by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

According to the schedule, the doors were supposed to open at 8:30 p.m., but since the soundcheck had not been completed, they finally opened (at last) at around 9:00 p.m. The crowd that had gathered outside AN Club entered the venue, took their places, and shortly afterwards the first band of the night, V/K Project, took the stage. This is the live incarnation of the Billy Vass and Bob Katsionis project, Vass/Katsionis, under the name V/K Project. In this live setup, only Vass participates, as Katsionis was unable to take part due to time constraints. I really liked the two Vass/Katsionis albums, as they featured authentic, inspired, and emotionally charged prog metal, in the vein of Fates Warning, Queensrÿche, and Dream Theater. Moreover, I had heard the best things about the musicians Vass had chosen to bring the Vass/Katsionis material to the stage. With great anticipation, I watched the five musicians appear on stage, and without wasting time they kicked off their set. V/K Project performed songs from both albums, with good sound for the instruments, though unfortunately not for the vocals, which didn’t come through as loudly. The Greek progsters played with impressive technique and real soul, led of course by Vass, who showed great confidence and true star quality. At one point during the V/K Project set, Katsionis himself came on stage to loud applause, saying a few words about the project. It was a beautiful live performance (with the exception of the vocal sound) that will stay in our memories for a long time. It’s also worth noting that Katsionis’ absence was made less noticeable thanks to the strong performance of the musicians involved, and that the quintet even played the cover version Vass/Katsionis had done of Giorgos Dalaras’ “Xenos”.

The second band of the night were Braveride, whom we had seen live a few months earlier at the Golden R. Festival in Volos. That had been a good show and the first live appearance of Braveride with Mike Livas on vocals, who in the meantime has become a full member of the band. This second time around, Braveride were even better. At the beginning there was a small sound issue (the bass was too loud), but it was quickly fixed. Braveride played with great confidence, with Livas clearly bonding with the band and standing much more decisively on stage alongside the rest of the members. Hitting the gas pedal from the very first note, Braveride completely tore it up. Their epic power metal was delivered almost perfectly, and their cover of Manowar’s “Call to Arms” was absolutely killer. It’s clear that Livas’ arrival has taken Braveride to the next level. If they manage to capture in the studio album the same drive and passion they show in their live performances, there’s no doubt they will release a truly great record. The crowd had a fantastic time and showered Braveride with praise, something the band clearly felt, filling them with joy and pride. If they continue the good work, they will achieve great things in the future!

As soon as Braveride finished their set, the headliners of the night, Valiant Sentinel, took their places on stage. I really liked their new album, even more than their debut, as it features fantastic compositions. So, I was very curious to see Valiant Sentinel once again, especially after their excellent live show at Piraeus Club Academy last year. Dimitris Skodras (guitarist and main man of the band) led the sonic assault of Valiant Sentinel, who initially performed several songs from “Neverealm” and then moved on to a number of tracks from their debut album. The new songs sounded absolutely amazing in a live setting, with the band delivering them with flawless technique and an abundance of feeling. “War in Heaven”, “The Underdark” and “Myrkwood Forest” stood out as the highlights, while other tracks that really fired up the crowd were “King in the North” and “Victorious”. Veandok sang with power, showcasing his impressive vocal abilities, while the rest of the musicians played incredibly tight, like a perfectly tuned power metal machine. They enjoyed excellent sound, helped by the fact that they had their own sound engineer: all the instruments and vocals were clear and well-balanced, allowing the band to feel comfortable and perform flawlessly right up to the final note. Valiant Sentinel transported us into their magical, epic-lyrical world — a truly unique experience that will remain unforgettable. Once again, a knight appeared on stage, just like last time, swearing in the band members and even some fans! To wrap things up, it’s worth mentioning that the Greek power metallers also covered the theme song from the animated series Power Rangers!

The night came to an end in the most ideal way, and after giving Valiant Sentinel a thunderous round of applause, we headed back home. It was a cold night, filled with metal flowing freely — pure, clean, and blazing hot! A truly important evening for the Greek prog and power metal scene and its fans. We can only hope that such cultural, metal events happen more often!

