by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
Day 2
Following a highly successful first day, New Long Fest continued on Sunday with a line-up that showcased a wide range of heavy music styles. While the first day was predominantly focused on punk, the second offered a far more diverse musical palette and promised an equally exciting experience. Once again, we were there from the moment the gates opened, fully equipped with everything we needed, and took our place to enjoy the first band of the day, which was…
Little Black Something: Little Black Something are an Athens-based band that has found the perfect recipe by blending heavy rock, alternative rock, and punk rock into an irresistible sound. They had plenty to say at New Long Fest. As I quickly realized, they have written a wealth of great songs that truly come alive in a live setting. Undoubtedly a cool band, they were exactly what the festival needed at that point of the day, while the sun was still beating down. The small but enthusiastic crowd clearly enjoyed every moment, rewarding each song with warm applause. It was a thoroughly accomplished and highly satisfying performance from Little Black Something.
Nix: We then made our way to the smaller stage just as Nix were about to begin their set—and it proved to be an excellent decision. Their blend of shoegaze and alternative rock sounded both inspired and deeply atmospheric, effortlessly drawing the audience into its dreamy soundscapes. The Athens-based band treated us to a selection of their beautiful songs, and we enjoyed every minute of it. Tight, cohesive, and completely focused on their craft, they took us on a captivating musical journey that felt both precious and unforgettable. I am absolutely convinced that, if they continue on this path, they have all the potential to deliver truly outstanding masterpieces in the years to come.
Messier 13: Next up were Messier 13. As the band themselves describe it, they play shoegaze/slowcore—a fitting label for the hypnotic, laid-back, and deeply emotional journey that defines their music, part of which we were fortunate enough to experience at this year’s New Long Fest. I came away thoroughly impressed by a band that doesn’t rely on volume or sheer noise to make an impact. Instead, Messier 13 spoke directly to our souls that afternoon, inviting us to reflect, feel, and become completely immersed in their music. They are undoubtedly a band with tremendous potential, one that raises expectations for what lies ahead.
Bastard Sword: I thought it was about time we enjoyed a power trio! Bastard Sword, the band in question, specialize in a compelling blend of stoner and doom metal, enriched with generous doses of epic atmosphere and psychedelic textures. From the moment they hit the stage, they had us captivated with their crushing riffs and monumental compositions. I thoroughly enjoyed their concise yet highly effective set, and their sophisticated approach to the genre genuinely caught me by surprise. Bastard Sword are a band with the right mindset and a clear artistic vision, qualities that allow them to transform their musical ideas into something truly compelling. Bravo!
Honeybadger: One of the finest emerging bands in the Greek stoner rock scene, Honeybadger simply had to be part of this year’s New Long Fest. Armed with a powerful, tight sound, infectious enthusiasm, and the unwavering support of the audience, they delivered a highly convincing live performance. Much of that success came from the strength of their original material, combined with a fearless “give it everything you’ve got” attitude that never let the energy drop. Having seen what they can do both in the studio and on stage, I can confidently say that Honeybadger continue to impress on every level. Keep it up, guys!
Kidney Black: This was the second time I had seen Kidney Black live over the past few months, and I have to say I enjoyed them considerably more this time around. The Greek band blends heavy rock with post-punk and alternative rock/grunge influences, and they do so with confidence and authenticity. Their set kept us thoroughly engaged, delivering a series of powerful musical moments throughout their performance. The only observation I would make is that their live presence could benefit from a bit more energy and movement on stage. Overall, however, they put on a very solid performance and left a positive impression.
We.Own.The.Sky: I was deeply impressed by We.Own.The.Sky’s album “In Your Absence”, which showcases breathtaking post-rock/post-metal, driven by powerful rhythms and an utterly immersive atmosphere. Naturally, I had been eagerly anticipating their appearance at New Long Fest—and they rewarded that anticipation with a spectacular performance. Their set was of the highest standard, the kind of live show you would expect from an internationally established act. Performing some of the finest moments from their repertoire, they played with absolute focus and flawless chemistry, united as one and drawing the audience into a mesmerizing musical journey. Without question, We.Own.The.Sky rank among the finest post-rock/post-metal bands in Greece today, and their performance was nothing short of magnificent.
Their Methlab: And the post-rock/post-metal journey continued! Immediately afterwards, Their Methlab took the stage, and they were equally impressive with their performance. I really enjoyed their songs, their stage presence, as well as the way they connected with the audience. During their approximately 35-minute set, Their Methlab delivered instrumental rock filled with character, vision, and style, creating haunting atmospheres through powerful riffs and subtle, deeply emotional melodies. Their unique approach to post-rock/post-metal captivated us, and they truly gave a remarkable performance. This is what it’s all about!
Slow Crush: And what came next? Of course, Slow Crush—the Belgian shoegaze band who stepped onto the New Long Fest stage ready to give it their all! And that is exactly what they did, with the now much larger crowd showing its appreciation and cheering them on. To be honest, Slow Crush did not completely win me over, although the alternative rock elements in their sound worked particularly well and added an interesting dimension to their music. Nevertheless, they delivered a more than respectable performance, playing their songs with confidence, attitude, and pride, while their sound was impressively powerful. They are definitely a band worth keeping an eye on!
Stinking Lizaveta: At 11 pm, Stinking Lizaveta took over the small stage of New Long Fest, drawing a packed crowd. They were the second international band of this year’s festival and, without a doubt, the biggest surprise of the entire two-day event. The Philadelphia-based power trio completely blew us away with their unique take on what is described as “doom jazz”! Personally, I would say their sound is closer to heavy rock infused with strong doom and progressive elements. Whatever label you choose to give them, their music sounded absolutely fantastic. Their hard rock approach was both soulful and incredibly intelligent, blending heaviness with creativity and sophistication. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, clearly impressed by what they had just witnessed. Stinking Lizaveta are a band that truly deserve far greater recognition and a much wider audience.
Naxatras: And so we reached the climax of the second day of this year’s festival: Naxatras, the outstanding Greek prog/psychedelic/space heavy rock band. The last time I had seen Naxatras live, they were absolutely phenomenal. This time, however, I felt they were not quite at their usual level of enthusiasm. Yes, they performed very well, as they always do, but there seemed to be something slightly holding them back. In my opinion, this was largely due to the smaller attendance on the second day of the festival. Fewer fans meant a more restrained atmosphere, quieter reactions, and a generally more relaxed environment—something that certainly did not help the band reach the same level of energy they have achieved in the past. Nevertheless, credit must be given to Naxatras for giving their absolute best, both technically and emotionally. Regardless, we had the chance to enjoy another great performance from them, and they were excellent! The quality of their songs is simply undeniable—their compositions open up incredible sonic dimensions and take the listener on extraordinary journeys. It may have been a challenging night for Naxatras, but in the end, everything turned out just fine!
With a celebratory yet somewhat intimate atmosphere, New Long Fest 26 came to an end. The curtain fell on what I can confidently describe as a truly successful festival, where everyone—both the bands and the music lovers who attended—had an amazing time. Before we wrap things up and renew our appointment for next year, I would like to highlight that, in my opinion, the best band of the entire festival was Stinking Lizaveta! See you next year, everyone. Let’s stay healthy and return once again to enjoy so many exciting and talented bands!
