Raven are one of the most historic heavy metal bands, and despite the passing of time, the big changes in the music industry and shifting trends, they continue to push forward—delivering powerful albums and even stronger live shows. From the early days of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal all the way to their 2023 album “All Hell’s Breaking Loose”, Raven have remained a symbol of fast, furious, and wildly energetic metal. So, when we heard they would be playing in Athens on May 27, we couldn’t do anything but be there.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
With all this in mind, we entered Piraeus Club Academy, which quickly filled up—not to capacity, but enough to create a lively atmosphere. The band chosen to open the evening was Black Soul Horde, a group that has earned considerable praise from the Greek metal audience over the past few years. Led by vocalist Jim Kotsis, the band stormed onto the stage, delivering pure, solid and uncompromising heavy/epic metal that immediately grabbed our attention. With several strong albums and a catalog of thoughtfully crafted songs behind them, they had no trouble putting together a highly engaging setlist. Black Soul Horde possess a sophisticated musical approach that demands the listener’s full attention, yet at Piraeus Club Academy they won over the audience with ease. Kotsis’s vocal performance was particularly impressive, reaching consistently high standards throughout the set, while the weeping guitars created a dense and evocative atmosphere with every phrase. Black Soul Horde are a skilled and talented band, and if they continue on this path, they have every chance of making a significant impact on the international metal scene.
Before long, it was time for Raven to make their triumphant appearance. Without unnecessary introductions or overblown theatrics, the British veterans stepped onto the stage and proceeded to tear the place apart. Raven played like men possessed. There is simply no other way to describe it. They were relentless, explosive and absolutely unstoppable. Brothers John Gallagher and Mark Gallagher spent the entire show charging from one side of the stage to the other, running, jumping, shouting, and pouring every ounce of energy into their performance. These are two eternal teenagers, seemingly untouched by time, musicians who have mastered the art of giving everything they have until the very last note. The sound was thunderous, the attitude infectious and the metal they delivered was fast, wild and electrifying. The setlist drew from every era of their career and kept the audience fully engaged, although I personally would have loved to hear my favorite Raven song, “Don’t Need Your Money” in its entirety—sadly, only the main riff made a brief appearance during the guitar solo. The guitar and bass solos were immensely enjoyable, while the medley of “Rock Bottom”, “Victim Of Changes”, “Supernaut”, “Breadfan” and “Children Of The Grave” sent the crowd into a frenzy. The entire performance felt like having a megaton bomb explode right in front of us.
Watching musicians of their age perform with such passion and intensity is genuinely inspiring. There was no arrogance, no narcissism and none of the clichés that often accompany veteran acts—just pure heavy metal delivered with honesty and conviction. Raven stole the show, and we responded by giving them the hero’s welcome they deserved. These are the kinds of concerts we need more of: authentic, unique, utterly unforgettable.
After Raven’s metal onslaught, we were left feeling exhilarated and completely satisfied. We had received exactly what we came for—and then some. This is the kind of metal that makes you feel like a small child on a playground, free from worries, responsibilities and everyday concerns. For a couple of hours, nothing else mattered except the music, the energy and the shared passion of everyone in the room. It was a reminder of why we fell in love with heavy metal in the first place. Thank you, Raven!
