Ελληνικά
This spring is loaded with live gigs, one of which was the appearance of the legendary Flotsam and Jetsam in Larisa, as part of their Greek mini tour. These live shows from bands that marked the teenage years of those now being at their forties and all the younger metalheads are not to be missed, especially when one has never seen the band perform before. Let alone that the live package contained two promising local thrash bands as well, making this gig a pure thrash ordeal.
So, let’s get to it. After a brief delay, which really didn’t bother us because we had some time to talk to old friends, meet new ones and drink some beers, we entered the venue around 21:40. Soon the first band, Riffobia from Trikala, appeared on stage. Riffobia, for those of you who haven’t heard them, plays American thrash metal, fully aggressive, in terms of the edgy riffing, the violent, word-spitting vocals and the constantly fast drumming. Nice performance by the band, which managed to have excellent sound and execution performing songs from its (admittedly good) debut album “Laws Of Devastation”. If I’m allowed one small remark though, I’d like to point out that thrash is about fun and, the more the fun onstage, the more it spreads in the crowd. The lads seemed to me to be quite stiff and stressed out, while there was no apparent reason for that. Its thrash metal ffs, no one gives a shit if you miss a note…
Setlist
-The Ritual
-War Machine -The Martyr
–Total Decay
–Legions From Hell
–Murderer
-Laws Of Devastation
–Witching Hour (Venom)
–Under Pressure
–L.T.A.T.
Murder Angels hit the stage of Stage Club (this silly pun must have been done a million times before) through intense applause –they were playing in their hometown after all- at about ten thirty. I had seen the band a year ago in Paul Di Anno’s live act, still I didn’t realize that but the next day. How the fuck did that happen? Well, for one their pretty lame sound in that show, second the band’s rapid technical improvement and third the new singer in the band…add to that my raging dementia, there you have it! Well, we strayed a bit there. The group has made an internal substitution of their singer, as mentioned before. Tolis, their former bassist has now assumed singing duties. The band’s upgrade is obvious in my ears. Their philosophy has shifted as well. The band has left its former raw thrash style and has focused on melodic speed/thrash. With the crowd’s assistance the band managed to give a solid performance. Ample energy, good sound, cool and dynamic on stage. We will definitely be waiting for their album to be released, being convicted that it will stand out.
Setlist
-Resistance Is Futile
-Black Lightning
–Evil Spell
-Ways of Sin
-Bloodfields
-Wolfheart
-Bleed for the Godz (Agent Steel cover)
-Murder Angels
I feel quite oddly writing this report about Flotsam and Jetsam, as I grew up listening to their music. There was some kind of angst before the show… regarding the setlist, Eric Knutson’s (mainly) demanding performance, the duration of the show…stuff like that. Apparently there was nothing to worry about. The band seemed to be perfectly aware of what the crowd was yearning for, so it centered its setlist on the first two albums. Eric Knutson proved that he still possesses one hell of a voice, despite the natural ravaging of time -at his fifties- and he had the experience to get away with his distinctive highest notes. I am under the impression that, at times, the sound mix did not do him justice, since there were parts that one was striving to hear his voice. The veterans on the guitars Gilbert/Conley were plain and firm, unburdened they gave us a faultless performance, while at the same time the new (in the band) drummer was that skillful, that he managed to implement new plays that brought a fresh approach to the songs. The band played ninety minutes and I guess that no one left the venue unfulfilled. Plus, the band’s attitude after the show – they didn’t deny no picture, autograph etc… true gentlemen! Respect -that’s all I can say for Flotsam and Jetsam, who proved once again that truly big bands know the way to remain incorruptible.
Setlist
-No Place for Disgrace
-Desecrator
-She Took an Axe
-Suffer the Masses
-Gitty Up
-Dreams of Death
-Hammerhead
-Iron Tears
-I Live You Die
-Escape from Within
-Metal Shock
-Der Führer
-Smoked Out
-Hard on You
-Doomsday for the Deceiver
Closing, I’d like to give my kudos to Made Of Stone Productions and everyone else busting his ass off to make such events happen away from the capital cities. There is no logical excuse why the tickets for this show weren’t sold out. I guess we’ve bitched about that a thousand times, what else is there to do but….Support!!!
