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.

Review: Leaves' Eyes - Meredead

Οχτώ χρόνια μετά τη δημιουργία τους, και με τρεις δίσκους στο ενεργητικό τους, οι Leaves’ Eyes μας παρουσιάζουν την τέταρτη δουλειά τους, και το όνομα αυτής Meredead. Μετά από μία σειρά αλλαγών των μελών, επέστρεψαν με το full line-up των Atrocity, με την Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull και τον Alexander Krull στα φωνητικά, τον Thorsten Bauer σε κιθάρα και μπάσο, τον Sander Van Der Meer επίσης σε κιθάρα και τον Roland Navratil στα drums.

Review: Believer - Transhuman

When we are talking about progressive metal, we expect, besides the more technical part, some experimentation on each level. There are very few bands that can achieve that and not fall into the trap of repeating themselves on each album. Believer is one of these bands.

Review: Abrogation - Tief, Schwarz, Blutig, Rot

Many of us agree that German is quite a suitable language for metal. A harsh language for hard music. Abrogation is one of those few bands who sing in their mother tongue. And while the majority of those bands, at some point, start to use English, Abrogation did the exact opposite, and while their two first releases were in English, from 1999 they sing in German.  

Review: Imperia - Secret Passion

 It’s been 4 years since their last release, and Imperia have now returned with their 3^rd album, “Secret Passion”. Once again, they have presented us with an album that steps with one foot on symphonic metal, and with the other on gothic metal.