Shadow Gallery, Live In Athens, Oct. 10, 2010

On Sunday Shadow Gallery played in Athens, Greece and history was made.

Not knowing what to expect, although a fan for over a decade, I went to this show half curious half anxious. Would they live up to their studio recordings? Could Brian Ashland do a decent job replacing Mike Baker live? Will they be a tight outfit or no touring experience will result in a sloppy show?

Well 5 seconds in, all my questions were answered. I’ve been to numerous shows the last 15 years that I actively follow the rock/metal music scene, and I can safely say that their concert was one of the very best I’ve ever been to, especially regarding musicianship. What was that? Who Theater? :lol:

Not only did they pull off their studio wizardry in a perfect fashion live but they did it with such ease like they this was their 10th or 15th world tour. Multiple vocal harmonies? there, multiple guitar lines? there, multiple keyboard layers? there… all of it playing to a tee. And with such EASE… they made it look like it was a walk in the park.

There were times that 4 guitars were wailing on stage, at other times 3 keyboards playing at the same time, Cadden-James even brought a flute at somepoint. These guys are expert multi-instrumentalists and masters at their game. Gary Wehrkamp was switching from keys to guitars to drums all the time, while singing backup continuously.

Their setlist consisted of mostly songs off Tyranny, Room V and Digital Ghost but they still had a few songs off their other 3 records (the eponymous, Carved In Stone, Legacy), paying tribute to their entire catalogue. Just after an hour in the show, mad drummer Joe Nevolo did a 9 minute insane drum solo, which contained even drumming on the stage supports and a microphone!

When time came for Crystalline Dream to be played the 700-strong crowd almost demolished the building (as you can see from the video below), even crowdsurfing took place! After 1hr 40m they went off stage for a few minutes then returned to the crowd’s loud applause and played 2 more songs for the encore. During the last of which, Gold Dust, singer Brian Ashland ventured into the audience while singing the first couple of verses.

All in all ’twas a great night and certainly one to remember. If they announce a date near you make sure you don’t miss it.

Videos from the Show:









Setlist:

Stiletto In The Sand
War For Sale
Mystery
Deeper Than Life
Pain
Destination Unknown
Questions At Hand
Ghost of a Chance
Digital Ghost (Intro/teaser)
Brian's Solo Piece
Strong
Joe's Drum Solo
Strong Part II
Keyboard Segue
Andromeda Strain
Crystalline Dream
Haunted

Encore:
Room V
Gold Dust

WORLDS APART 4th show

Another great show aired last Thursday

For those who missed it, you can find it here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/397236803/radio4.mp3

playlist June 10th
1. Rhapsody of Fire - Labyrinth of Madness
2. Winter's Verge - World of Lies
3. Ruggero Leoncavallo - Pagliacci: Vesti La Giubba
4. Annihilator - Striker
5. Sotis Volanis - San To Tsigaro (20 sec. clip)
6. Battleroar - Hyrkanian Blades
7. Growing Order - Black Leather
8. Full Moon - Highlander
9. Iced Earth - The Hunter
10. Stratovarius - Galaxies
11. Anathema - Deep
12. Sympony X - Set the World on Fire (The Lie of Lies)
13. Myrath - Ironic Destiny
14. Sanvoisen - Spirits
15. Voyager - Cross The Line
16. Demon - Don't Break The Circle
17. Mercyful Fate - Come To The Sabbath
18. Uriah Heep - What Kind of God
19. Lucifer's Friend - Thus Spoke Oberon
20. Uli Jon Roth & Electric Sun - I'll Be There
21. The Eric Burdon Band - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood/Nina's Song
22. Jean Michel Jarre - Oxygene II

Don't miss my final show for the season, this Thursday June 17th!

It is a massive production, a bombastic show with songs presented through a narrated heroic fantasy tale.

Show will air in Greek. If there is enough demand for an English version, I will consider to make one for downloading.

