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!

Το άρθρο RAVEN, BLACK SOUL HORDE – PIRAEUS CLUB ACADEMY, ATHENS, GREECE – 27/05/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Tasos Bouhoutsos

photos by Tasos Bouhoutsos

The doors opened a bit later than scheduled, but the room was already filling up steadily before Darklon hit the stage with a very clear sense of purpose and energy. They came in wanting to make an impression, both through their songs and their presence. With three full-length albums already under their belt in a relatively short span of time, there’s a clear sense of drive here, a band that’s pushing forward without standing still. On stage they felt tight and focused, an experienced instrumental trio locked in, with a vocalist who immediately stood out. There’s a confidence in the way they delivered the material, with enough variation and movement to keep the crowd engaged from early on. Given the limited set time, they made smart choices, playing almost with no gaps between songs, leaning mostly on their Mind Reaper material while still touching earlier work, all of it delivered with conviction. The only real note was the sound, a bit overloaded at times, almost too “dirty” in places. On one hand it suited the raw, aggressive edge of their US heavy/power-influenced style, but on the other it occasionally blurred some of the detail for first-time listeners. Even so, there’s a clear identity in formation here, and a band that already feels like it has room to grow into something even stronger if the lineup holds steady. The reactions from the crowd were solid and inarguably the tone was set for what was coming next.

Sanctuary weren’t on stage yet, but the room already had that low hum of anticipation running through it. The DJ’s selections filled the space, and there was this strange mix of doubt, darkness, and a kind of quiet, almost stubborn expectation in the air. This was the first time seeing them with their newer lineup, and everyone in the room knew exactly what was missing and at the same time, how unique this band has always been. Then, like a lightning taking these thoughts apart, the opening notes of “Die For My Sins” hit, and everything just snapped into place. Joseph Michael came in and immediately wiped away any hesitation with a vocal entrance that felt almost unreal in the room – sharp, high, and fully alive – triggering instant reactions across the crowd. Lenny Rutledge and Dave Budbill – the remaining members of the classic line up – looked completely locked in from the first second, ready to give everything and take it right back from a crowd that was clearly there for the same reason. And it wasn’t just about riffs or nostalgia, it was something deeper. Memory, loss, weight, release. The feeling of people meeting again after everything that’s happened in between along with the resilience and will for greater days ahead. “Battle Angels” followed, and at that point it was clear this wasn’t going to be anything less than a full immersion. The connection between band and crowd was immediate and unforced, and the whole room started shifting into something shared, almost communal. Lenny’s announcement that Into The Mirror Black would be played in it’s entiety only pushed things further, and Joseph carried it with a performance that felt both intense and strangely human at the same time, pulling the audience into the darker corners of the material but always letting a bit of light cut through. His dark, existential humor between songs added something very real to it all – not staged, just instinctive – and it worked perfectly within the atmosphere. “White Rabbit” gave a short breath, before they rolled into their excellent new single and the classic banger “Veil Of Disguise”. Even the small technical guitar issues that came up at one point didn’t really shake anything since the nessecary instrument chance, improved their already great sound. At that stage, it was clear that the night couldn’t slip off track even if it tried, with a couple of songs from their latest album to date, integrating perfectly with their classic stuff. The encore came with “Soldiers Of Steel”, closing things out with a sense of release rather than ending. The band looked fulfilled, the crowd looked drained in the best possible way – that quiet after the impact. Even after the set ended, people stayed, talking, taking photos, connecting with the band members, like the night didn’t really want to break apart yet.

Walking out, it was hard not to feel like something complete had just happened. Just two bands, but a full experience, nothing missing in terms of weight or impact. And what stood out just as much was the mix of ages in the room, which always says something about where the scene is standing, and where it might be going. If anything, it felt like one of those nights that sits somewhere in memory a bit longer than expected. Not just because it was nearly perfect, but because it felt real. All that’s left after this reviving experience is hoping this Sanctuary lineup keeps going, because clearly there’s still more in them to give. And if nothing else, nights like this prove that both sides – band and crowd – still need this kind of momentum. Until the next one.