Το άρθρο VALIANT SENTINEL, BRAVERIDE, V/K PROJECT – AN CLUB, ATHENS, GREECE – 18/01/2026 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)

The show took place at the Ground Stage of Gazarte, which on the night of November 7 opened its doors to the metal crowd arriving for the event. Samael were set to perform one of their classic albums in its entirety, “Ceremony of Opposites,” a good enough reason for many fans to gather at the venue — though it didn’t end up completely full. Still, the anticipation in the room electrified the atmosphere, and it was clear to everyone that the moment for action had arrived!

Samael weren’t the only ones on stage — before them, the Athenian doom/death metallers DreamLongDead appeared and delivered their set. The truth is that although I knew of their existence, I had never listened to them before. So, the roughly 45 minutes they played were a real revelation for me. From the very first notes, DreamLongDead unleashed their primitive, monolithic doom/death metal and left us speechless. Focusing on their long, labyrinthine tracks, the Greeks poured their souls into the performance and executed it flawlessly. With a very solid and tight sound, the band showcased their inspiration and influences, ultimately offering something truly their own. The vocals were intense and full of character, the riffs were monstrous, and the rhythm section was a crushing anvil. It was one of those live shows that leave you fulfilled — bringing a sense of catharsis through “pain.” I can’t wait to see them again; I’m off to listen to their songs.

With all these thoughts in mind, we said goodbye to the Greeks and eagerly awaited the Swiss pioneers, who didn’t take long to step onto the Gazarte stage. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as they welcomed the four musicians who instantly filled the space. At the center, as expected, were the two brothers and leaders of the band, Vorph and Xy — Vorph up front, imposing with his voice and commanding presence, and Xy in the back, enriching the black metal core of the songs with his prog, industrial, electro and gothic touches from behind the keyboards. It was obvious that Vorph is a major personality in the black metal scene, while Xy is a true mastermind, using drumbeats and, in some moments, even real drums. As planned, Samael performed the entire Ceremony of Opposites, shaking Gazarte to its foundations and driving the audience into a frenzy. And even after playing the whole album, they continued with a blend of older tracks, newer material and an unreleased song (“Black Matter Manifesto”), showcasing the breadth of their work and satisfying everyone — long-time fans and newcomers alike. Sure, they could have added two or three more songs from their extensive catalog, but Samael had already moved and electrified the crowd. They had triumphed, and their final exit felt heroic, bringing to a close a performance that was artistically flawless.

After the show ended, I was particularly happy, having finally seen live a band that accomplished so much and released so many great works in the ’90s and ’00s, even if they never became a number-one act. And it was clear to all of us that Samael are still here, with plenty more to give to the extreme metal genre!

Το άρθρο SAMAEL, DREAMLONGDEAD – GAZARTE, ATHENS, GREECE – 07/11/2025 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

Seeing Pagan on stage gave me some thoughts I’d really like to share.

First of all, the show was sold out, and even before the concert began, Kyttaro was already packed to the brim. Clearly, the audience has embraced Pagan wholeheartedly, regardless of musical background or stylistic preferences. In the crowd you could see rock fans, metalheads, lovers of Greek music, ethnic/folk listeners, and plenty of people who simply enjoy music without fitting into any particular category. Pagan have managed to bring together music lovers of many different worlds — people who come to their shows to have a good time, to feel inspired, and to get carried away, even intoxicated, by the sound itself.

Secondly, what Pagan are doing is very close in spirit to Heilung. Their live shows are mystical — a Dionysian, traditional musical celebration where Greek folk roots meet the electric sound. They use traditional instruments and create a folk-meets-rock feast: a vibrant blend of music, dance and theatrical performance. Pagan present not just a concert, but a ritual — a living ceremony in which tradition comes alive before our eyes. Music, movement and light intertwine, captivating the senses. We find ourselves participating in a musical-theatrical rite — uplifting, lyrical, melodic and deeply transportive.

