Arch Enemy, InsIDead @ Gagarin 205, Athens, Greece, 20/01/2012

There are a few bands in metal that can guarantee you that you will have a great time at their concerts, if you like their music that is. Whether their albums are masterpieces or something less it is irrelevant. I believe that Arch Enemy is one of these bands. Whenever they announce a live, it 's a sure thing that they will be great performance-wise and that the fans will have fun. Their last release, “Khaos Legions”, may have received mixed reviews, but the fact that the band will take a long break after their tour is finished, made many metalheads run to Gagarin last Friday.

SepticFlesh, Dark Funeral, Heavier Than God @ Fuzz Club, Athens, Greece, 07/01/2012

I have to say that 2012 entered the best possible way. On Friday, we enjoyed a really good performance by Entombed. And on Saturday, it was time for the highly anticipated live of Septicflesh. This band is one of the very few Greek metal bands that has managed to make itself known outside the borders of Greece. Not to mention that in 2011 they presented us with a magnificent album that received great reviews. These two things, plus the fact that they would be playing in their hometown, made me think that this concert would be, without a doubt, sold out. Unfortunately that wasn't the case, but the number of people gathered was pretty high nonetheless.

Amorphis, Leprous, Nahemah @ Gagarin 205, Athens, Greece, 13/11/2011

Amorphis are considered to be one of these bands that the Greeks adore, along with Blind Guardian, Nevermore, Opeth, Anathema and some more. The Finnish visited us again, two years after one very successful performance in 2009. The bunch of us who found ourselves at Gagarin that Sunday had high expectations, as Amorphis are known for their great shows. But the night didn't start well.

Review: Amorphis - The Beginning Of Times

From their very beginning, Amorphis were quite diverse. In their 21 years of existence they have gone from death metal, to progressive, folk, even more psychedelic rock. Now they have returned with their tenth full-length album, “The Beginning Of Times”. The title, though, doesn't do justice to the album, as Amorphis aren't going back to their death metal roots.

Candlemass, Trouble, Ghost, Hell, Lord Vicar @ Fuzz Club, Athens, Greece, 08/10/2011

The weather forecast said it. Black clouds and heavy rain were expected on Saturday. The rain might not have come, but the clouds gathered to match the Doom day. At first Candlemass were announced as headliners, followed by Trouble, Hell and Lord Vicar. Then Ghost joined the billing. And to top it all, Johan Langqvist would appear to perform “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus” in its entirety. Needless to say that all the doom fans out there had put their flags out!

Cathedral, Violet Vortex, Infidel @ Gagarin 205, Athens, Greece, 01/10/2011

From February 2011, we knew that Cathedral would say their last goodbye to their fans with the Farewell Tour, after serving loyally the metal scene for almost 20 years. When you hear that such a great band is retiring from the music business, and that you are given a chance to see them live for the last time, there should be no second thoughts. And for me, as well as for many others, there were no second thoughts.

Review: Riverside - Memories In My Head

In 2001, four guys from Poland came together and formed a band. They were no other than Riverside. Now, in 2011, for their 10^th anniversary, they recorded three brand new songs for an EP that can only be bought at their concerts. “Memories In My Head” is the fifth endeavor of the band, and although it includes only three songs, it gives the impression of a full-length album, as it lasts 33 minutes give or take.

Review: Poisonblack - Drive

Κακά τα ψέματα, όταν ακούμε ότι ένας δίσκος κυκλοφορεί μέσα σε τόσο σύντομο χρονικό διάστημα από τον προηγούμενο, η πρώτη και πιθανότερη σκέψη που μας έρχεται στο μυαλό είναι μήπως το συγκρότημα βιάστηκε λίγο. Ίσως πάλι, στην προκειμένη περίπτωση, να προσπαθεί ο Ville Laihiala με αυτό τον τρόπο να βγάλει τους Poisonblack από την σκιά του προηγούμενου συγκροτήματός του, τους Sentenced. Δεν ξέρω όμως κατά πόσο αυτό μπορεί να γίνει, μιας και οι Poisonblack μάλλον είναι μία light εκδοχή των Sentenced.