Το άρθρο SANCTUARY, DARKLON – PIRAEUS CLUB ACADEMY, ATHENS, GREECE – 22/04/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

Friday evening, right after work, what a better way to start your weekend with a long anticipated live show! It has been ages since I saw Witchcraft last time and I believe it was about time, after all these things happened in between, the records, the changes. I had so much anticipation and curiosity, it had hit the top!

by Antonis Mantzavinos

(Text & Pictures)

Never been before at Mejeriet in Lund, at the south of Sweden, for a gig, and I must say that it’s a pretty good place for a rock show. Pardon, a local and band not far away from Lund (Malmö) opened up the night, and instantly gained the interest from the audience with their electrifying and captivating performance. A blend of post-punk, garage and dark atmospheric oriented sound, they played with high energy and dedication, and gave us a sweaty, fast paced – fast riffs and high energy rock n roll performance, having very good contact with the crowd and provided a really good warm up for almost 30 minutes. It is definitely a band I will keep on my radars and check their upcoming releases.

With a short intermission in between the 2 sets for the necessary changes in the scene, Witchcraft appeared and gave us a night to remember! Starting with “If Crimson was your color”, the power trio (Magnus Pelander on vocals and guitar, Ida Elin Tannerdal on bass and Johan “Jussi” Kalla on drums) kicked off in a fabulous way! This band may have been through various changes, challenges, obstacles, the years have long passed from the early 00s and their first release “No Angel or Demon”, but the real essence of what Witchcraft stands for was completely unfolded on the scene of Mejeriet. I mean, as the songs kept on being played (“Schyssta Lögner”, “No Angel or Demon”, “Wooden Cross”, etc.) I recalled the turning point of the band which was the signing to Rise Above Records. Lee Dorrian must have been very proud of this band and he must be given a lot of credits.

Anyway,
Back to the live gig, Magnus Pelander, the mastermind behind Witchcraft, really delivered an awesome performance from start to finish, and, even though, I must admit that, a second guitar maybe necessary, he played a fantastic show, with slow and heavy riffs, solos and everything. After all, he has always played great guitars. Vocal-wise, he handled so good the slow paced/doomy parts and the more folk based ones so gently and with an independent and fragile tone. “Queen of Bees”, a personal favorite track of mine was on the playlist and made me super happy when the doomy and slow riffs started, and that seemed to be a favorite for the crowd as well! I need to make as special mention to Ida Elin and Johan, who have joined Withcraft the latter years: both complement in the best way Magnus and form the ideal rhythmic foundation for the sound of the band. Both of them was a pleasure to watch, with their heavy, groovy and to-the-point performance. Big respect!

. .

“Her Sisters they were weak”. “Malstroem” (another personal favorite) and “Leva” guided us through the end, where Magnus had been captivating and with a vintage and nostalgic feeling all over the place, like a trip to the roots of his band, where songs were spanning from all different eras, representing this glorious past and with the eye towards the present and future where we can expect very nice things..

“Witchcraft” – Take One was the perfect closure of the night, a night where the band and Magnus himself re-introduced themselves to us, making a promise for new, great stuff, soon, but reminding us that we should never forget where they come from, what they have achieved and what they/he are/is capable of.

Det var grymt! Hoppas vi ses snart igen!

Witchcraft on Instagram

Witchcraft on Facebook

Pardon on Instagram

Το άρθρο Witchcraft, Pardon – Mejeriet, Lund Sweden, 27/02/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