June 10th - starts at 20:00 Athens / 17:00 GMT / 12:00 CST

at Radio Jinx: http://jinx.listen2myradio.com

WORLDS APART 3rd Show

I think it was the best so far!

For those who missed it, you can find it here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/394598372/radio3.mp3

playlist June 3rd
1. Steel Panther - Party All Day
2. Wig Wam - Do Ya Wanna Taste It
3. Hansel - Wild Tonight
4. Crazy Lixx - Rock and a Hard Place
5. Brother Firetribe - Who Will You Run To Now
6. Scorpions - Partners In Crime
7. Sixx AM - Live Is Beautiful
8. Zuul - Warriors
9. Amulance - Black Moon Rising
10. Basil Poledouris - Theology / Civilzation
11. Aquaria - Firewings
12. Moonville - Claws In The Dark
13. Mind's Eye - Feed My Revolver
---beginning of themed part----
14. John 5 - The Nightmare Unravels
15. Rebellion - Miklagard
16. H.E.R.R. - The Fall Of Constantinople
17. Pentagram (Mezarkabul) - Anatolia
18. Marauder - The Greek Revolution Begins
19. Manowar - Hatred
20. Rotting Christ - Orders From The Dead (with Diamanda Galas)
21. The Dillinger Escape Plan - Good Neighbour
22. Grand Magus - Self-Deceiver
23. Shadows Fall - War
24. Smash Mouth - Why Can't We Be Friends? (War cover)

the themed bit was about the history and relations between Greece and Turkey, from the Byzantine years till now

WORLDS APART 2nd show

On May 27, my second show aired at Radio Jinx

for those who missed it can listen to it here:
http://rapidshare.com/files/391567294/radio2.mp3

Playlist
1. Black Sabbath - The Devil Cried
2. Savatage - Hall Of The Mountain King
3. Avantasia - Death Is Just A Feeling
4. Sorcerer - The Sorcerer
5. Traitor's Gate - Devil Takes The High Road
6. Jonah Quizz - Attack
7. Attaxe - Blood On The Moon
8. Bon Jovi - Bad Medicine
9. Dew-Scented - Artificial Life
10. Lynnyrd Skynnyrd - Simple Life
11. Pharaoh - Dark New Life
12. Dragonland - Antimatter
13. Watchtower - The Size Of Matter
14. Elf - Never More
15. Masterplan - The Black One
16. InnerWish - Last Breath
17. Dio - Electra
18. Funkadelic - Maggot Brain (live)
19. The Black League - Misfortune
20. Marc Rizzo - Milagro
21. Armic - Espana
22. Trombone Shorty - Suburbia
23. Trombone Shorty - Neph
24. Frank Sinatra - My Way
25. Dio - This Is Your Life


Today June 3rd airs my 3rd show, "tune in" and listen at http://jinx.listen2myradio.com

Times:
Athens: 20:00-22:00
GMT: 17:00-19:00
CST: 12:00-14:00

WORLDS APART radio show @Radio Jinx

Every Thursday, I'll be hosting a radio show at internet station Radio Jinx

The show is called Worlds Apart and it will consist mainly of metal songs along with some jazz/classical/whatever that I may feel like putting on. Some shows will be themed but not all. Talking will be in Greek.

Times are:

Athens: 20:00-22:00
GMT: 17:00-19:00
CST: 12:00-14:00

http://jinx.listen2myradio.com

yesterday, on 20/5 my pilot show aired, you can listen to it here:

