After two unexpected cancellations—one due to the pandemic and another last year—the day we had all been eagerly waiting for had finally arrived. Machine Head were coming back to Greece, ten years after their epic show in Athens, and this time, nothing could stop them. People started arriving early, and with the venue already half full, Fleshgod Apocalypse took the stage just before 8:00 PM to kick off the night in the best possible way.
The Italian symphonic death metallers based their setlist mainly on their latest album Opera, without neglecting some older favorites from King and Agony. They opened with “Ode to Art,” “I Can Never Die,” and “Healing Through,” gradually warming up the crowd as the atmosphere became more and more electrified. As the show progressed, tracks like “Epilogue,” “Bloodclock,” and the fan-favorite “The Fool” ignited the first wall of death of the evening. Just before wrapping up their set, something rare happened: the band’s drummer climbed down from the stage and literally jumped into the pit to mosh with the crowd! The energy skyrocketed as everyone became one with the music, right before their final surprise—a completely unexpected but excellent cover of the old-school classic “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” by Eiffel 65. The audience cheered them off with excitement, and despite the sound not being perfect throughout—since the symphonic backing tracks were sometimes drowned out by the live instruments—Fleshgod Apocalypse left a lasting impression.
Selist: Ode to Art (de’ Sepolcri) / I Can Never Die / Minotaur (The Wrath of Poseidon) / The Fool / Pendulum / No / Bloodclock / Epilogue / The Violation / Blue (Da Ba Dee)
After a short break, it was finally time for Machine Head, a band that, with their recent work and live performances, has set the bar incredibly high. From the very first notes of “Imperium,” it was clear this wouldn’t just be another show—it was a battle zone, where only those who moved with the moshpit’s rhythm would make it out unscathed. “Ten Ton Hammer” followed with force, inflatable hammers being thrown into the crowd, adding a playful twist to the already brutal pit action. The band unleashed one track after another without pause, with “Now We Die” standing out and sending the energy levels through the roof. The crowd was fully engaged, singing, jumping, and pouring their entire energy into the experience.
In a particularly interactive moment, Robb Flynn asked the audience to choose between “Aesthetics of Hate” and “Blood for Blood.” The former won by popular demand, cranking the intensity up even further. Three songs from their latest album followed, with the extremely singable chorus of “Bonescraper” accompanied by the crowd’s “oh-oh-oh” chants. The new tracks leaned more towards a metalcore sound—softer compared to their older material—but blended perfectly with anthems like “Locust,” which echoed all the way to Thessaloniki thanks to the crowd’s deafening participation. Between songs, Robb kept the crowd entertained with his playful banter, tossing beers in cups using his signature technique—a 2% chance of drinking the beer, and a 98% chance of wearing it.
The pace slowed briefly for a bass solo from Jared, followed by an emotionally charged rendition of “Darkness Within” from Robb. The grand finale was nothing short of explosive: “Bulldozer,” “From This Day,” “Davidian,” and of course “Halo” brought the night to a climactic close—chaos, sweat, and total unity between band and crowd. These were unforgettable moments, with timeless songs delivered exactly as they should be, with headbanging and singalongs that surely reached Thessaloniki, where the band would be playing in a few days.
Playing for two relentless hours, I doubt anyone in attendance left with even the slightest complaint. The sound was superb, and every band member gave an exceptional performance. After the final bows and photos with the crowd, the band threw handfuls of commemorative guitar picks, each printed with the date and location of the show—something truly rare and memorable.
It was a long-awaited concert, but it more than made up for the delay, satisfying both fans who had been dying to see them again and those experiencing them live for the first time. Machine Head proved they are still an unstoppable force on stage, while Fleshgod Apocalypse gained plenty of new fans with their music.
One thing is certain: this was one of the best concerts of 2025 and one of the standout shows of the post-COVID era.
Το μόνο σίγουρο; Μια απ’ τις καλύτερες συναυλίες του 2025 αλλά και της μετά covid εποχής.
Selist: Imperium / Ten Ton Hammer / CHØKE ØN THE ASHES ØF YØUR HATE / Now We Die / Is There Anybody Out There? / Aesthetics of Hate / Old / ØUTSIDER / Locust / BØNESCRAPER / BLEEDING ME DRY / Darkness Within / Bulldozer / From This Day / Davidian / Halo
Κείμενο: Γιάννης Δανιήλ
Φωτογραφίες: ndrakosphotography