When I arrived outside the venue, before the doors opened, quite a few metalheads were already waiting. Shortly after, we entered Piraeus Club Academy, I took my spot at the front, and I was fully ready for what was about to follow. According to the schedule, the night would open with Stygian Path, while Leatherhead would take the stage before the headliners. It was shaping up to be a night of true steel!
Stygian Path didn’t take long to hit the stage. The Athens-based metallers delivered their tight and pure epic doom metal, earning the admiration of the crowd. Piraeus Club Academy wasn’t completely full, but everyone who came clearly enjoyed Stygian Path a lot. And it’s easy to see why—they’re a band with strong songwriting skills, a clear understanding of their sound and a passion they bring both in the studio and live. I was particularly impressed by the lead guitar and the singer’s intensity. Stygian Path have everything needed to achieve something big in the coming years. They are serious, humble and capable of raising the bar even higher while bringing their epic doom to a wider audience. Although I had seen them live before, I wasn’t very familiar with their songs—but this time, I enjoyed them much more during their short set. Yes, “The Lorekeeper” is their debut album, and it’s definitely worth celebrating! Before moving on to the next band, it’s worth noting that Stygian Path also performed “Days of High Adventure” by DoomSword, paying full respect to the original.
Everything was ready for the power/speed/thrash metal assault of Leatherhead. I had really enjoyed their new album, “Violent Horror Stories”, so I thought I knew what to expect from their live show. Or so I thought! The metallers from Larisa literally stormed the stage and blew everything apart! With relentless energy and insane fury, they delivered their fast, sweeping metal, leaving the audience completely blown away. Leader of the band was Tolis Mekras, an incredible frontman, whose vocals are matched by an electrifying stage presence. Leatherhead were fantastic, with a style all their own—the guitars cut like blades, the rhythm section hit like an anvil. Beyond speed, technique and passion, the band created a terrifying atmosphere, relying purely on their music and lyrics. They dedicated their over-the-top performance to Christos Christodoulou, who passed away just a few days ago. I’m officially a fan of Leatherhead now—not only are their compositions flawless, but their live energy is absolutely unstoppable. A friendly tip from one metalhead to another: listen to “Violent Horror Stories” and see them live!
After the whirlwind of Leatherhead, the crowd was more than warmed up, ready for the night’s climax with Darklon. And as expected, Darklon were… absolutely crushing. To be precise, without exaggeration, with Billy Chrepas on vocals, Darklon are a completely different band—far stronger, carrying the air of a top-tier act that has clearly leveled up. How could it be otherwise, when Chrepas sings and moves on stage like a true frontman? When Darklon’s material is delivered perfectly, gaining the full power it deserves? When Chrepas literally storms the stage, running back and forth like a teenager? Yes, adding Chrepas was a huge move. The new energy was immediately evident in Darklon’s set, as Chrepas has lifted the entire band to new heights. The live show was absolutely thrilling! Darklon played superbly—they had a massive, punchy sound, relentless passion and the result was spectacular. Their setlist spanned their entire career, mixing older tracks with new material from their latest full-length, “Mind Reaper”. The crowd went wild for “Redeemer”, as well as new tracks like “In The Abyss”, “Soul Stealers” and “Psyched Out”. The band’s genuine US-style heavy/power metal left the audience stunned. K.D. Kras was a powerhouse on guitar, the rhythm section was powerful and consistent, and Chrepas’ soaring vocals blew everyone away—plus, his connection with the crowd was fantastic. It’s not just that Darklon hit the peak—they clearly proved they can go even further. They smashed every expectation and are confidently looking toward the future!
The encore from Darklon marked the triumphant finale of an unforgettable show—one that was important for the bands, the scene and the fans alike. We had an incredible time, headbanged, sang along and witnessed three outstanding metal bands tearing it up without holding back! That’s metal with teeth and balls—no compromises, no bullshit!

Το άρθρο DARKLON, LEATHERHEAD, STYGIAN PATH – PIRAEUS CLUB ACADEMY, ATHENS, GREECE – 23/01/2026 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

Gazarte opened its doors right on time; however, only a small number of people arrived early. You could tell that the show wouldn’t draw a large crowd, and indeed, not many attended the concert. Not even half of Gazarte was filled, but that didn’t discourage the bands from giving their very best.

D3lta opened the show for Starsailor. The Greek-British musician took the stage with his band and, with confidence but also humility, performed his beautiful material. There was strong musicality, great chemistry, and they captivated us with their pop/rock songs. It didn’t take long to realize that D3lta is a highly capable musician who writes quality compositions and delivers them on stage with real emotion. It’s clear that he values substance over flash and gimmicks, and he gave us a solid taste of his music. Direct, sincere, and generous, D3lta won us over and warmed us up perfectly for what was to come. But time flew by, and soon D3lta bid us farewell. He’s definitely an artist we’ll be keeping an eye on.

