IOTUNN may already count more than a decade of presence on the scene, yet their true breakthrough came emphatically in 2024 with their second album, “Kinship” — a record that rightfully ranked among the top releases of the year. Following their initial, introductory appearance at the Rockwave Festival in Katerini, their return to Greece signaled the need for a deeper and more substantial connection with the local audience, which has already shown a particular fondness for the band.
The evening was originally scheduled to open with KUKUNARI, but their appearance was ultimately canceled, leading to a last-minute change in schedule. Doors opened around 21:00 with a delay of approximately fifteen minutes. This caused a brief congestion at the merchandise stand, so I just moved to my favorite spot. By the time EXILE IN UTOPIA took the stage as the opening act, the venue had already filled to a significant extent.
EXILE IN UTOPIA presented material from their recent debut album “Entropy”, blending progressive foundations with strong metalcore elements. The band stood out for their stage energy and refreshing presence, with the vocalist’s brutal vocals being a clear highlight. Their journey — from participating in the Schoolwave to supporting an international act like IOTUNN — reflects their rapid development and, as their visibly excited frontman noted, the fulfillment of a dream. Equally noteworthy is their wide range of influences, spanning from Slipknot to Tina Turner and Dua Lipa, something clearly demonstrated through their metal cover of “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga. Their roughly 40-minute set left promising impressions for the future, showcasing a level of talent that has become characteristic of the new generation of musicians.
Setlist
- High Priestess
- Inner Thoughts
- Vanta
- Soaked
- Vertigo
- Bad Romance (Lady Gaga cover)
- Canyon
After about 40 minutes, EXILE IN UTOPIA thanked the audience and Piraeus Academy, and once again welcomed IOTUNN to Greece. The short intermission passed quickly, and around 21:45 the lights dimmed as the members of IOTUNN gradually took the stage, opening their set with “Twilight.” In total, they performed eight songs — six from the outstanding “Kinship” and two from their debut “Access All Worlds”, including the nearly 15-minute epic “Safe Across The Endless Night” and my favorite “The Tower Of Cosmic Nihility.”
If one wonders how just eight songs resulted in a 90-minute set, the answer lies in one of IOTUNN’s defining traits: their ability to craft long-form compositions that never feel repetitive or tiresome. Constant shifts in tempo and dynamics, the interplay between clean and harsh vocals by Jon Aldara, and the fusion of multiple stylistic elements within a single track transform their songs into fully developed musical narratives. A prime example is “Kinship Elegiac,” which encapsulates the band’s progressive and death metal identity under a melodic framework. The biggest crowd reactions, however, came during “Earth To Sky” and “I Feel The Night,” both performed with enthusiastic audience participation.
Setlist:
- Twilight
- Mistland
- Kinship Elegiac
- Earth To Sky
- I Feel The Night
- Safe Across The Endless Night
- The Tower Of Cosmic Nihility
- The Anguished Ethereal
IOTUNN confirmed their status as one of the most promising bands in the modern metal scene, especially if they maintain the momentum of high-quality releases — both artistically and commercially — established by their first two albums, particularly “Kinship.” It seems likely that their next visit to Greece will require a larger venue.
Notably, after the show, the band members stepped down to meet the audience, engaging in conversations and taking photos — a gesture that highlighted their genuine connection with fans and was clearly appreciated by everybody.
Live Correspondent – Photos – Videos: Kostas Boudoukos
