Decapitated, част 1 – 15 септември, Атина

Every friend of mine asked me: “Why you’re going to Athens, to see ‘em, when they have a date for Sofia too?” And my answer was: “First, because I wanna see how it’s going to be there and to compare with the one in Sofia, and second – because of their local bands, that is a dream for me to see live.”

In the afternoon of 14^th sept. (the day of Decapitated show in Sofia), I was on the bus station, waiting for my bus to Greece. While I was drinking my coffe, my phone rang – SMS, containing: “The concert in Sofia has been cancelled just now through problems on the Serbian border.” In this moment I said to myself: “Damn, am I a lucky to pick Athens show, or what!!!” Half an hour later I couldn’t stand and checked facebook to see if something new happens. I saw a new date – 17^th sept. Well, I felt double lucky – I was supposed to be back in Sofia on 17^th morning!

The fans

After exhausting trip of 11 hours, on 15^th morning I was already in Athens. All morning walks around the center, relax for 2-3 hours and it was time with some members of Mortal Torment and Necrorgasm to go to “AN club” for soundcheck. We arrived around 17h. Nordor were already on the stage, rehearsing. Necrorgasm needed few more time, because of their new bass player. Mortal Torment I even didn’t realize when they started with the soundcheck, when they were finished. 🙂

It was still too early when Decapitated came out of the rest room and jumped on the stage. While they were rehearsing, the merch girl was preparing the stand. The choice wasn’t so big, but the shirts were pretty cool. I got one model, that first got sold out!

Some beers, meeting with friends, walk on well-known “Exarheia” square, and it was time to get back in the club. The people who were out were just a few, and inside was already full! Yeah – from the beginning of the concert, 90% of the people were already inside, ready to support the greek bands!

photo: Rozalia Metalouditsa Spilios

First one was Necrorgasm. Pretty nice death metal. The guys had time only for 6 songs, but successfully warmed up the crowd. Half of the songs, “Pieces Of Her”, “Collection Of Headless Children” and “Faggot Killer”, were from their debut album “Blissfull Manslaughter”. All others – from their two demos. My favorite was the last song “Devour The Dead”! Beautiful headbang in front of the stage.

Nordor

10 minutes stop and Nordor came up. Strong men, with tattoos, long beards and hairs… Typical metalheads. Their style is classic death metal. Truthfully, from what I’ve heard in MySpace and YouTube, I didn’t like them much. But I was interested to hear them on stage. Well, they were really not bad, but definitely not my type. Pretty tight performance, no talk, no anything specific on the stage. Just playing their songs. To tell the truth, on their performance I was a bit distracted – getting power for the next band, so I am not sure if they played all songs of their setlist.

Giannis (Mortal Torment)

Mass destruction – so awaited from me Mortal Torment jumped on the stage!!! This band can’t be described by words what is doing on a live! The vocalist Giannis Nakos has the tradition to surprise the crowd every time. This time he was dressed with a medicine apron all in “blood” and the thematic Mortal Torment surgical mask on his face! A real butcher in his own beauty! They started with the well-known “Exhumed Tormentors”, so with the first sound started a crazy moshpit that catch me too for a while! More than 200 people in the club and no one were sitting quietly. I was totally surprised I didn’t see any security around the stage (or even in the whole club)! So there was no problem crazy fans to get on the stage next to the vocalist and make a stage-dive! Even in one moment he was in the air too. After the third song Giannis said some words in greek, if I am not wrong – he thanked to the great crowd. After that there was a message in english too. For my big surprise, it was for me. I thought my heart will explode from happiness and embarrassment!

After that short pause they continued will some more smashing songs. All of them from their debut album “Resuscitation”! For the end, the guys were prepared for us one cover – Dying Fetus – “Grotesque Impalement”! Believe it or not – it was almost 1:1 (You can watch a video HERE) No mercy – these guys caused us a real “mortal torment”!!! I went with the clear idea to watch THEM! I made it so I could quietly sit to drink beers and talk with friends, while Decapitated seemed to me pretty unimportant. I strongly recommend to every brutal death metal fan to hear Mortal Torment, and if has the opportunity – to see them live! Even Rafal (Decapitated’s vocalist) was surprised from this band.

Mortal Torment

Time to take some rest, beer and a some talks. The whole club was out of patience for Decapitated and maybe only I was sitting calmly out of the crowd. The polish guys came up on the stage by the sounds of “The Knife”. I was a bit worried about the new members – something is missing in the new album “Carnival Is Forever”. But after this explosion I changed my mind immediately – they will never get the places of Vitek and Covan on 100%, but doing their job pretty well. Continued with more “Carnival” songs, plus classics like “Day 69” and “Winds Of Creation”. We also honoured the memory of Vitek with screaming his name. (Rest in peace!)

Decapitated

The clock was ticking. It was like only a minute was left from the beginning to the moment when Rafal said this is going to be the last song. Of course – this was “Spheres Of Madness”. I was very excited to hear how he will sing the deep vocals of Sauron. Well, he did it very good! And not only with this song, but all of them. Same for the drummer Krimh – only 22 years old, but s real drum machine! And the bass player Konrad – he was a bit sick, but didn’t say even a word about canceling the show or something. What can I say about Vogg – the only original member of the band, a great guitarist!

Sofia-Athens – 11 hours, plus 11 more back. Some may say I am crazy – yes, I am, but it was definitely worthy and I would do it again, and again!

Here are the setlist of the three support bands. Unfortunately someone „stole“ Decapiated‘s one before me. (click on the picture for bigger resolution)

Mortal Torment/Necrorgasm/Nordor