So, the stage cleared and everyone waited for Starsailor, the heroes of the night. It didn’t take long for them to make their appearance. Welcomed by warm applause, they took their places and, without any introductions, kicked off their set with their most well-known song, “Alcoholic.” What an incredible start—with a heartbreaking song that touched our hearts and made us sing along quietly.

What followed was just as strong, with beautiful, emotional songs, all the result of admirable songwriting inspiration and unique sensitivity. One song followed another, with the band performing flawlessly, pouring their souls into the music and delivering true lessons in artistic expression. The band’s frontman, James Walsh, spoke to the audience frequently, saying just enough, fully focused on his art and radiating deep emotion.

Starsailor were celebrating 25 years of career, so the setlist included their finest songs—although they also played a few tracks different from the previous show. Highlights of the night included “Four to the Floor,” as well as “Poor Misguided Fool,” “Silence Is Easy” and “Lullaby.” The beautiful covers of “Jealous Guy” (John Lennon) and “Don’t Let Me Down” (The Beatles) fit perfectly within a set that flowed effortlessly, maintained constant interest, and built repeated emotional peaks. Starsailor gave everything they had, captivated the audience with their artistic charm, and proved that they truly belong among the great bands of post–Brit pop/rock.

The end of the concert found us truly captivated. Starsailor are a band filled with deep emotion and an incredible sense of melody. Yet they keep a low profile – they don’t shout, they don’t try to overwhelm. They have things to say, they speak to each of us individually, and they create a musical and emotional bond with every listener. This live show was an unforgettable experience, one that each of us lived in our own way. Music prevailed, along with the connection between band and audience. And that is a great victory—one that only a few bands manage to achieve. Starsailor are one of them.

Το άρθρο STARSAILOR, D3LTA – GAZARTE, ATHENS, GREECE – 11/12/2025 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

photos by Iro Kalligeri (photography)

Day two (2)                                                                         

Likewise, on the second day—rested at home and with our “batteries” fully recharged—we were already inside the concert grounds of Technopolis in Athens just before five o’clock. One thing was immediately clear: a crowd had already gathered that early, a sign that by nightfall Technopolis would be packed to the brim!

Battleroar:  An historic band of the Greek epic/true metal scene, Battleroar were set to open the second day of the festival. And that’s exactly what happened! Right on schedule, Battleroar took the stage and immediately transported us into their epic world. They played for half an hour, but made their presence strongly felt—tight, well-rehearsed, focused, and determined, Battleroar delivered a stunning performance that left us satisfied and fired up for what was to come. Choosing to perform some of their finest compositions, the Greeks showed passion, strength, and vision, and we warmly applauded them when they bid us farewell. I must add that I really enjoyed the use of violin in their sound, as well as, of course, the excellent vocals of their singer!

The Crypt: And while the sun was still blazing, The Crypt took the stage. Painted and dressed in black, the Swedish band revealed themselves before us, performing their occult heavy rock songs. More specifically, The Crypt blend the classic rock of the ’70s with the archetypal heavy metal of the early ’80s, shaping a sound of their own—and when you add their horror- and occult-themed lyrics to that music, you immediately understand what The Crypt is all about! As for the live show, the Stockholm-based band delivered flawlessly and convincingly. With the help of a strong sound, they won many new fans that afternoon. They had a commanding personality behind the microphone (Pepper), an inventive guitarist (Dave McKenzie), and a keyboardist (Floke) who was a true keyboard wizard!

Masters of Ceremony/Heaven’s Gate: Immediately after came Masters of Ceremony, the current band of the unique musician and producer Sascha Paeth, who first became known as a founding member of Heaven’s Gate. Masters of Ceremony feature Adrienne Cowan on vocals and have a melodic/power metal style, presenting their own material that evening at dusk. However, first, Adrienne Cowan was barely audible due to a technical problem that lasted for two or three songs and was only partially resolved afterward, and second, the songs of Masters of Ceremony sounded a bit average to me, somewhat ordinary. Perhaps they need some time to grow on the listener! In any case, after five songs, the other members of the historic power metallers Heaven’s Gate—Bonny Bilski, Robert Hunecke-Rizzo, and Thorsten Müller (not Thomas Rettke)—joined Sascha Paeth on stage and played six classic Heaven’s Gate songs. It was a significant moment, a historic and moving reunion that transported us across space and time! On vocals for the Heaven’s Gate set was Herbie Langhans of Firewind, and Adrienne Cowan joined for the last two songs of the set. It was truly a unique experience for any power metal fan, whether familiar with Heaven’s Gate’s songs or not.