Thirdly, Pagan’s songs include their own compositions, but also reinterpretations of well-known traditional Greek folk songs, brought back to life through smart, fresh arrangements. These songs are infused with rock and heavy rock elements, expanded through improvisations and jams, becoming the musical vehicle that carries us across different corners of Greece. Folk melodies and electric instrumentation merge into one, allowing us to reconnect with our musical heritage, with nature, and with the Greek soul itself. Here, there is no room for political or religious divides — Pagan sing, dance, and take us along with them to places both radiant and dreamlike.

All these thoughts were circling in my mind while I was part of the celebration, and even later, after we left Kyttaro. It wasn’t just a concert from an ordinary band — it was an immersive experience, something that awakened old memories and reconnected us with our past. A different kind of performance, one we will remember for a long time, from a band that suggests the future lies in returning to nature, to the earth, to our culture and origins. For almost three hours, through a multitude of instruments — both electric and traditional — we heard the Greek soul alive before us.

Το άρθρο PAGAN – KYTTARO, ATHENS, GREECE – 02/11/2025 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.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

It was just getting dark and already a crowd had gathered outside Temple, waiting for the doors to open. Once they did, we went in and took our usual spot right in front of the stage. It wasn’t long before Desolation Row appeared, playing in front of a few dozen people. This Greek band moves in an alternative rock/metal style and delivered their songs with good energy and genuine feeling. They had plenty of enthusiasm, a youthful spontaneity, and overall did quite well, though not perfectly, as a few small mistakes couldn’t be avoided. What stands out for us is that Desolation Row showed excitement, showed that they love what they’re doing, and that they are eager to work hard on their already interesting ideas.

After watching Desolation Row, we welcomed Substance to the stage at Temple. This was the second time I’ve seen this band live, and my thoughts remain the same: Substance have a lot of talent, a distinct style and finesse, and songs that could easily stand alongside the material of commercially successful bands. Dressed in red and black, led by a highly capable frontman, and backed by a sound that was powerful, full, and razor-sharp, the band impressed the audience, who applauded their artistic vision. Their songs carry both intensity and melody, their chemistry is strong, and their vision is clear and ambitious. It’s obvious that Substance “have it”; they just should keep holding on to their vision!

Substance left the stage and it was time for Still Dusk — they didn’t keep us waiting for long. I had seen the band live before, and once again I was captivated by their music. “Chronicles of Dystopia” actually resonated with me even more in its live form — it was the perfect chance for Still Dusk to show how much they have progressed as a band, how they have refined their musical identity, and how, on stage, they transform into strong alternative metal personas. Technically, they were flawless. They delivered their wonderful material with emotion and confidence, pulling us into their distinct, melodic world. The positive impression was strengthened even further by the excellent sound that Temple had that night. Still Dusk have already released a very good album, and with live performances like this one, it’s certain that more — and even greater — achievements are coming for them!

With Still Dusk giving it their all, the curtain finally fell and we headed back home. All three bands delivered more than satisfying performances, but Still Dusk in particular showed that they possess impressive qualities. Overall, it was a very enjoyable live alt-metal event!

Το άρθρο STILL DUSK, SUBSTANCE, DESOLATION ROW – TEMPLE, ATHENS, GREECE – 01/11/2025 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

When we arrived, the venue was already packed with metal fans, all buzzing with anticipation for Blood Incantation’s sonic experiments. Whether it was the band’s choice or not, the music playing through the speakers before their set was pure progressive rock — we even heard Eloy! It was the perfect prelude to Blood Incantation’s appearance, and when they finally walked on stage, right on schedule, they were greeted with loud and warm applause from the Greek audience.

Before that, we had the chance to see the special guests of the night, Esoteric. The British funeral doom metallers played their somber songs for about forty minutes and left a good impression. They had passion, chemistry, and delivered flawlessly. The crowd seemed to enjoy their set, though it was clear most people were waiting for Blood Incantation.