http://rapidshare.com/files/388144038/radio1.mp3


Playlist
1. Gus Drax - Kiss of Life
2. Prodigal Earth - Broken World
3. Angels Of Babylon - Oh How The Mighty Have Fallen
4. Satin Steel - Let's Not Die
5. Oliver Magnum - Trapped
6. Serj Tankian - Money
7. Rage - The Beggar's Last Dime
8. Viron - Playground for Billions
9. Kissing Dynamite - We Want More
10. Darkthrone - I Am The Working Class
11. Lair Of The Minotaur - Let's Kill These Motherfuckers
12. Kreator - Destroy What Destroys You
13. Exodus - A Lesson In Violence
14. Annihilator - Payback
15. Heathen - Control By Chaos
16. Muse - Resistance
17. Warrior Soul - The Fourth Reich
18. Europe Last Look At Eden
19. WASP - Babylon's Burning
20. Hibria - Defy The Rules
21. White Wizzard - Live Free or Die
22. Unleashed - This Time We Fight
23. Sabaton - Coat Of Arms
24. H.E.A.T. - We're Gonna Make It to The End
25. Νικος Ξυλουρης - Ποτε Θα Κανει Ξαστερια

Goodbye Ronnie...

A giant, a true god amongst men has decided to leave us forever...

farewell Ronnie, your enormous legacy will never be forgotten, we will keep it alive till the end of time!

may you journey to the stars be as epic as your music!

New videos

I uploaded a few new videos from the shows reported previously,

Behemoth - Ov Fire and The Void


Behemoth - Demigod


Slauter Xstroyes - City of Sirtel


Slauter Xstroyes - Battle Axe


Litany - Plunder Thy Sons


more to come in due time

PAGAN ALTAR Live in Athens, May 17, 2008

I have an entire set of these guys filmed, along with both support groups, Litany and Sorrows Path. It's been sitting in my hard drive for almost two years and I decided it's time to put it where it belongs, to the public! So I'll be uploading various songs from this show on youtube and posting them here.

As you will notice, although the guitarwork and generally the instrumental part is spot on and phenomenal, the vocals are off. The singer claimed that he could not hear well from the monitors resulting in going off-key. Anyway, it's not that bad and the music rocks!

more to come!

BEHEMOTH Live in Athens March 10, 2010

So I was given two tickets to the Behemoth concert from a friend who could not attend. I admit that it was not my intention to go to the show, mainly because I knew the small venue was going to be more than packed and also because it was during a working day. Finally the ticket price of 25 euro seemed too much for these dubious times we live in. Anyway, since it would be a pity to waste the tickets though I decided to attend.

At this point let me say that I like Behemoth quite a bit. Their last few albums are nothing sort of outstanding, setting new heights for the death metal standards. I had never seen them live though, so I was quite excited that I ended up going.

Upon arrival at the venue (1 hour after doors opened), the second support act was just beginning. This was Greek death metal warriors Inveracity. The crowd seemed to be quite pleased as they were constantly getting cheered. I admit not being familiar with their music, and although they seemed to be very good at recreating it on stage, it’s not my cup of tea. So, I will not judge their, honest by all standards, appearance.

Now on to Behemoth. These guys are really excellent showmen. They had a fantastic sound quality, very imposing and impressive stage presence (although their every move was more choreographed than a Britney Spears videoclip… for fuck’s sake metal needs to be a little more liberated). They had a “shock and awe” triple vocal attack, a bombardier for a drummer and razor sharp lead guitars. Nergal was on top form with both his voice and his great guitarwork. The other guys were not far behind either. It was a literal tour de force in there. No complains whatsoever from the song execution part. Their international success is certainly based on the strong package they’ve created and are selling in album and live form. 10 for Behemoth the stage act…

BUT….

and here’s the flipside… I can understand that when the doors open at 20:30 and there’s two support acts, the main band will probably take the stage by 22-22:30 latest. In this case though, Inveracity completed their set at 22:00 and Behemoth took the stage an ENTIRE HOUR later! I’ve attended some big ass concerts with some huge names headlining and NO ONE EVER has needed over 30 minutes of soundcheck and preparation to take the stage. That is totally inexcusable and ridiculous on Behemoth’s part.

