April 25, 2026 is a date that will surely remain etched in the memory of the members of MISTY ROUTE as one of their most important headline performances to date, taking place in the context of presenting their second full-length album, “Ethos”. Joining them on this journey were HONEYBADGER and BLACK STONE MACHINE, creating a strong and well-matched line-up.

The night began shortly after 21:00 with the Southern metallers BLACK STONE MACHINE, who quickly forced us to break up the small talk outside Ilion Plus and take our places to witness the raw, honest, and angry energy they bring on stage. Their blend of heavy rock/metal and blues/country rock guarantees both moments of relentless headbanging and more melodic bridges. Alex on vocals was highly communicative and cool, while George’s guitar solos were particularly impressive. A special mention must go to the band’s drummer, Dimitris, who performed with a broken leg—something that was barely noticeable in his overall performance. Their setlist spanned their entire discography to date (4 EPs and 1 full-length album), confirming the strength they have built. All three bands were given ample time to deliver full set shows, essentially a sign of respect and camaraderie from MISTY ROUTE, who did not want to monopolize attention.

Setlist

1. Jaguar Fever
2. No Back Up Plan
3. Raging Bull
4. Crossroads
5. House of Lies
6. Rebel Utopia
7. Rickenbastard 4004
8. The Guild of Black
9. Rock Bottom
10. Black Stone Machine
11. Bounty Hunter

Next up were HONEYBADGER, bringing a different but equally powerful energy to the stage. With a more desert/heavy rock orientation and a noticeably groove-driven approach, the band proved the experience they have built over more than a decade on the scene. Their set was split between their two full-length albums, surprisingly giving slightly more weight to their debut “Pleasure Delayer” (2020) than to “Let There Be Light”, which had just turned six months old.

Setlist

1. The Joke is on Me
2. Through Hell
3. That Feel
4. Good For Nothing
5. Laura Palmer
6. Crazy Ride
7. The Wolf Intro
8. Hate
9. Panic Button
10. Filth And Disorder
11. The Green

Shortly after 23:00, it was time for the presentation of the excellent album “Ethos”. MISTY ROUTE took the stage in complete darkness, with their black-and-white logo dominating the video wall and lighting gradually building a nearly ritualistic atmosphere. As expected, the entire “Ethos” album was performed, along with songs from their first full-length record “Without A Trace”, bridging the band’s past with its present and future.

I was particularly eager to hear “Blind God” live, and it fully lived up to expectations, as a demanding and atmospheric track was delivered flawlessly on stage. Frontman Lefteris handled the communicative aspect of the show, often explaining the meaning behind each song, as MISTY ROUTE is a band with strong social concerns reflected in their lyrics. The trio of Lefteris Saatsakis (guitar and vocals) and Giorgos Konomi (bass), completed by Konstantinos Kaloudis on drums, is extremely tight both on and off stage, and they clearly enjoyed the performance themselves. The set closed with the band’s timeless hit “Sweet Revenge” from their debut album.

Setlist

1. Intro
2. Last Night’s Dream
3. Hail
4. Dictator
5. The Stage
6. Blind God
7. Born With A Price Tag
8. Faceless
9. No Destination
10. Compass
11. The Corridor
12. Freedom
13. Sweet Revenge

On a night when Athens hosted several metal shows, the turnout and audience response confirmed that MISTY ROUTE have built a solid and loyal core of fans. This, perhaps, is more valuable than any circumstantial sold-out show filled with casual attendees who simply “didn’t have anything better to do”.

Finally, we wish the band every success and once again encourage the audience to support the Greek metal scene, which continues to demonstrate talent, passion, and dedication.

Live Correspondent, Photos, Videos: Kostas Boudoukos