Friday proved to be the perfect day for a festival, a fact clearly reflected in the significantly larger attendance compared to the festival’s opening day.
The evening’s program began in the most imposing way, as GROTESCO KARMA, the artistic creation of George Kratsas, delivered an atmospheric and almost ritualistic performance. The band impressed not only musically but also visually, with a carefully crafted stage setup featuring candelabras with lit candles and totems crowned with skulls, creating an eerie and otherworldly aesthetic. Their complex and multilayered compositions, familiar to anyone following their work, required the use of backing tracks in order to fully recreate their sound on stage. I would even assume that the reason GROTESCO KARMA opened the night was precisely because of the extensive props they brought along, which demanded a lengthy setup process. Their set was mainly based on last year’s outstanding album “Devil’s Menuet”, while also introducing new material from their upcoming release. Truly unique.
Setlist
- Mnesthete
- Icon of a Forgotten God
- Dance Macabre
- Theatrical God
- Anosiourgema
- Apparatus of Delirium
- Gesthemane
- Devil’s Menuet
Next up were ILLUSIVE MIRRORS, raising the energy levels with more groove, stronger rhythm, and a far more extroverted stage presence. It was my first time seeing them live, and what stood out most was how genuinely Dimitra Koenka, their frontwoman, seems to enjoy herself on stage, living her dream with sincerity and passion. The band performed their entire EP “Illusive Mirrors” while also treating the audience to two surprises: a brand-new track titled “Phoenix Rising” and a cover of the iconic “Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence. Choosing to perform such a song is always a challenge, given the legendary interpretation by Amy Lee, but Koenka handled it with dignity and confidence, earning warm applause from the crowd.
Setlist
- Intro
- Over and Over Again
- World of Destruction
- Insanity
- Escape From The Fear
- Silent Scream
- Bring Me To Life (Evanescence cover)
- Phoenix Rising
- Save a Bullet
A little after 10 p.m., it was time for the Swedish SHATTERHEART, featuring the outstanding Aliki Kostopoulou on vocals. I had no prior knowledge of the band before seeing them on the stage of Temple Athens, and the impression they gave was that of a band carrying years of experience. However, after looking into them further, I discovered they have been around for less than two years and only released their debut full-length album, “Infernal Symphony”, last year, which naturally formed the backbone of their set. Since Aliki was performing on home ground, she naturally became the focal point of attention, both musically and in her interaction with the audience. Their music moved clearly within the paths of symphonic metal, balancing effectively between the symphonic and the heavier metal elements. Powerful riffs, relentless drumming, and Kostopoulou’s flawless vocal performance created a compelling mix that won over the audience. Their appearance left strong impressions and the feeling that this is a band worth seeing again in Greece, although the financial and logistical challenges for a Scandinavian band without a large fanbase can often be a major obstacle.
Setlist
- Afterlife
- No Rest
- The Ghost Remains
- Betrayal
- Nightchild
- Raging Storm
- A Shattered Heart
- Ground Turns to Dust
The curtain fell on the evening with NOMOS, who appeared with a significant lineup change, as Rachel Cassar has now taken over vocal duties from William Joestar. Changes in frontmen are always a crucial turning point for any band, especially when they involve a shift in vocal identity and style. However, Cassar adapted seamlessly to the material from the band’s debut album “The Great Unknown”, adding her own personal touch without altering its essence. Despite some technical issues, which were mentioned after the show by the band’s founder George Papathanasiou, the overall live experience remained unaffected. The album itself tells the story of a hero facing his inner demons, and this concept is visually represented on stage by Papathanasiou, who traditionally appears at the beginning of each show wearing his signature white, expressionless mask. As the set progressed, the story unfolded, building up to a theatrical and fitting finale for the night.
Setlist
- Ghost of Tomorrow
- The Great Unknown
- Wiseman
- My Goth Queen
- Sorrowful Clown
- Worms
- Break the Mirror
- Identified
With the conclusion of NOMOS’ performance, the second day of the festival came to an end—undoubtedly a more successful day in terms of attendance, further confirming both the festival’s momentum and the audience’s strong interest in the event.
Live Correspondent: Kostas Boudoukos
Photos: Sofia Bali
Videos: Kostas Boudoukos, Napoleon Gouvis
