Dimlight

Total Playing Time: About 30 Minutes

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal with Female Vocals.

General Comments: Dimlight is a band that comes from Athens and was formed somewhere in 2005. The band had the chance to introduce us to their music by playing some songs that will be included in their first full-length album that will be ready soon. What you first notice are the very good female vocals and some very interesting ideas. The band also seemed to be experienced in live performances as their stage appearance was very good and their sound was great. Not so original, but they are very good in what they are doing. The fans of the genre liked them very much.

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/dimlightband

Angelknight

Total Playing Time: About 40 Minutes

Genre: Heavy/Power Metal

General Comments: Angelknight come from Larisa (Greece) and the band was formed somewhere in 1996. Since then, they have released 2 demos and an EP entitled “Rage Of Angels”. Now, the band is working on its first official release which will be ready soon. Their music is strongly reminiscent of Rage, Riot and generally they are greatly influenced by the German Power Metal School. But, on stage the band seemed to enjoy it. Even though they played under unbearable heat and their sound wasn’t very good, they were in great mood and gave a very good impression to the fans of the genre. I also liked very much their cover of “Emerald” of Thin Lizzy.

 Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/angelknight1

Embrace Depart

Total Playing Time: About 30 Minutes

Genre: Atmospheric Gothic Metal

General Comments: This band hails from Edessa (Greece) and was formed somewhere in 2003. They recorded their first self financed debut album entitled “Ending Dreams” in the end of 2006. Most of the Greek fans will recognize them as the supporting act for Katatonia and Lake Of Tears at Thessalonica. Nevertheless, the band didn't really reach my expectations. Having a terrible sound and many technical problems (of course, it wasn’t their fault) the instruments sounded quite asychronized. At times, I could recognize some interesting ideas and some clever electro influences but the final result was quite tiresome and boring to listen to. Maybe, they should work more on their instruments and try to be more imaginative.

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/embracedepart

Devine Element

Total Playing Time: About 30 Minutes

Genre: Melodic Black Metal

General Comments: It was time for the Athenian (Greece) Blacksters DIVINE ELEMENT to appear on stage. To be honest, I didn’t know anything about them till that day, so it was the first time that I had the chance to listen to them. This is a typical Greek Black Metal band with some nice and pretty interesting ideas, but nothing more than that. They are greatly influenced by bands like Primordial, Rotting Christ and Arcturus. Even though they are quite skilled musicians and the vocals are really great, they gave me the impression that they haven’t spent much time playing together as there was not enough synchronization among the instruments. They also played a great cover of Necromantia’s “Ancient Pride”.

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/divineelement              

Turris Spectrum

Total Playing Time: About 30 Minutes

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal

General Comments: The next band that had to give the test in front of the demanding audience under the terrible heat was TURRIS SPECTRUM and I think that they did very well. This band hails from Xanthi (Greece) and till now they have recorded 2 demos, 1 promo cd as well as a very good full-length album which contains 9 tracks. They entered with a great keyboard intro that beautifully introduced their dark and atmospheric mood. The band's music is something between the early Septic Flesh, Dimmu Borgir and Cradle Of Filth. What I really liked was their great stage appearance, the very good vocals and the suitable use of keyboards. Taking into consideration their small age, I believe that if they work more on their instruments and try to find their own sound, they will definitely manage to achieve something really great in the future.

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/turrisspectrum

Strikelight

Total Playing Time: About 35 Minutes

Genre: N.W.O.B.H.M.

General Comments: That band comes from Athens (Greece) and till now they have recorded one demo-cd and 1 full-length album. I would characterize them “the children of Stormwitch” as they have a great similarity with that band both musically and in their stage appearance. With a thrash 80's appearance and great energy, STRIKELIGHT managed to convey that enthusiasm to the audience, even though they had to face many teqniqual problems in the beginning. We are not talking about great technique, but those guys seemed to adore what they do. The lack of originality was something that really didn’t matter as this band definitely managed to send us back to the nostalgic days of the legendary 80’s.      