Gus G. and Friends:  Equally fantastic was the live performance of Gus G. and his friends, which followed right after! The Greek axeman showcased his full guitar talent at Technopolis, playing the instrument like only he can. During Gus’s set, a lot happened on stage. First, Gus and his band played two of his own songs (“Force Majeure” and “Fearless”). Immediately after, Roy Khan and Tore Østby of Conception joined for a beautiful rendition of “Roll The Fire” (Conception). Then Ronnie Romero appeared for the following songs: “Kill The King” (Rainbow), “My Premonition” (a Gus G. and Ronnie Romero collaboration), and “I Am the Fire” (Gus G.). At that point, the renowned (and no less amazing) former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson joined on stage, and they played “Vengeance” (Gus G.). The show concluded with three covers: two Black Sabbath songs (“Mob Rules” and “War Pigs”) and one Ozzy Osbourne classic (“Bark at the Moon”). Both Romero and Ellefson participated in these covers—especially the “War Pigs” rendition, which was insanely good, with the crowd going wild and singing along at full volume! Overall, the performance of Gus G. and his friends was magnificent! We had an amazing time, were deeply moved, and lived a little metal dream!

Candlemass featuring Messiah Marcolin: If Gus G.’s show was a little metal dream, with Candlemass—who for this concert reunited with Messiah Marcolin—we ascended straight into doom metal heaven! All the Greek doom metal fans were there, and there were plenty of people who had traveled from abroad just to see this reunion—right next to me were three fans from the U.S.! You can imagine what happened the moment Messiah Marcolin and the rest of Candlemass took the stage—chaos, pandemonium! Everyone was screaming, roaring, headbanging, and cheering Messiah and the entire band. With incredible sound and perfect cohesion, as if they had been playing together for years and Messiah had never left, Candlemass delivered flawlessly, like the emperors of the doom metal world they truly are! Of course, they played all the classic Candlemass songs, literally driving us insane with joy. Messiah sang with regal authority and overwhelming passion, making it clear that Candlemass with Messiah on vocals is a completely different, ten times better band. There’s no need to elaborate further on the significance and importance of this concert. Seeing Candlemass with Messiah Marcolin behind the mic says it all! And when they played “Solitude”, Technopolis literally caught fire! These were truly peak moments in metal music. I didn’t notice a single flaw or mistake—everything went perfectly. It was an hour and a half of magical music, doom metal grandeur. I’ll just note that when the Candlemass set ended, the crowd was still demanding more. But… how much more could there possibly be!?

In this thrilling way, Rock Hard Festival Greece came to a spectacular end and went down in history. Let’s hope we get to experience more such monumental metal events in the future, and that this festival becomes an annual tradition! Personally, I would like to thank Sakis Fragos, who excellently organized everything that made this experience so wonderful. Here’s to many more events like this!

Το άρθρο ROCK HARD FESTIVAL GREECE 2025 – DAY TWO (2) (CANDLEMASS, GUS G. AND FRIENDS, ETC.) εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

Day one (1)

We arrived at the festival grounds early, in order to secure a good spot up front, set up our gear, and get organized. Already, the first eager metalheads had camped out in front of the main stage, also waiting in anticipation for the official kickoff of the very first Rock Hard Festival Greece.

