Horns Up Festival is bigger than ever this year, coming in two installments—two days in March and another two in May. A commercially risky move, but the organizers wanted to take things up a notch, as they celebrate the festival’s ten-year anniversary. What started with the lowest expectations in its first year has now firmly established itself in the minds of the audience as one of the best underground metal festivals in the country.
“In a blaze of glory…”
So, on Sunday, March 2nd, everything was set for the day that the mighty Titan Force would take the stage. Before them, we had the opportunity to enjoy the classic sound of Australian Raven Black Night, the power metal of Adamantis from the U.S., the high-energy heavy metal of Deus Culpa, and the blackened assault of Dark Vision and Melinoë.
With only a five-minute delay, Melinoë took the stage (and while it might seem like a minor detail, it’s impressive how this festival manages to stay on schedule, which is a huge help for everyone). The band from Thessaloniki had the tough role of opening the day, meaning that not too many people had gathered yet. However, they weren’t discouraged and presented their material—essentially, the five tracks from their Saffron Cloaked Nymph EP plus one additional song.
“Judgment is delivered through insanity…”
I wasn’t familiar with them before the live show, but they won me over easily. They set the right atmosphere with a lit candle and an Orphic hymn to Melinoë (the ancient deity / chthonic nymph born in the Underworld, who brought nightmares and madness to humans) before diving into their death/black metal outbursts. Their sound blends melody into the mix, adding more variety and interest to their material. The band was unexpectedly tight for a newer act, and their 35-minute set flew by. In the last song, alongside vocalist Teo, guest vocalist Dess joined in.
Melinoe setlist:
Saffron Cloaked Nymph / The Murderess / Erinyes / Maiden, Mother & Crone / Akhlys / Goddess Ran / To The Gallows
“Somewhere close to feel my endless pain…”
At 18:55, Deus Culpa took the stage, shifting the soundscape completely, as the Athenians play in a hard n’ heavy style. Their 40-minute set, featuring tracks from their Roots EP and their two singles Bliss You, had the right vibes. They had some dedicated fans at the front, but they also won over the rest of the audience, judging by the applause—a sure sign of approval.
Watching them perform, I initially assumed their lyrics were more laid-back, but after reading them, I realized they actually touch on social issues, which earns them extra credit. After all, most of the audience was still talking about the massive protests across Greece on Friday, March 28th, regarding the Tempi train disaster, including a demonstration in Trikala where people marched to the railway station.
Deus Culpa setlist:
Intro / Isle of Dirt / Lost in the Way / Room to Breathe / Not giving our Nation / So many years / Bliss you / Eyes unveiled
As the crowd started to grow (since Andromeda is a much larger venue than Suite, making it feel emptier even with the same number of people), it was time for the first international act of the night—Adamantis. The band from Brighton, Massachusetts, plays in the power-heavy realm, mixing elements of Blind Guardian and US power/speed metal—a treat for fans of the genre.
Due to personal reasons, Javier Estrada couldn’t make it to Greece, so Andrew Matarazzo (Perennial Quest, Face First) stepped in on guitar.
“Swords are drawn and we shall prevail…”
Unfortunately, I was only familiar with their debut album (Far Flung Realm), so I had trouble following many of the new songs from their upcoming release (Reforged), which was set to drop just days after the live show. However, they kicked off with the album’s lead single, Steelclad, setting the tone. The closing track, Gates of Miklagard, was also a fresh one and turned out to be one of the best moments of their set.
The young Americans played with energy—swords were raised in the air multiple times, and everyone seemed to be having a blast. While I still believe they sound stronger in the studio, it won’t be long before their live performance reaches that same level.
Adamantis setlist:
Steelclad / Unbound Souls / Fire and Brimstone / Funeral for a King / Reforged / Storm the Walls / Ride for Ruin / Gates of Miklagard
Beer was great, but hunger was kicking in, and the festival’s decision to have a souvlaki stand right outside the venue was a lifesaver for those enduring the 6.5-hour marathon. Plus, with the venue just 2 minutes from Trikala’s central square, there were plenty of food options.
