“Thrash ’til death…”
The legendary thrashers Destruction were extremely appetite on probably their best performance in Athens, the last many years and they fully satisfied their fans that packed the venue. February couldn’t stand better than this, a great night with great music and two excellent support acts, Yoth Iria and Leatherhead.
Destruction were supposed to play at Golden R Festival in Volos in late August but they had to cancel due to inclement weather and the organizers decided to bring them for two club shows in Athens and Thessaloniki so people could use their festival tickets for the shows with no extra charge. Along with them we also took advantage of the situation because we had the chance to see the legendary band for one more time in Athens. To be honest, I had an extra motive as two great Greek bands were added to the billing, both of them with great recent albums. So, just after 19:00 the doors opened and we got inside the venue…
“Tomahawk takes control…”
As planned, at 19:40 Leatherhead got on stage. They are a band from Larissa and they are into US power/speed metal, bringing in mind some great 80s bands along with some Annihilator vibes. The first time I saw them live was two years ago, at Horns Up Festival, when they had just a cd single but now they carry a great debut album, which they honored obviously. They managed to impress even those when were weren’t familiar with them, they playing was superb, they had lot of energy and for forty minutes they were really on fire. Tolis Mekras was really into his role, following the concept of their album, a native americam that seeks revenge for his tribe, that’s why he was holding the tomahawk or wearing the war bonnet during the Leatherhead track that solemnly closed their set but I really hope they will return soon for another gig.
live video Leatherhead:
Leatherhead setlist:
Equinox / Dressed To Kill / Vampire’s Kiss / Tomahawk / Into The Werewolf’s Lair / Under Your Bed / When Death Is Near / House On The Left / Leatherhead
“The Great Hunter in the sky…”
At this time the venue was fully packed (the organizers announced Sold Out in social media, so it was no surprise that some people couldn’t get inside) so it was pretty difficult to move around, even to get a beer, but it didn’t really matter, at 21:45 Yoth Iria got on stage and for 75 minutes gave an impressive performance. Jim Mutilator’s band has feet firmly planted on the ground, it seems that the countless gigs in and out of Greece turned them into a compact team, let aside they just released a great second full length (Blazing Inferno, one of the best extreme albums in 2024), that’s why they are a joy to watch on stage. It’s a great band really, that mixes the 90s Greek metal style along with other elements, some traditional heavy parts along with the dark essence through out their compositions and the final result is unique and definitely catchy. Orestis was great behind the mic, he has a theatrical approach and of course he never stood still, he was in never ending contact with the fans, he even went down and sung among them. That’s why I found equally important the words by Jim just before they get into Non Serviam, when he dedicated the track while he went back 35 years and recalled the four kids that started their music journey with one motto in their minds and soul, non serviam…
live video Yoth Iria:
Under His Sway / Yoth Iria / But Fear Not / In the Tongue of Birds / Hermetic Code / Blazing Inferno / We Call Upon the Elements / Our Father Rode Again His Ride / Mornings of the One Thousand Golds / Non Serviam / Sid Ed Djinn / The Great Hunter
“A fire is burning in his eyes…”
So, it was about time to see the headliners, the smell of impatience was everywhere around the venue and I was wondering if the tough old German thrashers still had that old spark. I must admit that I had low expectations since I didn’t really enjoyed their gigs the last 15 years. The truth is that most of them were in open air festivals though and the fact is that when I am talking about Destruction, Sodom or Kreator I always go back in their late 80s or early 90s gigs. That’s why Schmier also recalled their first ever gig in Greece, back in 1989, when they played at Rodon Club, yes, a different era I know, but it was back then the strong bond was created with these bands.
“hell storms ,rush over the earth…”
So, what is this? The nostalgia of bygone good times? Hopefully, I was so wrong! The band kicked off with a dive into Eternal Devastation from ’86, then offered us a shot from Infernal Overkill and then a great performance of Nailed to the Cross from The Antichrist, an album that impressed me back in 2001. Oh yes, what a start, mosh pit was already getting hot, some brave ones were trying to fool the security and try some stage diving but Schmier was unstoppable tonight and started to talk about a… Mad Butcher. Chaos all over, chaos that continued through out the night. At this point I already knew that I was wrong, Destruction were extremely appetite, fully energetic, they had fun on stage and this was obvious on us, so everyone was happy (sound wasn’t great at first but we didn’t really care that much). Release From Agony is a great track and sounds even better on stage, two guitars seem to offer a richier sound in most of the songs anyway, even the track from the upcoming album was good enough but of course they soon turned again of some classic stuff, their set was kind of a best of this time. Schmier was the only original member and definitely the leader of the pack but he had some great players on his side and all together for 90 minutes they had only one thing in mind…. Thrash Till Death…
live video Destruction:
Destruction setlist:
Curse the Gods / Invincible Force / Nailed to the Cross / Mad Butcher / Life Without Sense / Release From Agony / Armageddonizer / Total Desaster / Eternal Ban / No Kings No Masters / Antichrist / Death Trap / Diabolical / Bestial Invasion / Τhrash til Death
® live report/photos/videos: Konstantinos Mindcrimek Vlachos
