Live Show: SepticFlesh
Place: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Athens, Greece 
Date: September 28^th, 2024
Live Correspondents: Vasiliki Kalogera, Kostas Boudoukos, Alexandros Soultatos
Photos: Manolis Varouchas – Concert Photography (Texts Α+Β), Alexandros Soultatos (Text C)
Videos: Antonis Livanios, Alexandros Soultatos

Text (A) by Vasiliki Kalogera

A new chapter for the Symphonic Metal Scene is created! For the first time in history, a Metal band played live inside the ancient theater of Herodion! An epic concert that created history!

On Saturday, September 28th, 2024, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus transformed into an arena of Symphonic Metal grandeur! SEPTICFLESH, accompanied by the Athens State Orchestra, delivered a concert that will forever remain etched in the memory of the Metal music fans! 

The magical atmosphere of the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus, beneath the Acropolis, provided the perfect backdrop for the masterpiece journey that was about to unfold. SEPTICFLESH broke boundaries, and, in a rare collaboration with the Athens State Orchestra, they fused Extreme Metal with Classical music, creating an audiovisual spectacle that highlighted their artistry. 

In the beginning, the orchestra musicians appeared and took their positions, greeted warmly by the audience. The venue’s lights dimmed, and the spotlights illuminated the band as they entered the stage, with Metal fans welcoming the Greek Symphonic Death Metallers with cheers and applause. 

The concert kicked off with “The Vampire from Nazareth,” and the imposing presence of the orchestra immediately set a dark and atmospheric tone. The voice of Spiros “Seth” Antoniou resonated throughout the ancient venue, while the strings and brass heightened the intensity of the song with its stormy yet low-key guitar riffs, completing the majestic performance. 

Next was the equally powerful, “Neuromancer”, where the elements of SEPTICFLESH blended seamlessly with the orchestra, under the direction of the renowned Dutch conductor, Koen Schoots. “Pyramid God” and “Portrait of a Headless Man” followed, with the audience captivated by the interaction between the band and the orchestra, as well as the choirs echoing in the ancient theater. 

“Coming Storm” and the emotionally charged “Martyr” showcased the complexity of the orchestrations and the profound artistic vision of SEPTICFLESH. The violins and brass added a mystical air to every note, especially in more Symphonic compositions like “A Great Mass of Death” that followed. 

During “Prometheus,” we were moved by Seth’s introductory words: 

“An ancient Greek god, a Titan, who brought knowledge to humanity, will play tonight in this sacred place that belongs to him!” Ancient Greek mythology was reborn, within one of the most captivating modern Metal works ever created! 

The top moment of the night came with the grandeur of “Persepolis.” SEPTICFLESH poured their souls into this song, while the choirs and the orchestra shone in the setting of Odeon of Herodes Atticus, raising the intensity, while artistically elevated the energy. 

“Communion” followed and the otherworldly “Hierophant” closed the main part of the concert hastily, with the orchestra greatly enhancing the epic element alongside the choirs! The explosive interaction between Metal and the grandeur of Classical music, created a sonic pandemonium at the foot of the Acropolis. 

After the audience’s ovation, the band returned to the stage for encores that sealed the night. The much-loved and highly requested song “Anubis”, started and Seth asked the audience to join their voices with the imposing choral vocals, creating a unique musical concert experience. 

The mesmerizing “Dark Art” provided the perfect finale to this unparalleled musical journey, leaving the audience with a sense of fulfillment and awe. 

This concert was not just a live performance, it was a cultural milestone that made history in the musical events of our country. For the first time ever, a Metal band was granted permission to perform at one of the world’s most iconic cultural heritage sites, and SEPTICFLESH proved that they can combine Symphonic music with Extreme sound, in a way that showcased their artistic brilliance. 

The night we experienced at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus was a musical journey unlike anything else in the Metal scene. The overwhelming atmosphere, the stunning musicianship, and the epic climax of the concert will remain unforgettable for those lucky enough to witness it live. 

Note: This concert marks a new chapter for the symphonic Metal scene in Greece, offering a glimpse into the future, where the fusion of Classical music and Extreme Metal can create truly unique artistic expressions.

Setlist for the live performance of SEPTIC FLESH at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus:

1. The Vampire from Nazareth
2. Neuromancer
3. Pyramid God
4. Portrait of a Headless Man
5. Coming Storm (Live debut)
6. The Mandragora Game Soundtrack unreleased (Instrumental)
7. Martyr
8. A Desert Throne
9. A Great Mass of Death
10. Dogma of Prometheus Orchestral
11. Communion
12. Hierophant
13. Persepolis
14. Anubis
15. Dark Art

Concert Contributors:

SEPTIC FLESH:

Spiros “Seth” Antoniou (Bass, Vocals)
Christos Antoniou (Guitar, Orchestrations)
Sotiris “Annunaki” Vayenas (Clean Vocals)
Dinos “Psychon” Prassas (Guitar)
Kerim “Krimh” Lechner (Drums)
Fani Melfi (Vocals)

Conductor: Koen Schoots

Orchestra: Athens State Orchestra

Choir: Libro Doro

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Text (B) by Kostas Boudoukos

What can be said about all that we’ve experienced on Saturday night, under the shadow of the Acropolis? No matter what will be said, it cannot be enough… Nearly 5,000 spectators and more than 60 musicians, who took part in this concert, can only boast that they became a small part of this country’s musical history. Because, whether some “proper elitists” like it or not, Metal music has been part of the musical heritage that Greece carries since the 1980s.

