Isn't it weird, isn't it unfair, isn't it bullshit for a Metal band to be famous_remembered mostly for its 'donation' of a cover version by a huge (then) Metal (then) band? Doesn't it get on your nerves when you ask people 'bout Blitzkrieg and the first thing that comes to most fans' minds is the "Blitzkrieg" cover of Metallica? Isn't it outrageous to have Ulrich's ass wiped with golden toilet paper when Brian Ross - maybe the living N.W.O.B.H.M. legend - still delivers quality British Metal music in a "rich" 25-year career?… Shouldn't I finish up writing shit at some time?
I arrived at the Underworld Club (Athens centre) nearly one hour before the initially announced kick-off time. A dozen of Metal fans were already gathered outside the venue with cold beers. One of them had parked his '79 Ford Escort car at the foot-walk next to the club's door so as the car's speakers could blow off to the tunes of British Metal bands such as Saxon, Iron Maiden, Grim Reaper, Witchfynde or early Def Leppard. Yeap, it's 2005 and we're in no mood of altering our retro likes!

Due to the abrupt power failure - civil works taking place in the greater area - the promoter_club owner had brought a 50KVA mobile generator to provide sufficient electricity - otherwise we'd be honored to see the first (and last) Blitzkrieg unplugged gig. Thus, it was not until 9:00 pm that a total of 100 metalheads entered the venue to take their position around the stage, have another beer or take a look at the merch goodies. Wow, I grabbed a Blitzkrieg shirt for only 10 Euros while most CDs were at the same price. I'd grab that Raven DVD also but I think it's the same one as my VHS tape they once released years ago, so I saved the money for a beer. Well, was it Jess Cox (ex-Tygers Of Pan Tang, Neat_Metal Nation Records owner) behind the stall or not? Shit, years do pass by for all of us!

Greek retro metallers Strikelight took command of the stage at 9:15. They are really young at age and do not hide their adoration for the whole N.W.O.B.H.M. movement. Dressed in Satan_Grim Reaper_Tokyo Blade_Iron Maiden shirts, these rookies have already left their mark at the Athenian Metal scene. Really decent in what they prey, the band presented a set of 6-7 tunes, most of them out of their first official effort "Strikelight" (already out on Eat Metal Records). Songs like "Fake Beliefs", "Inner Voice" and "Streets Of Glory" were received with endless headbanging while the same titled track brought total frenzy in the first rows. I saw Brian Ross applauding with joy this truthful act, even if - in my opinion - they need to practice more on their technical skills so as to introduce their spirited music in a more persuasive way. No matter what, Strikelight proved again to be an honest band and - as a present - they closed their performance with a killer version of Grim Reaper's "See You In Hell"! Thumbs (in general) up!

Airged L'amh were next to follow. A truly remarkable Greek Metal band with a rather personal sound - I can only think of bands like Slough Feg to come up with a sound comparison. I was really disappointed by the band's previous show - bad circumstance, I know - and was really looking forward to this one. And, hell yeah, they destroyed the fuckin' place! Supported by an excellent rock-hard sound the five piece act delivered passionate Metal music from both their albums - "One Eyed God" (20022) and "The Silver Arm" (2004) - with "Guardian Of The Ancient Deeds" striking hard while songs like "The Vision Revealed", "Splendor Divine" and "Fate Of The King" (or is this just my impression? Fuckin' beerz…) succeeded in gaining a thunderous response by the fanatic crowd. Stavros' voice was - again - powerful and convincing while both guitars roared thunder and the rock-solid John Tsimas_George Thanasopoulos rhythm section commanded the whole stage. A really remarkable performance, applauded by the entire venue!

In a short break, the stage was prepared for what was to follow: one of the most significant British Metal bands onstage in Athens, Greece in 2005! I was really worried about what I'd be witnessing; I couldn't stand the possibility of being let down. Well, after seven (or eight) years the Leicester warriors took their place on stage and the enigmatic_cult black-dressed figure of Brian Ross proposed the upcoming thunder. Brian showed a professional attitude, even if he was playing in front of no more than 130 fans. His voice is like wine; the older it gets, the better it is! Furthermore, he has the unique capability of building up his own atmosphere whatever the reaction of the crowd may be. Add also the 'crashing' response by the audience and you got the picture!

As for the rest of the band: Paul Nesbitt (guitars - left) was great. Simplicity, passion, free spirit and accuracy in one man. With a more than good sound he did very well with both the new and the old stuff. The same goes for Ken Johnson (guitars - right), even if he was 'lower' in the outcoming mix. I loved the way he handled his leads and his general attitude presented a rather devoted musician. Still, my personal like was Paul Brewis (bass), Brian's onstage helping hand. He was the co-entertainer and managed to make 100+ fans scream like thousands! Really glad Ross has this bassist! Last but not least, drummer Phil Brewis was the driving force for the whole band - even if he too was a little bit 'low' in the mix - and I really enjoyed his powerful drumming in most tunes.

As for the setlist, this proved to be a challenge! Many songs from the band's latest release, "Sins And Greed", did leave the audience with mixed emotions. Tunes like "Hell Express", "Rise", "Traitors Gate", "Escape From The Village", "Eyes Of The World" and "Jeckyl & Hyde" were the fine samples out of this year's fine release - a better effort relating to 2002's "Absolute Power" - but eventually cut off remarkable time for the old stuff. And what about it? "Nocturnal Vision" burst out like hell, "Unholy Trinity" started the fire and "Armageddon" (the opening track - or not? Hey, am I goin' insane') blew the speakers away!

Yet, everyone seemed to be saving energy for the track that started it all! "Let us have peace, let us have light…" and nothing could describe the havoc better than the picture itself! Total shiver, the presence of tears in many people's eyes and a general relief for having bands like Blitzkrieg still fight for Metal music (even if they do not seem capable of drawing the interest of fans under 30 years old…). Wrapping up with Judas Priest's "Hell Bent For Leather" and Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild" - trivia: this song was originally written by a guy named Mars Bonfire (real name Dennis Edmonton), John Key's ex-colleague in a pre-Steppenwolf band named The Sparrow - Blitzkrieg received a warm applause for their general performance and the chance they gave us to witness a British Metal band's gig in 2005. 'Nuff said.

Well, I know tunes like "Inferno", "Pull The Trigger" or "Buried Alive" - the band's first 7" single in 1980 - shouldn't be missing. Still, I can't point out this fact as that crucial for Blitzkrieg's overall show. Even with this absence, I truly believe the band did its best for all of us to have a good time; and we surely did! Thanks Brian, thanks Blitzkrieg, thanks Underworld Club, thanks High Voltage Productions, thanks John "Lepper" and no "thanks" to you bastards (you know who you are)...