[Harry] Saturday evening and the time was getting closer for us to watch a concert that -to tell you the truth- I expected more or less 200 metalheads, but fortunately I was wrong. So, myself and Yiannis D. took the metro and arrived at the venue just in time, since the concert started right on time (something not that usual when we are talking about mounting a concert in Greece). So, we ran inside Gagarin205 club to see DARK VISION on stage.

Here, I'd like to say that I can't understand the way that some fans of our beloved music are thinking. Only 100 people were in the venue while the first support act was on stage and many of them came just in time to see the headliners. This attitude is something that I would never adopt and I strongly believe that this is not good for the supporting bands. And then people are bitching about the bands that are not doing anything about their music...

[Yiannis D.] The first band always has to handle the hard part. The opening act is always challenged to play in a half empty venue and try to warm up the audience. The band that had to go through all these was DARK VISION. The Greek extreme metallers have been around since 1996 and carry several releases under their belts. Musically they are a rather unique and diverse band since their music features elements from the European Black/Death scene, as well as the US one and also incorporates some Heavy Metal influences. And when we all thought that the influences were over... Here come DARK VISION with a brand new song that featured even Sludge elements! Definitely one of the most interesting bands I have seen live lately. Their latest release is 2008's Bestial Remedy EP, and as you can easily understand most of their set was based on it. I had listened to their stuff and this was the first time I saw them live. Their flawless performance, their energetic and charismatic frontman and their well worked songs (regarding both compositions and performance on stage) were only a few of the reasons this band made me have a hell of a good time and bang my head until last breath (my neck was damaged until DARK VISION ended their set). Who are SATYRICON again? Hahaha!

[Harry] It was time for RAVENCULT to hit the stage. The band managed to warm up the crowd that was starting to gather. They gave everything they had and most of us had a great time with their Black Metal manifesto. The only problem was with the drum kit. It was like the kit itself had come to life and was moving through the whole performance, forcing the drummer to make mistakes, trying to hold and pull the kit to its place! It was like someone made some voodoo. But the band tried for the best and the succeeded it. RAVENCULT did a good show playing tunes from their latest album Temples Of Torment, headbanging all the time and L (vocals) gave a great performance. Surely, I will have the chance to see them on stage again and without the technical problems, because I think that this band deserves more.

[Yiannis D.] After a small delay, the lights went down and Johnny Cash of Black Metal (that's how I like to call Satyr with his current look) and his mates got on stage. Despite his small accident (he hurt his leg) he was full of energy and decided to show it right from the start. The intro was over and the first notes of Repined Bastard Nation made every single head bang! With a really good and clear sound, SATYRICON managed to tear everything apart with their Black & Roll litanies. And I say Black & Roll because unfortunately (at least for me) the setlist was mostly based on the newer songs. Just to give you a small idea, Repined Bastard Nation, Commando, Black Crow On A Tombstone, Now, Diabolical, My Skin Is Cold, Die By My Hand, The Wolfpack... I don't say that these are bad songs (well, some of them are), but I surely missed some old school cold Norwegian Black Metal. Every song was performed with amazing professionalism and Satyr was playing with the crowd all the time making everyone sing along! He ended up getting kind of boring at times, but in general he was a great frontman. They managed to make everyone have a great time, and I am damn sure that nobody left the venue disappointed. After about an hour they left the stage just to return for the (typical nowadays) encore. K.I.N.G., Fuel For Hatred and Mother North came down crushing to finish us. Well, at least we listened to one old song, even if it is a hit!

[Harry] After the show was over, the only thing that someone could see around was happy and satisfied faces. A great performance from all the bands, and I'm sure that they had a great time on stage like we did. And I hope that we will see in future events those beautiful presences that we saw that night. Almost all the guys were talking about the girls that came to see SATYRICON and I don't think I'm going to easily forget the girl that was headbanging beside me.

(photos by Harry)

DARK VISION

RAVENCULT

SATYRICON