maybe (why not) a new album!
In Crucified Barbara I trust!

Live Report, Video and Pictures
by Antonis Mantzavinos

Playlist:

1. Crucifier
2. Play Me Hard
3. Rock Me Like the Devil
4. Feels Like Death
5. Shadows
6. Storm Rider
7. Lunatic #1
8. Blackened Bones
9. The Ghost Inside
10. Electric Sky
11. In the Red
12. To Kill a Man
13. Go Roffe

Encore
14. My Heart Is Black
15. In Distortion We Trust

Το άρθρο CRUCIFIED BARBARA, THE CRYPT – KOLLEKTIVET LIVET STOCKHOLM – 25/09/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

Darkness had already fallen when we arrived outside the Athens venue. The doors had not opened yet, but Blackbriar fans had already started arriving, dressed in black, many of them with a strong gothic aesthetic and clearly impatient for the show to begin. The doors soon opened and we made our way inside, taking a position on the right side of the stage. As time passed, more and more people entered the venue, with the crowd eventually filling half of Fuzz by the time the first band took the stage.

Supporting Blackbriar were the Greek band Oceandvst. The three-piece took the stage at 9 p.m., exactly as scheduled, and started their set in a very warm and positive atmosphere. It did not take Oceandvst long to win the crowd over. They have strong original songs that sound particularly good in a live setting, and they quickly had the audience on their feet. This was one of the best support performances I have seen in Greece in recent years. Yes, Oceandvst have talent, personality, soul and that natural confidence of a band that knows it has what it takes to succeed. Everyone was excited by their songs, their covers of “All the Things She Said” by t.A.T.u. and “Going Under” by Evanescence, as well as their impressive stage presence. Chrysa, in particular, is a true rock persona! We were therefore treated to a fantastic alt-rock/metal band that gave us some great moments before Blackbriar took the stage. The future belongs to Oceandvst!

And so, we reached 10 p.m., when Blackbriar finally took the stage. From the very first notes, the crowd went wild, breaking into cheers and applause. The five musicians, led by Zora Cock, took their places on the spacious stage and launched into a set featuring some of their best songs. Clad in black, Blackbriar unleashed their melodic gothic metal attack, proving that everything people say about them is true. They are genuinely a surprisingly capable band, with fantastic compositions, individual talent, impressive chemistry and a unique vision. They deserve every bit of praise they receive, and they deserve to go high, very high! Zora Cock, wearing a beautiful lace dress, captivated us with her siren-like voice, while the rest of the band gave it everything they had, delivering an excellent performance. On this magnificent night, we watched Blackbriar establish themselves as rising stars of gothic metal, taking us deep into the dark, mysterious waters of their gothic aesthetic. They even brought a loom onto the stage!Their music was like a fairy tale, their lyrics like poetry, and their whole appearance simply enchanting. They really are a highly aspiring band, ready to make their dream come true. Those of us lucky enough to be at Fuzz understood it and believed it! Truly beautiful moments, both for the quintet and for their fans!

Blackbriar played for an hour and a half, giving us an ecstatic live show full of lyricism, magic and dark charm. Overall, it was a truly enjoyable night, with female-fronted rock/metal taking center stage. It is a night we will remember for a long time, and we are already looking forward to seeing both Oceandvst and Blackbriar on stage again!

Το άρθρο BLACKBRIAR, OCEANDVST – FUZZ CLUB, ATHENS, GREECE – 23/09/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.