How do you even begin to write a report on Up The Hammers? This has always been a challenge for me. You see, UTH is more than just a festival—it’s a celebration of traditional heavy metal and beyond. Manolis and his team have elevated this festival to its peak. Not only do we get to witness legendary acts, not only do we see bands that we’d dream to catch in Greece, but something even more incredible happens: we get to experience bands in their prime, still at the very start of their careers! It’s a gathering that unites music fans from across the world. I wonder how many other festivals in Greece achieve this?
And so, Friday arrived, marking the start of the festival. Like the warm-up event, the first day was completely sold out, with the second nearly getting there. We secured an early spot in the balcony alongside the “senate” to document what was to come.
The first band on stage was White Magician, a group featuring members we would also see performing with Demon Bitch the following day. Hailing from Michigan, they were certainly an interesting choice to open the festival. Personally, I expected something more classic to kick things off, but they did a solid job warming up the crowd with their quirky hard & heavy style. Within their set time, they presented tracks from their EP and debut album.
Next up was last year’s breakout band from Canada, Noor. “Mother’s Guilty Pleasure Part 1” earned a spot on many year-end lists in 2024, and rightfully so. Their guitar-driven power metal is still quite raw, and that energy translated directly onto the stage. Their performance was a highlight, and a particularly memorable moment came when vocalist/guitarist Thomas Karam remarked, “Until last year, we had seven fans, and our parents were the only ones who knew us. Now here we are—how did you discover us?” It was a strong showing from a band I definitely want to see again in the future.
Then came a blast from the past with Swiss band Amethyst. Their sound and image transported us straight back to the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, capturing the glory days of that era. Last year, they released their impressive debut album, Throw Down The Gauntlet, and they confidently delivered tracks from both that and their EP. Their warm, vintage sound provided a welcome change of pace after Noor’s intensity. Charismatic and engaging, Amethyst delivered a fun, nostalgic performance, making them another band I’d love to see again soon.
Attic followed, much to the delight of King Diamond fans. The German band has been paying homage to the King for fifteen years now, staying true to his aesthetic and sound while maintaining their own identity. They successfully brought the mystical atmosphere of their albums to the stage, mesmerizing the crowd. Their frontman, Meister Cagliostro, delivered a theatrical and captivating performance, truly embodying the spirit of the music.
For me, the revelation of the first day was Bütcher. Their ferocious black-speed metal turned heads and shook the venue. Even if their style wasn’t your usual preference, their sheer energy was impossible to ignore. Their towering vocalist commanded the stage, while the band split their set evenly across their three albums, earning thunderous applause.
Ereb Altor was perhaps the most distinct band of the night. The Swedish group, who replaced Crypt Sermon relatively late in the festival lineup, have a long and respected history. Personally, I prefer their early works, though I admire their decision to sing in their native language. Their epic doom metal significantly changed the festival’s pace, bringing a darker, more atmospheric mood. Onstage, they were seasoned professionals, with bassist Bjorn standing out as a particularly charismatic presence. Their set provided a refreshing change, and I thoroughly enjoyed their material.
Then it was time for the first day’s headliners—Crimson Glory. With a new album reportedly on the way soon and a fantastic frontman in Travis Wills, I was eager to see them again. Their previous performance in Greece years ago with Todd La Torre was outstanding, and they did not disappoint this time either. Their setlist drew from their two classic albums, with the added bonus of two new compositions. Personally, I would have loved to hear a track from Astronomica, but we can’t have everything.
As expected, the crowd went absolutely wild. These albums have been ingrained in our souls for years, and the audience’s passion often drowned out the band itself. If that’s not a display of love, I don’t know what is. Wills delivered an excellent performance, tackling an incredibly demanding vocal role with confidence. The rest of the band matched his energy, clearly feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm. Their gratitude was evident, and they reciprocated the audience’s love at every opportunity.
And just like that, the first day of Up The Hammers came to an end. We packed up, regrouped, and braced ourselves for day two.
Michael Ntalakos