When the time came, the prog death pioneers launched into their strange and fascinating brand of death metal, choosing to play their latest album in its entirety first. This way, they presented their intriguing musical identity — it really felt like watching Morbid Angel jamming with Pink Floyd at times! Blood Incantation were stunning, both in their brutal death metal passages and in their progressive rock segments. Personally, I was thrilled by the prog moments — seamlessly tied to the band’s core death metal sound, performed with soul and purpose. They proved they have vision and a strong sense of direction.

Throughout “Absolute Elsewhere”, psychedelic visuals were projected on the video wall, completing the space rock experience. After the full album performance, the Americans played a few older tracks — and those were mind-blowing as well!

Now, on to the negatives. First, there was little to no interaction between the band and the crowd. The five musicians simply played their set; the frontman threw in a few supposedly funny remarks, and that was it. Second, their performance lasted only about an hour and fifteen minutes. Don’t get me wrong — their sound was great, their playing tight — but it felt like they were there out of obligation rather than genuine enjoyment.

All in all, we had a good time and witnessed an impressive band at a strong point in their career, one that clearly has much more to offer. Blood Incantation showed they are prog death metal masters who play with passion and skill, yet they still need to work on connecting with the audience and maybe add a couple more songs to their setlist. We left FLOYD happy — but not blown away. It was a good prog live show, though not one that will stay in our memory for long.

Το άρθρο BLOOD INCANTATION, ESOTERIC – FLOYD LIVE MUSIC VENUE, ATHENS, GREECE – 16/10/2025 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)

Indeed, we set off for Gazi early and arrived at the concert venue right when the doors opened. That way, we secured a good spot in front, to the side of the stage. Many others did the same, so by around 8 o’clock Technopolis was already quite full. Everything was ideal for the start…
… and the night began with Khirki! The Greek power trio took their place on stage under the audience’s warm applause and kicked off their set. Khirki are a highly noteworthy group in the local heavy rock scene, and their musical approach is truly intriguing. They don’t just play heavy rock — they infuse it with plenty of melodic metal elements, even more Greek folk elements, ending up with a prog character as well! Indeed, all of this was evident from the very first moments of their set.
With great energy and a positive mood, Khirki presented us with some excellent highlights of their work — they were unstoppable, had a great sound and more than warmed up the crowd. Even though I wasn’t very familiar with the two albums they have released so far, I had a fantastic time with Khirki and realized that this is a band with so much to offer. It was the perfect setup to get us in the mood, just a few minutes before Planet of Zeus stormed the stage!
And they didn’t take long to do it! Indeed, the celebrators stormed the stage with force and immediately dove into their stuff! The most beautiful, the most beloved anthems of these four musicians and their thousands of spellbound fans! Of course, it made perfect sense that we got to witness a best-of set, traveling back in time. This wasn’t just another live show — it was the ultimate Planet of Zeus event, a true dream come true for every fan of the band. Lasting for over two and a half hours, it left us fully satisfied. The atmosphere was not only full of passion and frenzy, but also charged with deep emotion from the very first to the very last second! On the technical side, Planet of Zeus delivered a masterclass in heavy rock madness, with incredible tightness, an astonishingly good sound worthy of the occasion, and even flames surrounding them on stage! That’s how we experienced the glorious closure of these 25 years — with everyone present: the protagonists themselves, playing with tears of joy; the fans, singing along nonstop; and the special guests (Argy from Nightstalker, Dani G. from 1000mods and Nate Bergman), who honored Planet of Zeus in the best way possible. The celebration flowed beautifully, and by the end, we were all sweaty and hoarse. Even now, the chant “Σεξ και Βία, στον Πλανήτη Δία! (Sex and Violence, on the planet Zeus!)” still echoes in my ears! Absolute top …
All that I’ve just described now come back to me as vivid, joyful memories. Everyone who was at Technopolis that night knows exactly what I’m talking about! It was a wild feast of heavy rock bravado! A delirium of heavy blues! Thank you, Planet of Zeus — here’s to the next 25 years!

Το άρθρο PLANET OF ZEUS, KHIRKI – TECHNOPOLIS, ATHENS, GREECE – 06/09/2025 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.