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What follows is a report on the concert, or actually what should have been a complete concert by the legendary LEATHERWOLF that visited our country for the first time in their 25-year-old career.
Let's take things from the beginning. Due to work I arrived two hours later than the announced hour missing Clairvoyant (sorry guys) and just on time to see Marauder's performance, which means that the delay of the event was more than obvious. The band played for 40 minutes its heavy/power songs based on twin guitar melodies and high-pitched vocals. Those who are familiar with the Greek scene need no further introduction of the band since it is one of the most successful, having released 4 albums up to now and a 5th one in the next few months out of which we heard one new, really fast and heavy song. More than 200 people were there, most of them the usual suspects of the underground scene, to cheer and support a band that deserves this kind of support.
The time for the main dish came quickly as Leatherwolf took their step on the, very limited for a 5-member band, stage. They begun their set kind of collected mostly because they didn't know what to expect as they said, but after a few songs and the reactions of the crowd they let themselves go and they gave their best using the very limited space they had to move and perform. We were attacked by three guitars and there was no place to cover. Lots of sweat, beers and melodies that were for years awaited to be heard on the Athenian air (or underground) was what we were experiencing…
…up until something totally unexpected happened. Suddenly, the power went down and everything went black in the middle of Black Jack (what an irony…). Ok, shit happens, but this was deep shit since there couldn't be no recovery for what I can only guess is the lack of a generator in the venue. Let me state something: I have huge respect for the production company that makes the efforts and invites bands that we never had the chance to watch live in Greece like Artch, Leatherwolf etc. and the same goes to the Underworld team which is helpful and really cooperative at all times. BUT, when you organize events like these I think the least you can do is to guarantee their continuation even in these kinds of situations. Since I don't know exactly what happened I don't want to base my argument on speculations, but the outcome was that the concert was violently interrupted. And if you think we were disappointed you should see the drummer. The guys from the band couldn't believe their bad lack just when things were heating up for good. After some minutes of sheer confusion we went out (up) in search of light and air. There, the band was signing autographs, taking pictures with the fans, even singing songs a capella with those who knew the lyrics. Nice moments of companionship, but it is certain everybody would prefer them to complete their set which should have been this:
1. Wicked Ways
2. Street Ready
3. Behind The Gun
4. Derailed
5. Rule The Night
6. Gypsies And Thieves
7. Hideaway
8. I Am The Law
9. The Grail
10. Black Jack
11. Thunder
12. Season Of The Witch
13. Kill And Kill Again
14. Too Much
15. The Calling
16. Spiter
…and was interrupted in the middle of "Black Jack". So, even though we witnessed a sensational performance of "Hideaway" and a furious "Rule The Night" we were left incomplete as naturally Leatherwolf were saving the old and the best for the end. The word that can better describe our feelings is frustration. Just when you think things as far as heavy metal concerts are concerned are getting really better with plenty of gigs of respectable bands with reasonable prices (18 euros this one), things like these happen that holds us back for sure. It was a shame.
P.S. I left half an hour after the lights went off. I heard that the at some point the electricity came back and the concert continued with less than 100 people as half had already left. I honestly don't care if this is true or not, I will remain the same disappointed either way.
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