It was a night that fully justified the swift sell-out from the Athenian audience. A tour rich in Nightwish nostalgia, as both headlining artists were former bandmates in the iconic Finnish band during a transformative era—rising from raw talent to global acclaim. Century Child and Once remain landmark albums in Nightwish’s legacy, and Tarja and Marko beautifully reminded us why.
I arrived just ten minutes before the Czech band Symphonity took the stage, delayed by the usual nightmare of finding parking near Gagarin 205. Their symphonic metal performance was solid—classic for the genre—and seemed to resonate well with the crowd, who remained engaged but discerning.
At 20:20, Marko Hietala and his band kicked off a 75-minute set featuring tracks from his two solo albums. Two of the songs, performed in Finnish, were from his debut album Pyre of the Black Heart (2019), originally released entirely in his native tongue, Suomi. Sporting a slightly shorter haircut, big headphones as in-ear monitors, and an unmistakable rock pedigree, Marko brought a sense of ease and release to the stage. He was charismatic, humorous, and warmly engaging with the crowd. The highlight of his set was undoubtedly his moving rendition of “Left on Mars” alongside Tarja, while the show closed with a powerful cover of “War Pigs.”
Setlist: Frankenstein’s Wife, Rebel Of The North, Isani Aani, Impatient Zero, The Dragon Must Die, Juoksen Rautateita, Roses From The Deep, Left On Mars, Stones, War Pigs
The mere anticipation of Tarja’s appearance had the crowd buzzing. When she finally took the stage to the opening notes of “Demons In You,” the venue erupted into sheer delirium. Tarja’s performance was emotionally charged, with a band of top-tier musicians and an audience hanging on her every word and movement.
A particularly unforgettable moment came after “Shadow Play,” when she took Marko by the hand and led him on stage. Together, they sang: “All the same, take me away—we’re dead to the world,” igniting the venue. The duo continued with “Dark Star,” “Dead Promises,” and, during the encore, a breathtaking rendition of “Wish I Had an Angel”—one of the night’s standout highlights.
Tarja’s unique presence and vocal mastery brought the evening to a perfect close with what I believe is her finest composition, “Until My Last Breath.” She left the stage with a heartfelt promise to return, having clearly forged a warm and special bond with her audience.
It’s safe to say no one left the club without calling the performance unforgettable. Every moment on stage justified not only the collaboration between these two legends, but also the promoters who put their faith in them.
Setlist: Demons In You, Falling Away, Undertaker, I Feel Immortal, Oasis, Shadow Play, Dead To The World, Dark Star, Dead Promises, Planet Hell, I Walk Alone, Victim Of Ritual, Wish I Had An Angel, Until My Last Breath
Dimitris Kazantzis
video: Maria Kiloukiotou
