On the 29th of November, all musical roads led to HolyWood Stage, which welcomed two distinguished Greek rock and metal acts, Ta Hartina Ftera and Sleek. Myth of Rock had marked this live show on its agenda, and by 10 o’clock, we had already taken our seats at the venue. There was no chance that we would miss the return of Ta Hartina Ftera and Sleek to the stage!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
The evening started in the best way – Ta Hartina Ftera hit the stage, and the celebration began! This Greek band merges many different musical elements. They have a rock foundation on which they build their own style, influenced by pop, electronica/dance, Greek folk rock, etc., using both Greek and English lyrics. Exactly this mixture was what we enjoyed that night! Ta Hartina Ftera were in very good spirits and great shape, performing their songs passionately and passing their warmth to the audience. It was my first encounter with this band, and they managed to capture my interest. They were precise and cohesive, their sound was clear and loud, and the setlist was full of their beautiful songs. The only thing I didn’t like was their use of some melodies/rhythms from other famous songs. However, that doesn’t diminish the artistic value of their musical endeavors! As a result, Ta Hartina Ftera made us have fun and enjoy our drinks while listening to the band’s extraordinary sound. This band has the quality and song material to stand out from the rest, and with live shows like this one, I am sure they will succeed—especially if they decide to focus on their own song ideas. But time passed, Ta Hartina Ftera left the stage, and it was the turn of …
… Sleek! Having recently released their debut album, “Still Hurts”, and playing in a melodic hard rock/heavy metal style, Sleek appeared on stage and began performing with precision, conviction, and a positive vibe! It was obvious that the band was well-rehearsed and ready to take us on a beautiful melodic hard n’ heavy ride. With the exceptional Nikos Efetzis on guitar, Sleek presented some of their best songs, making us smile and sing along! From the first songs of the show, it was easy to understand that Sleek is a band composed of charismatic musicians, and at the same time, it’s a band with great chemistry between its members. This talented team puts all their explosiveness, heart, and mind into their songs, something easily comprehensible to the listeners. It was truly a fantastic live show from Sleek, centered on the fine vocal phrasing of singer Joseph Anagnostou, the amazing guitar licks, the melodic hooks, and the dynamics of the tight rhythm section. That night, Sleek proved that they are one of the best bands in the contemporary Greek hard rock/metal scene—one of the biggest hopes of the genre—a newcomer that is here to stay and capable of many wonderful things! I thought to myself that Sleek has a bright future ahead, and concerts like this one will help them form their character as a band and achieve their goals. The sextet ended their stunning show to the applause of the audience, in a cheerful atmosphere.
After the immersive experience of this concert, we made our way back home, very pleased and with “Still Hurts” in our hands! Indeed, Ta Hartina Ftera and Sleek deserve our attention. We should give these bands opportunities to showcase their quality and fulfill their vision! I am sure that both bands will seize these opportunities!