Ganzi Gun: The first band of the festival’s opening day was Ganzi Gun. The Greek modern heavy rockers are one of the finest bands in the local heavy rock scene, and since I really enjoyed their album “Time Is Now”, I was eagerly awaiting their set. It was also the first time I would see them perform with their current vocalist. They stormed onto the stage and kicked things off with passion, intensity, and power. For half an hour, we got to hear some of their best songs—I especially loved their guitars, and it became clear to me why Nikos Melas fits perfectly with the band’s sound. Even though they played under the scorching sun, Ganzi Gun gave us plenty of great moments, filling us with positive energy!

Cobra Spell: A new act surrounded by crazy hype, an almost all-female band that grabs everyone’s attention—Cobra Spell were the next group to hit the stage. Wasting no time, they stepped onto the boards and unleashed their dynamic riffs and fiery melodies. It was my first encounter with them, and I must say I was impressed by both the quality of their songwriting and their technical skills. Artistically, they may lean heavily into clichés, but they radiate a sweeping enthusiasm and youthful energy that makes Cobra Spell simply delightful! As it turned out, they have plenty of great things to offer, and if they polish the details, nothing will be able to stop them. Yes—the hype we mentioned earlier is absolutely justified!

InnerWish: And then it was time for InnerWish! I had been waiting for this live performance for quite some time, and when the band hit the stage, they gave it everything they had. With broad smiles on their faces, the Greek power metallers delivered a stunning display of melodic metal, choosing to play some of the finest songs of their career. Their performance was incredible—their passion and zeal spread instantly to the crowd, who kept headbanging nonstop to the divine riffs and infectious melodies. Special mention must be made of George Eikosipentakis’ captivating vocals; he completely commanded the stage with his beautiful voice. For 50 minutes, we indulged in the intoxicating and addictive power metal of InnerWish, who once again proved what a great and important band they are. As Greeks, we should all be proud to have such a band representing our scene!

Overkill: Next up were the legends of American metal, Overkill. It was the first time I had the chance to see Overkill live, but I already knew what to expect—an unrelenting assault, a fierce attack, a speed/thrash metal frenzy from a legendary band that holds its own glorious chapter in the Bible of heavy metal. When Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth stormed onto the stage, chaos erupted in the Technopolis arena, now almost packed to capacity, and the cannons of Overkill started firing! One classic thrash anthem followed another, the five musicians playing as if there were no tomorrow. D.D. Verni dominated the stage with his bass alongside Bobby, and for a full hour Overkill tortured us with their Motörhead-inspired brand of thrash metal. We were hungry for more, and the Americans bombarded us with their filthy, steel-forged anthems. Overkill crushed us, flattening everything in their path like a steamroller! But this dreamlike set eventually had to end, as the clock struck a quarter to ten.

HammerFall: Having released a very strong album (“Avenge The Fallen”), HammerFall arrived in Athens with the air of triumphant conquerors. Indeed, in recent years HammerFall have reached their most mature and wise period; they know exactly who they are and what they can do, and that confidence radiates from their live shows, which are nothing short of exemplary. And truly, HammerFall made a striking and imposing entrance at Technopolis, delivering those first true metal notes. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, fueling the Swedes, who were already on fire. Their performance was crushing, their sound flawless, and with immense passion and intensity, they completely commanded the fans, who sang along and headbanged furiously. With a setlist that was very strong (though I would have loved to hear more from their debut), HammerFall gave everything they had to please us. It was a true celebration of melodic heavy metal—we asked HammerFall for molten steel, and they gave it to us and then some! Today, HammerFall are without question a metal juggernaut, fully deserving of headliner status—each of their shows is an emphatic victory, a crescendo of epic, hymn-like heavy metal! After we got our mighty HammerFall dose and the band left the stage, we began our way home, filled with great feelings and unforgettable experiences.

Το άρθρο ROCK HARD FESTIVAL GREECE 2025 – DAY ONE (1) (HAMMERFALL, OVERKILL, ETC.) εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

Before Godiva took the stage, two Greek bands were scheduled to perform — Sinistrous Mist and Eons Aura, both of which I had never seen live before. I wasn’t familiar with Sinistrous Mist at all, but I did know about Eons Aura, mainly as the new project of former Nightfall guitarist Michalis Galiatsos.

Either way, I was really looking forward to seeing both support acts, and they definitely made sure to warm things up and get us ready for the main event.