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/strikelight  

Bare Infinity

Total Playing Time: About 30 Minutes

Genre: Atmospheric Power/Gothic

General comments:BARE INFINITY is a band that comes from Athens (Greece) and is generally known to the Greek metal fans, especially to those who like their genre. Their music is something between Nightwish, HIM (…) and Leave's Eyes. Dressed in black, with great female vocals, good sound and interesting ideas, the band finally managed to give a very good impression to the fans. Their stage appearance was very good and the instruments seemed to be very tied together. Surely, the band succeeded in demonstrating their great experience in live shows. We are not talking about something first-heard, but they are definitely very good and faithful to what they're doing.

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/bareinfinity

Marauder

Total Playing Time: About 45 Minutes

Genre: Power/Heavy Metal

General Comments: Widely known to the Greek fans, MARAUDER was the next band to appear. They were formed somewhere in 1990 and since then they have managed to become one the most popular bands in Greece. The band was in great mood and managed to satisfy their few but faithful fans by playing many old songs from their previous albums. Their great technique and experience in playing live is unquestionable. They managed to warm and cheer up the audience. Alexandros (vocals) proved that he is a great frontman, if only he had a better English accent. One of the greatest moments of the whole day.

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/maraudergr

Wotan

Total Playing Time: About 45 Minutes

Genre: Power/Epic Metal

General Comments: It was time for the Italian power metallers WOTAN to appear on stage. Their appearance caused great enthusiasm as they are generally known to the Greek fans of the genre. They entered with an impressive instrumental intro and they continued with many songs especially from “Carmina Barbarica” and “Epos”. There is a great tying between the four members of the band that with their great solos and catchy melodic choruses managed to warm again the crowd that responded with clapping and headbanging.

Link Of Interest: www.wotanmetal.com

Distortion Of Perception

Total Playing Time: About 40 Minutes

Genre: Progressive/Death Metal

General Comments: Next is another great band from Xanthi (Greece). Even though their main influences are Nevermore and Death I could also recognize a lot of grind/hardcore elements in their music. The audience generally liked them, even though their sound wasn’t very good. Truly, a band with great technique and very interesting and original ideas, a fact not so common, especially for the Greek bands of this kind. I hope that they will soon get the chance to be signed from a record label, because those guys really deserve it.

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/distortionofperception

Lost

Total Playing Time: About 50 Minutes

Genre: Atmospheric Death Metal 

General Comments: It was time for the Romanian deathsters LOST to appear on stage. Even though three years have only passed since their birth date and having recorded only 1 Promo-CD together with 1 Mini- CD, they are generally known to the Greek fans of the genre that reacted with great enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the band’s sound wasn’t very good, but that didn’t bother us to enjoy their heavy sharp riffs and nice choruses that are cleverly mixed with beautiful keyboards. In the end, they dedicated a song to Chuck Schuldiner (R.I.P)

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/lostromania

Lunarsea

Total Playing Time:About 50 Minutes

Genre: Melodic Death Metal

General Comments: LUNARSEA is the greatest proof that Italy not only "produces" very good Power Metal, but also excellent Death Metal bands. Having already recorded 2 demos and 1 album entitled "Hydrodynamic Wave" they are ready to conquer the European Death Metal scene. Unfortunately, the band is not particularly known in Greece so they didn't get the participation I expected. But I believe that it was a great performance for all those that had dealt with their music before. Emiliano Pacioni once again proved that he is undoubtedly one of the greatest guitarists in the European scene.

