We often wonder how artists who began their careers more than 40 years ago can still inspire the same level of excitement among their audiences. The answer was delivered by the incomparable Doro Pesch on the stage of Fuzz, during one of her rare appearances in Greece. Doro combines an almost inexhaustible, youthful enthusiasm with absolute professionalism, outstanding communication skills, and, of course, immense talent and a truly powerful voice that leaves a lasting impression.
Opening the show were our very own OBSCURUS REX, who are already gearing up for the release of their first full-length album, entitled “…et homo factus est”, scheduled for December. We have already had a taste of what is to come through the single “Apex Predator,” while their performance on Friday confirmed our suspicions: we are dealing with an absolute powerhouse of an album.
The opportunity to open for Doro was undoubtedly a unique one, and OBSCURUS REX made the most of it. A major factor was how perfectly their music fitted the atmosphere of the evening, evoking the golden era of the ’80s and preparing the audience ideally for what was to follow. Manos Xanthakis was outstanding on vocals, while the band as a whole sounded tight and cohesive. After all, we are talking about experienced musicians who know their craft inside out.
That said, their stage presence was somewhat restricted by the fact that they had to remain exclusively at the front of the stage. This limited their movements and prevented them from unleashing the full intensity and energy their material demands. We are therefore looking forward to the official album presentation, where the conditions will hopefully allow the band to develop their stage presence and dynamics even further.
Setlist
- IT
- Apex Predator
- Dance of the Lesser Demons
- Space Age
- Seeds
- 4Justice
Shortly after 9:30 p.m., following a brief announcement, the stage was taken over by the imposing presence of Doro and her band. As expected, the setlist was devoted primarily to the relatively brief but remarkably creative era of WARLOCK. From the opening “I Rule the Ruins” to “Earthshaker Rock,” which brought the show to a close, one anthem followed another, and the audience went wild.
It is difficult to single out specific moments from such a packed performance. If I had to choose, however, I would highlight “Burning the Witches,” with the crowd joining in enthusiastically; “East Meets West,” during which Doro raised a large Greek flag; and “Hellbound,” which followed a particularly technical drum solo by Johnny Dee, the drummer who has been accompanying her since 1993.
Her solo career was represented by the anthemic “Raise Your Fist in the Air,” while we also had the opportunity to hear her new single, “Rock You 2 Death,” which will be included on her forthcoming album.
One of the defining aspects of Doro’s career has been her collaborations with legendary figures in the metal scene, such as Rob Halford and Udo Dirkschneider. In a tribute to this side of her musical journey, she treated us to a distinctive cover of JUDAS PRIEST’s “Breaking the Law,” effortlessly sending the packed Fuzz into a frenzy.
The audience, in turn, returned her affection in full force, with enthusiastic reactions, powerful sing-alongs, and football-terrace-style chants of “Doro, Doro.” The evening also featured some particularly touching moments, as the singer received a gift onstage: a framed photograph and a bouquet of flowers. It was a spontaneous expression of the audience’s genuine love for her, which Doro reciprocates with the same purity, innocence, and sincere enthusiasm that have defined her for decades.
Setlist
- I Rule the Ruins
- Burning the Witches
- Fight for Rock
- Metal Racer
- East Meets West
- Raise Your Fist in the Air
- Für Immer
- Three Minute Warning
- Rock You 2 Death
- Hellbound
- Revenge
- Breaking the Law (Judas Priest cover)
- All We Are
- True as Steel
- Evil
- Earthshaker Rock
Doro’s greatest achievement, however, is something we came to appreciate while talking with friends and acquaintances after the show. Everyone had a great time, enjoyed her performance, and recognised her worth, even if the particular style of Heavy Metal she represents is not among their favourite genres.
Perhaps this is ultimately one of the secrets behind the longevity of certain artists: their ability to transcend the boundaries of their genre, connect meaningfully with their audience, and convey their passion regardless of changing times and generations. And Doro proved once again that she possesses all these qualities.
P.S.1: To be honest, I would have loved two or three more songs. On the other hand, the show wrapped up at around 11 p.m., so those of us who are middle-aged and have jobs did not have to push our endurance too far!
P.S.2: The new law prohibiting minors from attending concerts in indoor venues, even when accompanied by an adult, is unacceptable and makes absolutely no sense. Those responsible really need to put pressure on the authorities to get it changed. I saw entire families outside Fuzz trying to sell all their tickets because they couldn’t possibly leave their child behind.
Correspondent: Kostas Boudoukos
Photos: Sofia Bali
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