Another Rockwave Festival day, another celebration of loud guitars, thunderous rhythms and passionate fans under the blazing Greek sun. This particular day had a strong Greek character, emotional outbursts, lots of sweat and ended with a legendary act—W.A.S.P., headlining the night in their own theatrical and explosive way. But let’s take it from the top.
by Dimitra Koenka and Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Dimitra Koenka (@d.koenka_photography)
Opening the day were Korona Grammata, a Greek rock band carrying the spirit of classic acts like Trypes and Xylina Spathia. Their music is a mix of past and present, nostalgic yet grounded, modest yet powerful. Clean vocals, clear rock riffs and an overall authentic presence that felt honest and direct. Unfortunately, the gates opened later than expected, so the crowd was still gathering during their set. Yet those who were there early gave the band a warm response. The performance was sincere and their rebellious tone didn’t go unnoticed. A promising act that deserves a louder crowd next time.
Next came Achelous, and the mood shifted from mellow nostalgia to full-blown epic metal. The Greek metal warriors stormed the stage like an army ready for war. With massive vocals, razor-sharp coordination and thunderous riffs, their performance was nothing short of breathtaking. Every moment felt calculated down to the millisecond—intense and focused like a cinematic battle scene. Achelous have been rising steadily over the last few years, and it was obvious from this performance why: they’ve got the songs, the energy and the attitude. One of the strongest moments of the day.
And then Anorimoi! You never know what to expect, and that’s exactly the point. Their entrance alone, full of sarcasm, inside jokes and theatrical absurdity, had the crowd laughing and headbanging at the same time. Musically tight, vocally wild and with an explosive stage presence, Anorimoi once again proved that humor has a rightful place in metal. Their satirical lyrics, over-the-top antics and relentless connection with the audience made them one of the most entertaining sets of the day. We didn’t want it to end—and neither did the crowd, who sang, shouted and laughed all the way through.
Before W.A.S.P., we were treated to the unique energy of Skyclad, the UK folk-thrash legends who brought something different to the stage. Their mix of metal and folk, political lyrics and upbeat energy made for a truly engaging performance. Skyclad played many fan favorites from their long career, and treated us to a killer cover of Thin Lizzy’s “Emerald”, earning huge cheers from the crowd. Despite many sound inconsistencies, their chemistry and musicianship carried the set. It was a perfect warm-up for what was to follow.
The moment everyone had been waiting for. W.A.S.P. took the stage amid roaring cheers and delivered a powerful show. Blackie Lawless proved everyone wrong about the playback rumors, singing with passion and strength. The whole performance felt like a trip back to the glorious ‘80s — with big stage props, fire, and a theatrical atmosphere that thrilled the fans. The band played for about an hour and a half, offering many of their classic hits. Blackie was in great shape, both physically and vocally, and he gave everything on stage. The crowd was wild, singing and shouting throughout the set. One big surprise was that they didn’t play “The Idol”, even though many fans were shouting for it. That was a small letdown, but it didn’t ruin the experience, of course. W.A.S.P. gave us a solid and emotional performance, full of heavy metal power. A great night and a special memory for the Greek fans!
What we witnessed was diverse, emotional and loud. From Greek rock to epic metal, comedy-infused chaos, folk-tinged thrash and iconic heavy metal, it had something for everyone. W.A.S.P. might have had their struggles, but they stood tall and proud—closing the night with fire, drama and heavy metal spirit.