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/lunarseaband

Moonsorrow

Total Playing Time: About 50 Minutes

Genre:Viking Black Metal

General Comments: Those Finnish powerful musicians were enough to warm again the audience. A talented, tied band with very good sound and great technique. Their songs are characterized by beautiful, catchy refrains, emotional passages and nice solos. Simultaneously, the keyboards created a fantastic atmosphere. In the end, they ironically dedicated a song to the Greek Police Force. They really gave a very good impression to the audience

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/moonsorrowofficial

Mystic Prophecy

Total Playing Time: About 1 Hour

Genre: Heavy/Speed Metal

General Comments: As the time for the main bands was approaching, more and more people were arriving at the place of the concert. So, more than 500 people had the chance to see Mystic Prophecy playing live. The German band with the Greek singer (D. Liapakis) gave a really fantastic show. There were no few those who claimed that it was the best moment of the whole day. They presented a "best of" setlist from their three previous albums as well as some new tracks from their upcoming album entitled "Satanic curses". Judging from these tracks, I strongly believe that this might be the best album of their career. Dimitris is a fantastic frontman. He continually made the crowd scream and sing the lyrics. Also, it seems that there is a fantastic chemistry between the guitar duo which with it's sharp, speedy riffs and solos made the fans headbanging like maniacs. That was a really fantastic appearance.

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/mysticprophecy

Nightrage

Total Playing Time: About 35 Minutes

Genre: N.W.O.S.D.M

General Comments: The time for the band of the fantastic Greek guitarist Marios Iliopoulos had come. They were not few those who came that day, especially for this very special band. After their latest fantastic album "A New Disease Is Born" they have become particularly popular here in Greece, having also in mind Marios' previous band Exhumation. Unfortunately, things didn't happen as expected. Even though they were giving a fantastic show and the fans seemed to have a great time, the band was pressed to finish earlier than scheduled because it was already very late…So the band was made to leave the stage, even though they had played only 7 or 8 songs. That was undoubtedly the worst moment of the whole festival. Many fans got very disappointed and started complaining about the organization, while others that hadn't understood what has really happened started to abuse the band for leaving the stage so quickly. What a shame! When you invite such a great band to your festival you definitely SHOULD NOT behave this way.

Link Of Interest: www.nightrage.com

Total Playing Time: About 1 Hour And A Half

Genre: Thrash Metal

General Comments: As the time for THE HAUNTED was close, many fans started gathering in the front rows. It is very difficult to describe what happened when the band appeared on stage. We are talking about war. Endless headbanging and a huge mosh pit made by more than 600 maniac fans!! It was really very difficult for the security guards to keep the crowd away from the stage. Along with Destruction's appearance, it was certainly the most powerful moment of the whole festival. The band was headbanging all the time and Peter Dolving once again proved that he is a great and communicative frontman. Having a totally fantastic and powerful sound they performed many classic songs from their previous albums and of course the largest part was dedicated to their latest album "The Dead Eye". They left the stage under great enthusiasm, proving for one more time who is the master of European Thrash.

Link Of Interest: www.the-haunted.com

Septic Flesh

Total Playing Time: About 1 Hour And 45 Minutes

Genre: Atmospheric Death/Black Metal

General Comments: Four years of absence is too damn long for a band like SEPTIC FLESH. Many fans (including me) have been waiting very long time for that certain moment. But SEPTIC FLESH are finally back and as it seems, they are stronger than ever. That gig would be their one and only live appearance before they start the recordings for their new album. Even though everyone was very exhausted and the time was quite late, the crowd was continuously shouting the band's name. After some necessary technical preparations SEPTIC FLESH appeared on stage at about 1:00 p.m. Everyone started shouting and headbanging under their magical tunes. Spyros (vocals, bass) was obviously very touched by the response of the audience. They had the intention to satisfy all of their fans so in their playlist all their classic songs were included, from "Esoptron" and "Ophidian Wheel" to "Revolution DNA" and "Sumerian Daemons". They also played a song from their new album entitled "Anubis". If this song is a reliable sample, then this might surely be the best album of their career. We are talking about a perfect mixture of the early aggressive days with their latest melodic albums. SEPTIC FLESH once again proved that they are an endless source of inspiration and unique expression. They are not music lovers, they are art lovers in general and this is obvious on stage. Well done guys. We hope to see you again soon.

Link Of Interest: www.myspace.com/septicfleshcom