By 21:00, we were back inside as Dark Vision took the stage.
“Full moon shines…”
This Greek band has been around for decades, despite having a relatively small discography. Their 45-minute set focused mainly on their album Ianos, delivering relentless death/black metal. Special mention to their bassist, who powered through the set despite having an injured wrist and playing with a brace—pure dedication.
I wasn’t familiar with their songs beforehand, but they impressed me. Their cover of Bathory’s “Raise The Dead” was the cherry on top, closing out the extreme metal portion of the night in style.
Dark Vision setlist:
Intro / Gruesome Tide / Absurdity In Abyss / Asylum / Defile The Pure (Destroy) / Sulfur Vision / Yearning / Signs From Fallen Stars / Raise The Dead (Bathory Cover)
By now, the venue had filled up significantly, and the crowd was fully warmed up. At 22:10, Raven Black Night took the stage. Coming all the way from Australia, this band has been around since 1999, delivering a unique mix of epic doom and traditional heavy metal. They’ve often been compared to Manilla Road and Cirith Ungol, with their raw, old-school approach.
“Can you hear the whispers of the night…?”
The band immediately drew attention with their theatrical presence—especially Jim Petkoff, aka “The White Knight,” on vocals and guitar. His distinctive voice, somewhere between a bard and a heavy metal storyteller, set the mood for their set. They played a mix of classic material and newer tracks, taking us on a journey through their discography.
Their sound is unmistakably underground, with a slightly unpolished edge that adds to their charm. This wasn’t an overly technical performance, but it was full of passion, and that’s what truly mattered. Their cover of “Black Sabbath” (yes, the song!) was a particularly special moment—hearing that doom-laden riff live was pure magic.
Overall, Raven Black Night delivered an engaging 45-minute set that served as the perfect lead-in to the night’s headliner.
Black Raven Night set list:
Fire in your eyes / Castle Walls / My love is Holy / Like a Warrior / Black Queen / Mystery Woman / If you Choose the Dark / Lips of Desire / Morbid Gladiator
“Chase your thoughts / chase your dreams…”
And then, the moment we had all been waiting for… At 23:15, the legendary Titan Force took the stage, marking their first-ever show in Greece! Fans had been waiting decades to see them live, and from the first notes of “Chase Your Dreams,” it was clear that this would be a night to remember.
“Swords are raised… The battle begins!”
Ten years after their appearance at Kyttaro, I was curious to see what shape the Americans were in, and fortunately, they did not disappoint once again. All the outstanding compositions we loved from their first two albums were part of the setlist, which, slowly but steadily, led their performance to the level of a truly spectacular concert night.
With the support of great sound (something that held true for the entire evening) and exceptional performances from everyone, they were truly enjoyable—and they themselves seemed to be having a blast. The legendary drummer showed up wearing a Meshuggah t-shirt, and it’s no coincidence that he injects energy and intensity into the band, making sure their songs don’t sound “dated.” John Flores was incredible on bass, while the two guitarists were phenomenal—Mario being a rock-solid presence, complemented by some excellent, intricate leads from Steve Langemo.
Personally, I once again enjoyed the amazing Harry Conklin, who was impressive behind the microphone, as he always is, no matter which band he’s performing with. The exceptional, lyrical US power metal of Titan Force is perfect for nights like this, though a new full-length album wouldn’t hurt—especially now that they’ve played in Greece three times, and we’ve already enjoyed their classic tracks to the fullest…
Titan Force setlist:
Only The Strong / Small Price To Pay / Winner/Looser / Eyes Of The Young / Fool On The Run / In The End / Fields Of Valor / Shadow Of A Promise / Wings Of Rage / New Age Rebels / Master Of Disguise / Will-O-The-Wisp / Toll Of Pain / Bright Red / Chase Your Dreams / Blaze Of Glory
® report/photos/video: Konstantinos Mindcrimek Vlachos
