Things have settled down a little bit now in my mind, but it's not easy to forget some crucial facts regarding the classic Thrash Metal band's gig in Athens, Greece two days ago. DESTRUCTION is not the band that performs in my country once in a lifetime (older Greek metalheads can recall their thunderous first gig in 1989 at a full-packed legendary Rodon Club, while - since then - they have been visiting our land quite regularly for the Greek standards) and it was really a nice chance to check again the really ruthless trio while also celebrating their 25th anniversary as a band. Well...

Was sharp at my date with the gig: arriving at 8:00pm outside the Texas Necropolis club there were not more than 50 thrashers gathered. Woa... To cut a long story short, while presenting some facts that occurred that evening, let's say that the four-band-billing gig started at around 10:45pm...DESTRUCTION - as rumored - arrived late enough in Athens (or the venue?), plus there was some certain mumbling goin' around regarding their impression on the club/equipment/facilities, while I was really worried how many more Thrash Metal maniacs - as time went by - would gather to honor these German legends.

Waiting and waiting and waiting for the gig to start...and the atmosphere got more intense, as we witnessed DESTRUCTION heading out of the club in not such a positive mood. As soon as we were permitted to enter the main hall, there was a wide feeling that the support bands would play as fast as possible since there was a huge delay, obviously, in the time schedule. Needless to say, in the next hour prior to the headliners' performance there were not more than 40-50 faces present inside the club.

Not much to judge on the support acts' vibe (unknown to me in prior, plus they all were in a hurry): RISING DREAM came from Croatia and performed a modern Heavy_Power Metal mix (3 or 4 songs only) with enough aggressive moments. Being a six-piece band (keyboards included) with limited (or no?) soundcheck, it was quite reasonable that they did not achieve a good-sound performance even if they exposed some really hard work in instrumentation and consistency. IMPERIOUS REX hail from the USA and presented a furious Heavy_Speed Metal set with demonic riffs in the early MEGADETH / METALLICA style with short songs (6, I think) and an acceptable sound (JUDAS PRIEST and 'TALLICA covers were included). METHEDRAS were also good onstage, playing a set of 'new' Metal (6-7 tunes) that's not my cup of tea but created a dynamic mood.

I now think it's a pity a band like DESTRUCTION faced such a response in their set. With all the pre-said stuff goin' on, I'd not wonder if their gig was canceled....Anyway, they stormed out in half past midnight (Metal) and - strictly music-wise - they kicked serious ass. They were really furious, their sound was possibly the best one I've ever heard in this venue and they delivered a striking performance, while being completely faultless in their songlist interpretation. Schmier was a real demon onstage, reacted good with what was called 'the crowd' at the moment (were there more than 100 heads? I doubt...) but_and did not skip showing his anger for whatever happened in prior. Mike was the silent force we all know and trust and Marc was a killing machine that definitely won the bet for pounding hard and evil nonstop.

The setlist included both '80s' and current material: there were very few older Thrashers around (really a shame...) but all tunes were greeted with 'mosh pit' and headbanging enthusiasm by younger thrashers. Recent tracks included Soul Collector, D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N., Metal Discharge and Nailed To The Cross plus a couple more, the Iron Man intro was followed by a huge medley (Antichrist, Release From Agony, Tormentor and Cracked Brain comes to mind right now) while classic cuts like Total Disaster, Mad Butcher, Curse The Gods, Bestial Invasion, Eternal Ban, Life Without Sense and Death Trap were also performed to feed our hunger for some classic German Thrash Metal. Again said, the performance of this diabolic trio was faultless and practiced to the bone, making me considering I should give their recent material another stronger chance....

The fact that the band performed as if they were playing at a big festival is a big credit for them, in my humble opinion. If you'd focus on the stage_music and only you'd have a great time no doubt. Still, external circumstances always alter our emotions - I think - so I do not know if I'd like to see such a killing band playing again in my city (or anywhere in Greece). I believe they do not deserve treated like this, by the fans or the facilities offered; no, not them...

P.S.: No comment 'bout the 'hand made' dressing_equipment room at the very left edge of the arena area...really no comment...
DESTRUCTION 2009 Setlist (maybe missing a couple):
01. Soul Collector
02. Bestial Invasion
03. D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.
04. Mad Butcher
05. Eternal Ban
06. Life Without Sense
07. Metal Discharge
08. Death Trap
09. Thrash 'Til Death
10. Iron Man(BLACK SABBATH) / Antichrist / Release From Agony
11. Drum Solo / Tormentor
12. Invincible Force / The Damned / Cracked Brain / Reject Emotions
13. Butcher Strikes Back
14. Curse The Gods
15. Nailed To The Cross
16. Mad Butcher
17. Total Disaster

(photos by ...my first time with a camera... Greg)

RISING DREAM

IMPERIOUS REX

METHEDRAS

DESTRUCTION