The third and final day of the Golden R Festival found the crowd still trying to recover from the relentless intensity of the previous evening. Nevertheless, Sunday’s lineup left no room for taking it easy, featuring some of the biggest names of the entire festival.
Attendance during the early afternoon was understandably modest after the previous night’s marathon. However, hometown act ENOLA GRAVE made the most of the opportunity. Delivering their material with confidence and energy, the Volos-based band proved they deserved their place on the bill. From this brief showcase, it was evident that CRIMSON GLORY are among their influences, making this festival appearance an unforgettable milestone in their young career. With three singles released so far and a debut full-length album on the horizon, a clearer picture of their potential will soon emerge.
Setlist
- Spider’s Affection
- Exit from a Dream
- Live Another Day
- Killing Moon
- Menace from the Sky
Anyone familiar with the Greek underground scene knows LLOTH and the story behind them. The band’s legacy remains inseparably linked to the spirit of the late Tristessa and ASTARTE, and in recent years they have continued to honor her memory through sincere and uncompromising black metal. Although performing in broad daylight wasn’t ideal for their atmosphere, the black-clad musicians still managed to cast a darkness over the audience throughout their set. Their performance focused on the outstanding “Archees Legeones”, closing with the emotionally charged “Athanati.” Simple, powerful, and completely authentic.
Setlist
- Angel Wings
- Archees Legeones
- Dark Mountain
- Acherontas
- Mother
- Arise
- Athanati
Words almost fail when it comes to the next act, Sweden’s BAI BANG. I’d genuinely love to know the story behind how they landed on this festival bill, although a quick look online revealed they’re also sharing another festival lineup with RAGE and TRI STATE CORNER, so perhaps the explanation lies with a common booking agent. Glam rock straight out of the ’80s, dressed entirely in white, plenty of hairspray, flawless tans, endless smiles and an infectious party spirit—BAI BANG transformed the venue into a carefree rock celebration. Their set naturally featured plenty of songs from “Livin’ My Dream,” while their cover of ABBA’s “Rock Me” was one of the afternoon’s most entertaining surprises.
Setlist
- Everybody Everywhere
- Gonna Make It
- Rock ‘n’ Roll All Night
- Sha Na Na Na
- Come On
- Livin’ My Dream
- I Love the Things You Hate
- Rock Me (ABBA cover)
- We’re United
Bob Katsionis is one of those musicians who hardly needs an introduction. Renowned for his creativity, boundless energy and unique sense of humor, he delivered one of the festival’s most original performances. His instrumental set was a joyful musical rollercoaster, blending iconic film and television themes with progressive arrangements and unexpected mashups. From Star Wars, Blade Runner, Knight Rider, and ThunderCats to the brilliantly bizarre medley combining Giannis Spanos with IRON MAIDEN, every minute offered something unexpected. It was one of those performances the audience didn’t know it needed—until it happened.
Setlist
- The Imperial March / Darth Vader’s Theme
- Blade Runner Theme
- Knight Rider Theme
- The Nightrager
- Phrygian Medley
- Annabel (Ένα Πρωϊνό)
- Rendez-vous in the Sky
- Σαν Με Κοιτάς / Caught Somewhere in Time / Heaven Can Wait / Alexander the Great (Giannis Spanos & IRON MAIDEN medley)
- ThunderCats Opening Theme
From one icon of the Greek metal scene to another, Marios Iliopoulos took the stage with NIGHTRAGE. One of Greece’s most respected and dedicated musicians, Iliopoulos has spent decades building the band’s legacy and continues to push it forward with renewed determination. Alongside Fotis Benardo, Kostas Alvanos, and the charismatic Konstantinos Togas, NIGHTRAGE delivered one of the strongest performances of the weekend.
A pleasant surprise was the heavy emphasis on the classic “Descent Into Chaos” album, perhaps also serving as a tribute to former vocalist Tomas Lindberg. Togas once again proved himself one of the finest frontmen of his generation, transmitting his passion effortlessly to the audience, with several wall-of-death moments erupting throughout the set. The appearance of Spyros from EXILIUM NOCTIS during “The Tremor” provided a fitting finale to an outstanding performance.