SEPTICFLESH have held a prominent place on this long list of significant bands for quite some time, gaining worldwide recognition. The reason is not only because they are outstanding musicians, but mainly due to the boldness and creativity they showed by combining pure Death Metal with Symphonic elements. This bold (and almost irrational) decision by the Athens State Orchestra, led to a magical evening at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, where, for the first time, a Metal band dominated the ancient stage of this World Heritage Monument. Unfortunately, in Greece of 2024, it still takes courage to make the obvious things to take place. The Athens State Orchestra, under the direction of Koen Schoots, led the way and provided the necessary leverage for the National Archaeological Council to give the green light. And the rest is now history…

As for the concert itself, words are hardly needed. Magic, mysticism, high art, and chills of emotion. These, I believe, are enough to describe what we all experienced. Especially for Spyros Antoniou, co-founder and vocalist of the band, who thanked us about 30 times (!) during the concert, finding it increasingly difficult to hold back his emotions each time. We didn’t have that problem, though we were moved freely and without restraint. Whether it was the unique “Coming Storm” song, played live for the first time, or listening for the umpteenth time to the legendary “Prometheus,” “Anubis,” and “Persepolis.” And not only those. From “The Vampire from Nazareth,” with which SEPTICFLESH opened the concert, to “Dark Art” during the second encore that closed the show, these roughly two hours will be etched in our memory.

You will read a lot online in the coming days, and the vast majority will be praise. But guess what… it will all be true, not just something nice to say because there’s some obligation to the band, as it often happens in various music magazines. Comments like “okay, but if you cannot headbang or mosh at a Metal concert, what’s the point..?” or “okay, but the sound volume was too low…” are just passed over, as we conspiratorially smile among ourselves, those of us who lived through this epic event. I’ll finish the correspondence by saying that I hope Spyros’ words come true, and this concert will open the way for the Greek Metal scene to finally take the place it deserves in our country (because outside of Greece, it’s already at the top). Thank you from the bottom of our hearts…

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Text (C) by Alexandros Soultatos

What happened yesterday at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, Greece was something unprecedented. Personally, I don’t believe it will happen again, at least not anytime soon. But let’s start from the beginning…

The day for THE GALLERY’s team started early in the evening, with the traditional pre-concert warm-up meeting at a café in Plaka area, near the Acropolis. There were quite a few people in our company, mostly from Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, Florina, and Kastoria! Many discussions revolved around all the current Metal news, but primarily about what we were about to experience in just a few hours…

The sun began to set and our company, walking leisurely down Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, arrived at the steps of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, where we immediately bumped into the guitarist of DECAPITATED, Wacław Kiełtyka. The necessary greetings and compliments were exchanged. Many international figures and musicians from around the world attended this cultural and musical event of the year, as it pertains to the Greek Metal scene. Of course, the entire Metal community of Athens was there, with hugs, gossip, and an anticipation for something monumental evident in everyone’s eyes… The gates of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus were already filled with people and, without much delay, we moved inside the magical marble theater of Odeon of Herodes Atticus (built in 161 AD). Most of the audience had already taken their seats…

The Metalheads were harmonized with the needs of the venue, with absolute respect towards the ancient monument of Greece and respect towards those who gave us the opportunity to experience such an event in this sacred place. A total of 4,780 spectators. 480 of them were from abroad.

Now, moving on to the music’s part… SEPTIC FLESH. A band operating at the highest level of professionalism, thoroughly prepared, always in conjunction with a high-level orchestra, meticulously studied. Tremendous work by Dutch conductor, Koen Schoots, and absolute success in coordinating the orchestra. The musicians and choir, enthusiastically aligned with the mystical atmosphere of the concert, began unleashing waves of Symphonic intoxication, some from their instruments, others from their throats. We were hit from all sides! Magic! A sonic orgasm! Goosebumps! With such a music in the background, SEPTIC FLESH could not fail… a band that has remained at the top of Symphonic Death Metal worldwide for decades, left us speechless, once again…WHAT A PERFORMANCE! Who cares if the volume of the guitars and the drums was of low level, in order not to destroy the ancient marbles?

Each member gave an outstanding performance, excelling in their respective roles. Spiros “Seth” Antoniou was moving, with fewer words this time, but words of substance and sharp remarks to those who deserved it, delivered just right. Sotiris Vayenas, with his distinctive clean vocals, was there. Dino, always dynamic on the guitars. And, of course, the powerhouse known as Kerim “Krimh” Lechner held everything together, behind his mandatory plexiglass (to prevent the orchestral musicians from being bombarded with drumbeats)! Special credits to the guitarist and founding member Christos Antoniou for the incredible work he did transforming SEPTIC FLESH’s songs from mere Metal tracks into Classical arrangements, breaking down all the harmonies for dozens of instruments! The musical scores literally and figuratively caught fire! Ethereal yet simultaneously powerful was Fani’s performance, with her otherworldly female vocals transporting us to a different, darker world…

There’s not much else to say… SEPTIC FLESH, we are grateful to you…

Translation/Rendering in English language: Vasiliki Kalogera
Cover Artwork: Seth Siro Anton
Design, Editing & Text Corrections: Alexandros Soultatos
External Links: SEPTIC FLESH – Official Page
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