The legendary guitarist of Scorpions in the 1970s, Uli Jon Roth—the wizard of the guitar and a pioneer of neoclassical hard rock—visited our country once again, and as fans of the German musician, we headed to Gagarin 205 to witness his artistry firsthand. What exactly happened on the night of June 5, 2026? Keep reading to discover all the details!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
To be honest, I had been wondering just how different this concert could be and what new experiences this latest encounter with Roth might have in store for us. Yet the mere fact that he would perform the entirety of “Virgin Killer” (1976), the classic Scorpions album, was more than enough reason for us to make our way to the venue on Liosion Street. As it turned out, however, this concert had far more to offer.
The support slot was given to Achelous. I must admit that I initially had my reservations about this choice, as I felt that the Greek metallers did not quite match Roth’s style; perhaps a classic hard rock band would have been a more fitting companion. Achelous took the stage right on time, with Gagarin 205 only half full at that moment. The Greek band came out firing on all cylinders, delivering their brand of epic/power metal packed with powerful riffs, intoxicating melodies, catchy refrains, and intricate guitar work. Their excellent songs kept us company for approximately 45–50 minutes in a set overflowing with passion and energy. Achelous managed to convince even the most skeptical listeners that they are a truly talented band—one that works hard and has already composed genuine epic metal anthems. I am eagerly awaiting their next studio release. In the end, Achelous proved to be a perfect fit before Roth!
By then, we had been thoroughly warmed up and were more than ready for the wonders that were about to unfold. The German guitar master made his appearance to loud cheers and the audience’s thunderous applause!
The show unfolded in two distinct acts.
In the first part of the show, Roth performed alone on stage, accompanied by pre-recorded backing tracks. After a short intermission, the second part followed, with Roth joined by his touring band to perform songs from the early days of Scorpions.
At first, wielding his famed Transcendental Sky Guitar, Roth performed interpretations of Mozart, played material from his solo career, while videos—and even some of his own paintings—were projected onto the screen behind the stage. Roth demonstrated just how great an artist he truly is and how remarkable his body of work remains. His playing, blending rock with classical music, captivated us completely, carrying us away to the sun and the stars. Without exaggeration, we found ourselves transported elsewhere—to beautiful and distant realms. It was a crescendo of guitar artistry and human expression. Rarely have we felt something so unique at a concert. That first part alone was worth everything.
The second part was equally spectacular, with Roth now joined by his live band to perform the entirety of “Virgin Killer”, sending us straight to seventh heaven. As classics such as “Pictured Life”, “Catch Your Train”, and “Backstage Queen” filled the air, Gagarin 205 erupted and Roth was rightfully hailed by the crowd. Naturally, the emotional impact of “Polar Nights” and “Yellow Raven” was immense. The recital came to a close with several other classic Scorpions songs from the 1970s, including “Sun in My Hand”, “We’ll Burn the Sky”, “In Trance”, and “Sails of Charon”. I would also like to point out that the band’s bassist and vocalist, Niklas Turmann, was suffering from a cold, so in several parts of the show he was assisted by Célia Ramos. The result was quite beautiful vocally, with their voices complementing each other wonderfully.
Uli Jon Roth brought Heaven to Earth, and we were privileged to witness a truly monumental concert! I was already a fan of Roth before this show, but now I understand so much more about both the man and his music. This was more than a live performance—it was a masterclass in musical art and history. Uli is one of the true Gods of Music, regardless of genres, styles, or labels. Period.
