October’s concert calendar was set to close with a night we knew would give the month a fitting send-off. It was a special occasion for followers of this side of heavy music: three bands from three countries, challenging familiar forms while keeping thrash at the core of their aggressive, technical sound. Cryptic Shift represented the younger generation still shaping its identity, while Depressive Age and Coroner brought historical weight, with the German veterans making their first-ever appearance in Greece and the latter returning to Athens after fifteen years, now with a new member completing the band’s emblematic trio. All these factors made this concert a must-see event for any fan of the genre.
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.