Shortly before Sinistrous Mist began, only a small number of people had arrived at Temple. The Greek black metallers stepped onto the stage and immediately plunged into their icy, atmospheric black metal sound. And I liked them quite a lot — their songs were intriguing and well-crafted, they played with passion and emotion, and it was obvious they’ve put in serious work at every level, down to the smallest detail.

The grandeur of their music was further amplified by the contribution of their keyboardist, and I appreciated how committed they were to their art. They may not have reinvented the wheel, but their majestic take on black metal will certainly appeal to fans of the genre. I’m confident that before long we’ll be hearing something truly exceptional from Sinistrous Mist.

It was time for Eons Aura to take over. The four musicians assumed their positions on stage — by then the crowd had grown a little larger — and the show began. What I saw and heard was decent, but nothing more than that. Their sound was average, and their playing came across as muddy, rough around the edges, rather messy and overly noisy.

Even though Michalis Galiatsos was the main point of focus and drew plenty of attention, and even though some familiar Nightfall songs were performed, the set didn’t satisfy me as much as I had hoped. For part of the performance, the band’s frontman was holding an inverted cross — something that personally threw me off, as it felt out of place to me, considering that such gestures are often perceived by many here as disrespectful toward the country’s officially recognized religion under the Constitution.

That said, the audience seemed to really enjoy Eons Aura and had a great time with their thrash/death/black metal attack. The band clearly fed off that energy, ultimately leaving the stage smiling.

After the two Greek bands, Godiva stepped onto the stage at Temple, greeted by cheers and warm applause from the crowd. Let’s be honest — Godiva may not have a particularly large fanbase in Greece, but quite a few were there eager to witness the Portuguese band live for the first time. And they were rewarded for it, because Godiva delivered an outstanding performance that left everyone impressed.

With a strong, clear sound, they came across as fierce, fluid and incredibly tight as a unit. They played with great spirit, massive passion, flawless technical precision and an intensely energetic stage presence. This powerful blend of skill, emotion and showmanship thrilled the audience, who were completely captivated from start to finish.

Performing songs from every era of their career, the quartet tore through everything with unstoppable momentum — each member brought their own personal style and character to the stage, mesmerizing the audience like actors in a theatrical production. We were drawn into Godiva’s universe, lived their experience and ultimately bowed to the refined, sophisticated force of their blackened death metal sound.

It’s certain that Godiva gained many new fans that night — myself included! I also loved the fact that all four musicians radiated such positive energy, regardless of their role in the band. You could tell they were genuinely happy — not least because it was their very first show in Greece, a moment they clearly embraced with pure excitement and joy.

After Godiva’s show, we left Temple in high spirits. It was a major metal moment — one that will stay etched in our memories for a long time. Now I’m off to dive into Godiva’s discography, starting with their latest album, “Hubris” (2023)!

Το άρθρο GODIVA, EONS AURA, SINISTROUS MIST – TEMPLE, ATHENS, GREECE – 22/11/2025 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

First on the billing were Modulus Zero. I’m quite fond of their alternative/post/prog rock style, so I really enjoyed their thirty-minute set, which included several of their own songs as well as their successful cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”. This band has talent and vision — they have a clear musical identity and express it eloquently. Of course, they still need to keep working hard in order to stand out even more. That said, the night at Piraeus Club Academy wasn’t perfect from a sound-production standpoint, as the guitar and the vocal reverb were practically nonexistent! Even so, Modulus Zero managed to charm the small crowd and passed the baton to the next band feeling satisfied and proud.

The Ruckus Habit kept the night going with their fiery indie/alt heavy rock, and honestly, their music set Piraeus Club Academy on fire. They played like madmen — passionate, intense, and full of confidence — and the crowd loved every minute of it. Honest and authentic, The Ruckus Habit know exactly what their sound is, they write with inspiration, and they perform their engaging music with maturity and control. With great sound and a “ready for anything” attitude, the four musicians thrilled and entertained everyone in attendance. I believe The Ruckus Habit are a band that has everything it takes to succeed on every level. It’s in their hands to become alt rock stars!

