Another day at our favorite open air venue at Plateia Nerou arrived, this time featuring one of the strongest line-ups of this year’s Release Athens Festival. HELLOWEEN, SAXON and ASHES OF ARES promised a musical journey back to the glory days of heavy metal, when fans lived the scene with unmatched passion and the genre still possessed the raw, untamed beauty that made it legendary.
We all knew what to expect from the rejuvenated HELLOWEEN and the ever-reliable SAXON. What nobody anticipated (ok, I am exaggerating), however, was the unforgettable performance delivered by the opening act. I honestly can’t remember seeing so many people inside the festival grounds so early in the day, despite one of the very few organizational missteps the festival has experienced over the years. The gates opened just fifteen minutes before the mighty Matt Barlow and his comrades were due to take the stage, leaving hundreds of fans waiting in a queue stretching several hundred meters. Thankfully, the weather was kind enough to provide some welcome relief from the summer heat.
As a result, many people unfortunately missed part of ASHES OF ARES’ set—something of a shame, considering the outstanding performance they delivered. For the past thirteen years, Matt Barlow and Freddie Vidales have successfully followed two parallel artistic paths. On one hand, they continue to build their own catalog, already boasting four full-length albums and an EP. On the other, they serve as a living reminder of the legacy of the legendary ICED EARTH.
Their set was naturally split between original material and classics from their former band, with the biggest reaction reserved for a mini tribute to “The Dark Saga.” “Dark Saga” lit the fuse, “I Died For You” filled the venue with emotion, and “Violate” triggered an explosion of excitement.
Matt Barlow once again proved why he remains one of the finest vocalists American heavy metal has ever produced. Despite recurring sound issues that occasionally buried his vocals, he never stopped owning the stage, while the audience repeatedly chanted “Barlow! Barlow!” Freddie Vidales was the perfect partner throughout the performance, and the crowd’s reaction felt more appropriate for a headliner than an opening act. I’m convinced that quite a few people bought tickets primarily to see ASHES OF ARES, and considering the consecutive sold-out shows they played in Athens and Thessaloniki during the fall of 2025, that assumption doesn’t seem far-fetched. The only real disappointment was the set’s duration, which barely reached 45 minutes.
Setlist
- New Messiahs
- Wake of Vultures
- Dark Saga (ICED EARTH cover)
- I Died For You (ICED EARTH cover)
- Violate (ICED EARTH cover)
- Vengeance Is Mine (ICED EARTH cover)
- The Iron Throne
- Burning Times (ICED EARTH cover)
- The One-Eyed King
Watching SAXON perform more than fifty years after their formation inevitably makes you wonder how much poorer the heavy metal world will become once these legendary bands finally decide to retire—hopefully not within the next five years, although that day is approaching.
Another thought that crossed my mind was how remarkable it is to see a 75-year-old frontman, who only recently battled cancer, still delivering such energy on stage. Naturally, Biff Byford is more restrained than he once was, and his voice no longer possesses the same power it did decades ago. The sound issues that affected the first part of the set certainly didn’t help either. But honestly… who cares?
Even the title track from their latest album, “Hell, Fire and Damnation,” received a warm reception before enthusiasm turned into a full-blown frenzy during classics such as “Power and the Glory,” “Motorcycle Man,” “Denim and Leather,” and “Crusader.”
Roughly an hour into the performance, the opening notes of “Princess of the Night” signaled the end of yet another memorable SAXON appearance in Greece. The promise of a return next year—complete with a brand-new album—was more than enough to send everyone home happy.
Setlist
- Hell, Fire and Damnation
- Power and the Glory
- Dogs of War
- Motorcycle Man
- Heavy Metal Thunder
- Dallas 1 PM
- Strong Arm of the Law
- And the Bands Played On
- Denim and Leather
- Wheels of Steel
- Crusader
- Princess of the Night
Well, not home really, since after a 45-minute break, at exactly 9:15 PM—which already suggested a set exceeding two hours—the massive curtain covering the stage finally dropped, and HELLOWEENmade their entrance to Robbie Williams’ “Let Me Entertain You.” And entertain us they certainly did for well over two hours.
They wasted no time leaving jaws on the floor, opening with “March of Time” from the second “Keeper of the Seven Keys” album. The setlist naturally revolved around the celebrated “Keeper…” trilogy while also giving proper attention to their latest album, “Giants & Monsters,” alongside carefully selected songs spanning different eras of their career.
Among the evening’s highlights were the imposing appearance of the digital “Keeper”, the beautiful acoustic performance of “In the Middle of a Heartbeat” and “A Tale That Wasn’t Right” by Michael Kiske and Andy Deris, seated at the front of the stage before the latter exploded into its full-band arrangement, Dani Löble’s relentless drum solo, and countless sing-along moments shared with the audience.
Andy Deris, Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen constantly traded vocal duties, joked with each other and the crowd, and repeatedly showcased the incredible guitar talent within the band, all while looking like they were genuinely enjoying every second on stage.
Picking standout moments from a performance of this caliber is nearly impossible. Even the brand-new “This Is Tokyo” was greeted enthusiastically. Nevertheless, the almost fifteen-minute epic “The King for a 1000 Years,””We Burn”—accompanied by spectacular flames—the timeless anthem “I Want Out,” and the monumental “Halloween,” which closed the main set, undoubtedly ranked among the evening’s finest moments.
Hardly anyone left their place before the encore, which rewarded the audience with four more classics that have become staples of every HELLOWEEN show: “Eagle Fly Free,” “Power,” “Dr. Stein,” and the final chorus of “Keeper of the Seven Keys.”
According to the band, approximately 11,000 metalheads packed Plateia Nerou to witness yet another historic night of timeless heavy metal. Although the sound improved considerably compared to the previous two performances, it still wasn’t one of Release Athens Festival’s strongest technical nights. Fortunately, the spectacular video wall, the additional side screens, and above all HELLOWEEN’s outstanding performance ensured that this minor flaw was quickly forgotten.
Setlist
- March of Time
- The King for a 1000 Years
- Future World
- This Is Tokyo
- We Burn
- Twilight of the Gods
- Ride the Sky
- Into the Sun
- Hey Lord!
- Universe (Gravity for Hearts)
- Hell Was Made in Heaven
- I Want Out
- In the Middle of a Heartbeat
- A Tale That Wasn’t Right
- A Little Is a Little Too Much
- Heavy Metal (Is the Law)
- Halloween
Encore
18. Eagle Fly Free
19. Power
20. Dr. Stein
21. Keeper of the Seven Keys (final chorus)
Our next appointment is set for July 25, when another stellar trio—SABATON, SAVATAGE and EPICA—will take over the Release Athens Festival stage. It will also mark the festival’s farewell to Plateia Nerou, as Release prepares to relocate for future editions, whether to Markopoulo, the Olympic Complex (OAKA), or elsewhere. And with that, the residents of Palaio Faliro will once again be able to enjoy peaceful summer nights in their outrageously overpriced seaside apartments overlooking the serene (not!) Athenian coastline.
Live Correspondent: Kostas Boudoukos
Photos: Official Release Athens Festival
