The first encounter with the new voice of CANDLEMASS was in their latest album King Of The Grey Islands where Rober Lowe proved his vocal potentials. Personally, I did not have any doubts about Lowe's singing abilities, due to his SOLITUDE AETURNUS background, but I was a little bit skeptic about his on-stage performance and how he could replace Messiah Marcolin's trademark figure. These thoughts were tormenting some of the Greek metalheads that did not come to Gagarin205 club that ended up with about 600 - 700 attendees. This number is considered small when compared to the band's previous visits in the land of gods. Well, enough with the intro let's get into the concert itself.

I found Yiannis Z waiting in the front of the club without worrying about my 15 minutes delay (sorry mate). The time we entered the venue the Greek band NEED were performing the first seconds of Torn that comes from their latest release The Wisdom Machine. This album is really good (you should check it out) and to my surprise the band did well upon the stage (not a common thing for the Greek bands). The sound was very good and NEED did a hell of a job in warming the crowd with their PANTERA influenced songs spiced up by some Progressive metal additions. They performed a really interesting cover on SAVATAGE's Jesus Saves with their own style while they added an excerpt from METALLICA's Master Of Puppets ended up with a PANTERA track. Two thumbs up for them!

The stage was prepared and the doom masters entered under the depressive melodies of Marche Funebre. I bind unto myself today the strong name of the trinity and The Well Of Souls preambled Lowe's appearance under a most warm applause and welcome. Apart from his excellent voice Lowe matched CANDLEMASS on-stage giving the impression that he was with them for years. Without needless breaks the band performed At The Gallows End and the Greeks were singing their lungs out! Solitude was next and the decision was made; the king is dead, long live the king! I have never seen CANDLEMASS performing with that uplifting spirit; I mean the guys were moving up and the down the stage with a smile in their faces that in some way was previously missing. I don't accuse Messiah for anything but I think his conflicts with Edling had a serious affect on the band's mood and energy. The set list featured four tracks from the new album that sounded better than the studio especially my personal favorite Of Star And Smoke. CANDLEMASS did two encores with Samarithan as their last song. I can surely say that this is the beginning of a new era for the founders of the Doom Metal scene with more excellent albums on the way!

NEED set list
1. Torn
2. The White Tunnel
3. Twinsoul
4. Sea Of Lost Faces
5. 7h
6. Jesus Saves
7. Stroll Of Choice
8. Denmad
9. Nickels And Dimes

CANDLEMASS set list
1. Marche Funebre
2. The Well Of Souls
3. At The Gallows End
4. Solitude
5. Emperor Of The Void
6. Devil Seed
7. Mirror Mirror
8. Under The Oak
9. Of Stars And Smoke
10. A Sorcerer's Pledge
11. Black Dwarf
12. Embracing The Styx
13. Samarithan