However, I kept thinking maybe they’ll play a nice full set to make up for the waiting… what do you know, their whole set took a mere hour and 5 minutes to complete. That’s including full minute (or more) breaks between songs, a drum solo and a few minutes hiding behind the amps stack before hitting the encore. Then suddenly, the lights turned out and our Polish divas rushed off the stage without having the courtesy to say a ‘good night’ or ‘thanks for your money’ or whatever… I mean, it’s one thing to act like a mean tough satanic overlord or whatever they’re supposed to be on stage, but you don’t fucking diss your fans that paid for you to become the fucking diva queens you are at the moment.

We were packed like sardines, were left waiting in pathetic circumstances for a fucking hour, then Mr Nergal didn’t even have the courtesy to play a 90 minute show (which is what I consider to be the ABSOLUTE MINIMUM for any self-respecting concert, especially if it is charged at full price). 0 for Behemoth the metal band.

Conclusion? BIG FAT FRAUD

Last time I felt so cheated after a show, was a few years back when I attended an Isis concert, who in the same way although gave us a great show, it was too bloody short for what we paid.

There you have it…

check out a live video I recorded

New live video from Up The Hammers 5

UP THE HAMMERS V, DAY 2

On Friday March 5 and Saturday March 6, 2010 the fifth UP THE HAMMERS festival took place. Every year I try to attend at least one of the two days and support the heavy metal underground. So this time, due to the bands playing and my work schedule, I ended up attending only on Saturday.

So here’s what I thought of it…

First of all I must say that this was probably the best incarnation of the Festival and overall one the best concerts I’ve ever attended, period. The reason being that each band raised hell and kicked huge amounts of ass.

Unfortunately, I missed the opening band, Raging Storm, so I will start with the next in line.

In Solitude: When I entered the venue, these guys were playing their first track. Upon looking at them I almost burst laughing. Here were these teeny-boppers playing obscure metal, while their lead singer looked like an Alexi Laiho clone, totally posing with badly applied corpsepaint and D&G underpants showing off over his jeans… Needless to say they didn’t make a very good impression image-wise BUT I decided to stick around and watch their show. What I heard was honestly performed heavy metal in the vain of Portrait, Ram, etc, ie. Mercyful Fate revival. It’s a trend for sure, but they seem to pull it off pretty nicely, without even trying to foolishly imitate any King Diamond falsettos. 7

Dexter Ward: This is the new band of Manolis (ex-Battleroar) with Marco (also ex-Battleroar). Manolis is also the organizer of the Festival. I saw these guys a couple of days before this show, during the festival’s warm up party but on Saturday they put out a much better performance. They play classic U.S. metal with elements of rock n’ roll. Marco kicked ass on the vocals and the rest of the guys didn’t fall short either. It’s pretty energetic music and I can’t wait for their first full-length. 8

Atlantean Kodex: I didn’t know what to expect from these guys live. Their EP is pretty decent but didn’t drive me crazy either. However, they surprised me positively as they put on a really good show, great crowd interaction, fantastic renditions of their songs, filled with passion. They recreated their epic metal in a way fitted to such kind of music. Much better than on disc. 8.5

Overdrive: I must be honest and say that I had never heard of them before. When they came out on stage, I saw a bunch of old fat grandpas, looking like some forgotten washed-up late ’70s beer rock band. Apparently, most of the audience got a similar impression as the pit emptied fast. This gave me the chance to watch the show from up close. As the band kept playing I was pleasantly surprised with their simple, albeit catchy, NWOBHM, infused with some pomp rock elements, mainly due to the keyboards present. I was especially moved by the astonishing ballad All Souls Night and its heartbreaking solos. All that aside, they did have a Spinal Tap moment. They had a mascot, another old man dressed up in white wearing a hockey mask, who got up a stool and kept trying to get the audience going, when the singer pushed and he fell head down into the crowd. Everyone had a good laugh, including the band. By the end of the show, the old timers had won over the audience and they were cheered quite loudly. Special mention must be given to the Famous Grouse bottle that kept making rounds onstage and was almost emptied by the time they closed their show. 8