And then it was time for Narkissus Fall. They’re a relatively new band in the symphonic metal scene and so far have released only a few singles. This show was their very first live performance, so it was natural for them to feel a bit nervous — but none of that showed onstage. In fact, once Narkissus Fall stepped onto the platform, they unleashed their powerful symphonic metal, sending waves of excitement through the audience. The five-piece had many of their own fans present, cheering at every opportunity! It became obvious that Narkissus Fall’s music is quite demanding, yet when faced with the challenge of bringing it to life on stage, they not only rose to the occasion — they crushed it. I was especially impressed by Dimitra Lefay, who mesmerized everyone with her operatic vocals, the drummer who absolutely tore it up, and the keyboardist who commanded his instrument like another Tuomas Holopainen.

The night wrapped up in style with Bring Back Persephone taking the stage. They’re a well-known name in the Greek scene, with more than fifteen years under their belt. Their sound leans strongly into post-hardcore and metalcore, and their songs are full of energy. That was obvious from the very start of their set — simple, stripped-down and absolutely explosive. With monstrous grooves and killer riffs, Bring Back Persephone pushed us to scream our lungs out, go wild and applaud like crazy. The crowd wasn’t huge at that point, but those who stayed for their show definitely got more than their money’s worth. Their cover of Placebo’s “Every You Every Me” was great, the singer had a sharp sense of humor and connected easily with the fans, the drummer played like an octopus, and the guitars did all the dirty work. I’ll be honest: I had never seen the band live before, but what I witnessed that night turned me into a fan. And I’m sure the same happened to plenty of others in the audience. Finally, an extreme metal band with a low profile and real dedication to music!

Once the fourth band finished their set, the curtain came down at Piraeus Club Academy and we started heading back, tired but genuinely happy to have watched four truly remarkable bands live. Support the bands, who deserve it!

Το άρθρο BRING BACK PERSEPHONE, NARKISSUS FALL, THE RUCKUS HABIT, MODULUS ZERO – PIRAEUS CLUB ACADEMY, ATHENS, GREECE – 14/11/2025 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

Myth of Rock hit the road early to make it on time to Floyd Live Music Venue, where chaos was expected—and rightfully so. We were there as soon as the doors opened, securing a good spot right in front of the stage. It was only a matter of time before the venue filled up, which was no surprise since the Finnish band has always been loved by the Greek audience. By around 8:45, Floyd was packed, and everyone was buzzing with anticipation for The Rasmus to take the stage. There was no support act, but honestly, The Rasmus and their Greek fans didn’t need one to warm up. The moment the four-piece stepped onto the stage, the place simply exploded! Led by the band’s founder and frontman, Lauri Ylönen, The Rasmus kicked off their show with tremendous energy, instantly electrifying the crowd. They were full of enthusiasm and good vibes, and with the confidence and class of a truly great band, they passed their positive energy straight to their devoted fans. With an excellent performance, great sound, and the stage presence of genuine rock stars, The Rasmus played their biggest hits with passion and conviction. They didn’t just win the crowd over—they reminded everyone that they still belong among the elite of the global rock scene, even after all these years. They didn’t have to prove anything, but as always, there are expectations, and the best bands know how to answer them—through their music and live shows. That’s exactly what The Rasmus did, giving us an unforgettable night of pure joy and energy for about an hour and a half. What impressed me most was how the audience knew the lyrics to every single song, singing along with the band from start to finish. Naturally, “In the Shadows” and “Living in a World Without You” were the absolute highlights of a setlist that spanned the group’s entire career—an exciting concert that never lost momentum for a second. The interaction between the musicians and the crowd was also remarkable. It was truly a fantastic live show, filled with melody, emotion, and adrenaline, with The Rasmus as the undeniable stars of the night!

By 10:50 p.m., as the band left the stage, we were all left thrilled, our voices hoarse and genuinely happy to have witnessed yet another flawless live show from The Rasmus. “More nights like this, please!” we thought to ourselves, as we made our way home, hearts full and smiles wide.

Το άρθρο THE RASMUS – FLOYD LIVE MUSIC VENUE, ATHENS, GREECE – 25/10/2025 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.