Setlist
- Being Nothing
- Euphoria Within Chaos
- A Throne of Melancholy
- Elusive Emotion
- Affliction
- Scathing
- Phantasma
- Frozen
- Nauseating Oblivion
- Descent Into Chaos
- The Tremor
The stature of CRIMSON GLORY within the power metal world needs little explanation. Their first two albums remain genre-defining classics, while the late Midnight is still regarded as one of heavy metal’s greatest vocalists.
Now fronted by Travis Wills, the band continues to honor its remarkable legacy while embracing a new chapter. Their set leaned heavily on “Crimson Glory” and “Transcendence,” with “Pearls of Dust” serving as the only glimpse of their latest album, “Chasing the Hydra.” Wills delivered a superb vocal performance, nostalgia filled the air, and despite drummer Dana Burnell’s absence, the band performed with complete professionalism. It was a set that left nobody disappointed.
Setlist
- Where Dragons Rule
- Valhalla
- Dragon Lady
- Lady of Winter
- Painted Skies
- Pearls of Dust
- Masque of the Red Death
- Queen of the Masquerade
- Azrael
- Lost Reflection
- Lonely
- Red Sharks
The curtain fell on this year’s Golden R Festival in the most fitting way possible—with the legendary VENOM, or more accurately, the Mantas and Abaddon version of the band, joined by an impressive list of special guests.
Sakis Tolis appeared on “Welcome to Hell” and “Black Metal,” Efthymis Karadimas joined for “One Thousand Days in Sodom,” Diva Satanica (BLOODHUNTER, former NERVOSA) performed “The Seven Gates of Hell,” while David Vincent took over much of the second half of the show. Only Cronos was missing—but everyone knows that reunion isn’t happening any time soon.
His place behind the microphone was taken by the 22-year-old Bulldozer Arenvurst, who handled the impossible task remarkably well despite being born even after many in the audience had celebrated Greece’s EURO 2004 triumph.
The undeniable highlight came during “In League With Satan,” when all guest performers shared the stage together, before “Bloodlust” brought both the set and the festival to a thunderous conclusion, with exhausted but smiling fans embracing one another as the final notes faded.
Setlist
- Witching Hour
- Die Hard
- Welcome to Hell (feat. Sakis Tolis)
- Live Like an Angel (feat. Sakis Tolis)
- Schizo
- The Seven Gates of Hell (feat. Diva Satanica)
- Angel Dust
- One Thousand Days in Sodom (feat. Efthymis Karadimas)
- The Evil One
- Rip Ride (feat. David Vincent)
- Buried Alive (feat. David Vincent)
- Don’t Burn the Witch (feat. David Vincent)
- Countless Bathory (feat. David Vincent & Diva Satanica)
- Black Metal (feat. Sakis Tolis & Diva Satanica)
- In League With Satan (feat. Sakis Tolis, David Vincent, Diva Satanica & Efthymis Karadimas)
- Bloodlust
Overall, the 2026 edition of the Golden R Festival was widely regarded as the strongest in the event’s history, both in terms of attendance and artistic quality. The lineup successfully covered every corner of the metal spectrum, from the most extreme sounds to melodic heavy metal, while maintaining an excellent balance between international and Greek acts. It was also encouraging to see the thriving Volos metal scene so well represented.
From an organizational standpoint, the festival earned high marks. Minor issues—such as the poor lighting around the restroom area and the somewhat cumbersome app-based food and drink purchasing system—did little to affect the overall experience. The festival staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful, while the atmosphere remained warm and welcoming throughout the weekend.
The countdown to Golden R Festival 2027 has already begun. Early-bird tickets are already available, and the first lineup announcements are eagerly awaited.
One thing is certain: we’ll be back.
Until next year… stay heavy!
Live Correspondent, Videos: Napoleon Gkouvis
Photos: Sofia Bali
Text edit: Kostas Boudoukos