Enforcer: Words cannot describe the hell that broke loose during these guys’ performance. Their debut album, a mix of old school ’80s/Maiden influences but in a more speed/power presentation, was really good but I had absolutely no idea what a powerhouse they are live! Some bands fake the rockstar attitude, others acquire it along the way, others never, these young Swedes are born with it! A crushing show that got all the audience feeding off their palm, filled with rock excess that one would expect from a young LA band in the ’80s. They were pumped up like they had done a kg of coke each…! The icing on the cake was at the end when the singer stage-dove and crowd surfed until the very end of the venue! As I watched this band perform I kept thinking if that’s how Maiden played during the late ’70s when they were paying their dues in the club-circuit… I’m sure they were not far from this. 10

Slauter Xstroyes: Alright, what can I say here… words can do no justice. This is a band of mythic status among the underground metal scene. Disbanded for years, having released only the uber-cult classic Winter Kill in the late ’80s and a compilation of unreleased material in the ’90s, they reunited for a few shows in the last year. Everyone was extremely curious how these guys would recreate their extreme progressive obscure U.S. power metal. After all, the original vocalist is gone and it seemed like an impossible feat to replace him. Well, we became witnesses of not only the perfect reproduction of all their instrumental and vocal acrobatics but in fact of a performance that exceeded the 25 year old recorded material! Their new vocalist is a dead ringer for the original and easily pulled off the mad and powerful vocal lines of the songs. This was an absolutely devastating performance, certainly one to remember for many years to come. 10+

Doomsword: THIS.IS…..DOOMSWORD! THIS.IS…..WAR! This band is easily the best and most important flag-bearer of the Epic Metal genre in the ’00s. Certainly worthy successors to the almighty Manowar. And war is what we got. The not so great sound did not stop 300 madmen to march into battle at the sound of Deathmaster’s horn. The small venue suddenly turned into a great Nordic hall and the few hundred attendees turned into an army of ten thousand warriors screaming their battle cries and slaughtering the enemy. One hour and fifteen minutes was all it took to storm into Valhalla and conquer the crown from Odin himself. As a devoted warrior I will wait for their return to our shores to march into battle again. Our fate is written sword and shield, born to die on the battlefield! 9

Plus I managed to grab a Doomsword tee when Deathmaster threw a couple in the crowd

Overall twas a great night and jolly good fun. Here’s to next year!

UP THE HAMMERS V, WARM-UP SHOW

So, the time of year has come again for the UP THE HAMMERS underground metal festival. On Thursday March 4, 2010 the usual warm up party took place sporting a lineup of Greece's prominent heavy metal bands.

When I arrived the band Dream Weaver had taken the stage. Their dependable heavy/power metal has garnered for them some devoted fans who didn't fail to show up and support them. Next in line were Macedon Harriers. Now this was a band that many were expecting to see, given that they had disbanded after an obscure demo in the late '80s. However, they decided to reunite for this show and possibly some new music. Sadly, the terrible sound they had throughout their set didn't help matters and the audience quickly lost interest. I believe though they still have the ability to put out some new quality metal, so I'll be waiting for their next move.

Following them, Dexter Ward came out, they are a new band but with very familiar faces, ie Marco and Manolis, ex-members of Battleroar. The sound didn't help here either but they managed to rock the place with their high-energy metalized rock n' roll. A couple of vids from their set will be posted soon.

In the end, very promising and upcoming young band Strikelight stormed the stage. Their shows are always filled with passion and energy and this was no exception. With a brand new singer, I was curious to see them live and they did not disappoint. The new set of lungs is phenomenal, hitting high notes like there is no tomorrow. If they play their cards right, a bright future is ahead of them. Following their hellraising heavy metal anthems and a Sortilege cover it was time for the party to end.







Thanks for the fun night guys.