Last Updated on 09:43 PM by Giorgos Tsekas

So, I was asked to write a report about a small tour I’ve had; a tour with a band that has been the cornerstone of what you do… What can i write? How to write it… I shall begin, but I really don’t know where it’ll lead to.

I remember my hands shaking… That moment when we announced what would follow is something I’ll never forget. Not because it would be “yet another tour”, but because I knew that this tour would be something special. Coroner don’t tour oftenly; well, the don’t tour at all… Coroner are one of our main influences. Coroner… are… CORONER!

The preparation started almost three months ago, with repeated communications with the management who undertook the organization, with rehearsals in which we controlled every detail, a preparation that perhaps was similar to the upcoming album recordings. So, February 5^th had come and we made an appointment to the airport.

February 5, Rome

With half a truck of things at hand -when you go on tour what you carry is heavier you’re your own self – we patiently waited at the point of appointment. The two promoters who would take us, the driver and the tour manager, sent us a message “Guys we will be late, please be patient… “Always, in such cases, insecurity hits high levels. After 2 whole hours we saw Andreas come running towards us. “We have a small issue with the backline, we have to carry some things with us throughout the tour…”. “Well, it’s ok!” we said… Until we saw the car we would use. A small van with 7 seats in which besides us four, we should make room for the driver, the tour manager and our things (naturally), three heads and possibly cabins… “Well, let’s take you to your hotel first and then we’ll see how we’ll make it work.”.

The surprise in the nice hostel we were put laid on the fact that it belonged to Alessio Bandiera, owner of the Italian Decadance Records, known company in the Electro sound. We had two hours of rest before the soundcheck, which eventually became many more… Why? The final agreement about the way we would follow and the equipment we had to carry along. So we arrived at Traffic Club of Rome at 7 o’clock; a very nice and large venue, which unfortunately had no backstage space. A little further back, in the bar, the Coroner, had just finished with their soundcheck. They remembered us from that time in 2011 when we played together in Athens.

The discussions with the sound engineer and stage manager were rather expected… “Guys, sorry for the delay, there is no time for soundcheck. Just a 15-minute line check before you go.” Neither our first nor last time – usually this 15-minute line check works well! This case results were similar. After the Italians Contagio and Taste Of Fear, it was our turn! 45 minutes flew instantly. The crowd has already warmed up by the previous two bands, so it didn’t take long to accept us. The cry “Welcome!” from an Italian gang rather riveted us almost from the second song, to respond as we should… Grazie Roma!!!

February 6, Brescia

The rest hours after the Rome gig were rather nonexistent… With a van loaded up to the roof, we started driving to the second city, Brescia. We travelled for five hours. The talk with Andrea and our driver, Alberto, made us understand that we will have a few problems later on, especially in Brescia, where we would play in a really good venue. The truth is that the Circolo Colony club left us… speechless; a HUGE venue with a capacity of 1000+ people, completely flat. “How the hell would this entire venue fill we people?” we wondered. “Guys, you’ll have to do a line check here as well, because we delayed with the stage set-up.”. That was the first information we got by the sound engineers. “No problem!” we said. The first Italian band that would play was already up and was preparing to go out. With 5 bands in total everything had to start faster.

With the small talk we had with the sound engineer of Coroner, we learnt a lot of stuff. He is Austrian, with his own label. He knew the owner of our previous labels and some different information about the label’s failure and closure. This world ain’t that big after all. Among others, he told us he saw us perform the previous night in Rome and was fascinated by our performance. He asked us if he could intervene with our sound while we would be on stage. Without second thoughts, we agreed.

Our excitement was even greater when people constantly came to us to know us better, holding all our previous albums. Many of them told us they had been waiting us for years! This was evident during our set as well,  when they sung along in most of our older tracks… Perfect sound, excellent treatment by the crew… As for their headliners, Coroner… Words are simply unnecessary. The word PROFESSIONALISM acquires new value! Not that the local bands were lacking something. Objectively, wherever we played, all the bands did their best!

February 7, Livorno

“Load everything from the top”. The morning after we had – fortunately – a hearty breakfast along with Andrea and Alberto. Then we hit the road to Livorno. Three hours of travelling. Everything seemed more relaxed this time. Arriving in the city and having enough time available to ourselves, we thought we could go sightseeing. You don’t get to see the Leaning Tower everyday! “Today, children, there is time for everything! Soundcheck at 7!”. This gave us a little more security. Arriving at The Cage Club we saw a really beautiful venue, where everything was adjusted on time. Coroner were totally relaxed, cheerful and affable with everyone, something that struck us from day one. Before anything else, and since we were all gathered, something incredible happened. Out of nowhere, the guys from the venue brought out some tables and loads of food. And we were all together. Promoters, headliner, supports, sound engineers, everyone. Some were drinking a wee bit more wine thatn they should, but aw well!

After Sofisticator, a great band from Livorno, our turn had come. With a 45minute set, everything was good. The only bad moment in all this was the fact that the sound engineer, instead of raising the volume of the vocals, he raised the sound volume of the guitars, having as a result us not hearing anything. However, the outcome was more than good!

The absolute surprise came later, in the backstage. Shortly before Coroner were going to hit the stage and while we were struggling to collect our equipment, Ron Royce came by… “Guys, sorry… Am i bothering you? … If you aren’t in a hurry and if you wish it, come to our dressing room for a drink”. Our feelings were indescribable.

Some things cannot be forgotten … No way!

– 25 degrees during the day, -2 at night in Rome and we are trying to change into a van after the set… Pneumonia was just around the corner!

– The Merchandiser of Coroner since day 2 was promoting our merch as well saying “you should check these guys, man!”

– Martin, the sound engineer of Coroner who raided John’s sweets (man, I’m addicted to all these!)

– The incredible performance of Coroner and the incredible volume of their sound

– Costas’ bloody drum at the final night.

– And the most important: the complete lack of any showoff from Coroner to the point of embarrassment. Simple, affable, friendly and mainly PROFESSIONALS.

We owe a huge “Thank you” to Fortune reserving us this opportunity! A huge “Thanks” to all who and to a country that embraced us warmly.

Grazie Italia!

Sincerely

Beteinis Savas.