The truth is that we don’t get the chance to see such great packages in Greece that often so we could not miss something so big. The concert went through a lot because Sabaton had to leave their tour bus and the truck with their gear behind because they got stuck in a snowstorm somewhere near Belgrade. But the band took the first available flight to Thessaloniki and made it to the gig. Much respect for this. This was their second visit to our city but technically it was the first time they were coming as such a big force in power metal.
The party started exactly at 21:00 when Wisdom hit the stage. I have to admit that the Hungarians were a huge and pleasant surprise for me. With a very dynamic start, they needed only a few seconds to win the crowd. A crowd that from the beginning showed that it would be very enthusiastic and ready for a big night. I really try to remember a concert where the crowd was so great especially in a support and not that popular (until now) band but I can’t. Hell, they were better even from the crowd in the Helloween headlining concert just a few days ago! Wisdom played some very good songs, and they had great vocals. The band seems to be very bonded which gives them a certain ease on the stage. Their performance was a performance of a headliner and definitely not one of a support band. Gabor Nagy (vocals) had no problem at all guiding the crowd. A very pleasant surprise was their cover on Iron Maiden’s “Wasted Years”. After 35 minutes and 7 songs, Wisdom saluted us, leaving us with the best impressions. Let’s hope they will come back soon.
Setlist:
Fallin’ Away From Grace / Somewhere Alone / Live Forevermore / War Of Angels / Wasted Years (Iron Maiden cover) / Wisdom / Judas
Exactly at 22:00, Eluveite came on stage. The truth is that I was not very familiar with their music and definitely not their biggest fan. Having said that, I can say that I was completely blown away from what I saw. The next hour is quite hard to be described. A lot of energy, a band that gave an amazing performance and once more a crowd that didn’t stop singing and headbanging for a second. The band has a really good connection with Greece and every visit here is something big. Of course this happened this time as well. From the beginning it was clear that Eluveitie were ready to take us to another world, with more magic and more mysticism. I have written this many times. The Greeks and Celtic folk music have a very strong bond. Add the death aspect of Eluveitie and you have a great gig which made all the fans to talk with the best words about it. Of course Anna Murphy was missing but the guys did their best to fill her space and I may say that they did an excellent work.
Chigel Glanzmann is a great frontman and he had no problems at all “controlling” the crowd. He even asked a guy to start a circle pit and he promised to buy him a drink if he did it successfully.
The band had an hour and they gave us their best. We certainly want them back soon.
Setlist:
Helvetios / Luxtos / Thousandfold / Neverland / Santonian Shores / Home / Inis Mona / Divico / Meet The Enemy / The Uprising / Uxellodunon / Havoc / Tagernako
About 35 minutes later, and after all the necessary changes on set, the lights turned off and the war machine that has the name Sabaton appeared on stage. For the next 90 minutes approximately, the band took us to a journey on history from the wars in ancient Greece, to the battles of medieval times and to the War World II. And all this with such a force that we haven’t seen for a long time.
Of course the crowd was once more amazing singing and moshing even after the two previous bands. Joakim Broden and his buddies know exactly what it takes to make the people have fun. Who cares if just a few months ago the half of the band was replaced? The new lineup seems to fit perfectly and they had absolutely no problem on stage. They even called the people to vote on some of the songs they wanted to play.
There were some minor problems during the concert with Thobbe Englund’s guitar but they didn’t affect anything at all.
The band continued with its full force delivering epic power music in the best way. About 70 minutes after the beginning of the gig, Sabaton left the stage but only for a while. They could not leave before they play a certain song. A few moments later they return with the “The Art Of War” and right after that it was time for something that the crowd and the band has been waiting for years. To play/listen “Coat Of Arms” in Greece, the country that was the inspiration for this song. Broden came out with a huge Greek flag driving the fans crazy. As this was not enough, the next song was “Primo Victoria”. These 9-10 minutes during the two songs were the craziest of the whole night. I was expecting an enthusiastic crowd but nothing like this.
Unfortunately the band had time for one more song and this was none other than “Metal Crue”, a song that sums up the message, feeling and the connection of the band with their heroes and of course their fans.
An outstanding performance that proves hat in the end of the day you don’t need any special equipment, set etc to do what you do. It’s all about music and performances like this remind it to us. Let’s hope Sabaton won’t take another 4 years to return to Greece.
Setlist:
1. Ghost Division
2. Gott Mit Uns
3. Carolus Rex
4. Poltava
5. Cliffs Of Gallipoli
6. Attero Dominatus
7. 40:1
8. Karolinens Bon
9. Midway
10. The Lion From The North
11. Swedish Pagans
Encore:
12. The Art Of War
13. Coat Of Arms
14. Primo Victoria
15. Metal Crue
For Rockoverdose.gr
Apostolos Pantazoglou
Photo: Fotini Makridou
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