Iced Earth the band who has paid tribute to Greece by releasing the triple live album and by having visited our country already 3 times is once more present. Personally I couldn’t buy a Saturday ticket because it was sold out long time ago, albeit even on Friday the Hall was almost full. “Iced Earth” had to play in a “Hot and Explosive Earth” named Athens that would melt them.

The concert consisted of 3 parts. It started at about 8 with Iced Earth followed by Pure Evil. The audience was frantic screaming from the depths of their hearts. Even the remotest attendees were headbanging. The band was dressed in blue jeans except from the bassist who was half-naked showing his huge tattoo and what a tattoo!

Jon Schaffer played a game with the audience. He split it in two halves; the first one shouted “Fuck Trends” the second “Fuck Posers” and both “Fuck You”. While many times during the show he and Barlow talked about False and True Metal. Come on guys don’t become the second metal patrons like Manowar. Do your task -and you can do it pretty fine - and leave posers rust in peace.

The set was based on the first albums tracks and lasted for about one hour. The hungry audience called for more. They returned in a few minutes and ... surprise in an ancient Egyptian background, leather dressed, and begun with Burning Times among fire spurts. The set was based on and around the Dark Saga. The two guitarists were spitting incandescent metal solos, Barlow was threshing along the stage and the audience paralyzed. A very dynamic performance indeed which exhausted me totally and made me go to the seats to attend the 3rd part in peace. During the break while the audience was shouting eagerly the technicians (from above I could see almost everything) did their best moving around in panic. Iced Earth began the 3rd part dressed in cloaks surrounded by a Horror Show background. They played dynamically tracks from the latest releases, no doubt about it, although not of my liking. Distinct moment the cover Transylvania which launched the enthousiasm far away from this Earth! Then they played a couple of songs and finished raising a Greek flag in a panic atmosphere. The show was over but the audience asked for more so they returned with My Own Saviour.

Total playing time 3 hours!!! One (including me) could reprove them for luck of inspiration and enthousiasm at the latest releases. However with such a show they respected their fans who despite the general financial depression paid their tribute (cost 25E) to the band. The sound could have been better because the guitars were partially buried in favour of the drums. Hence in general one thing is certain we love them and they love us! And for the shake of this mutual relation they should refresh themselves in the early days Ice.

Playlist
1st Set : Iced Earth - Pure Evil - Brainwashed - Angels Holocaust - Stormrider - The Path I Choose - Curse The Sky - Travel In Stygian
2nd Set : Burning Times - Vengeance Is Mine - Stand Alone - The Hunter - Watching Over Me - Scarred - Slave To The Dark - A Question Of Heaven - 1776 - I Died For You - Prophecy - Birth Of the Wicked - The Coming Curse
3rd Set : Wolf - Damien - Jekyll & Hide - Transylvania (Iron Maiden cover) - Jack - Frankenstein - Dracula Encore: My Own Savior

Many thanx to my friend Panayiotis Panousopoulos for having scanned the photos and to my course mate Thanos Stelakis for having found the exact playlist !