Live Show: As I Lay Dying, Karma Violens
Place: Gagarin Club, Athens, Greece
Date: April 3rd, 2024
Live Correspondent: Alexandros Soultatos

On Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024, Athens experienced an unforgettable night of Metalcore music, full of energy and passion! Despite being a weekday, the Gagarin 205 club became the ultimate destination for all Metalcore enthusiasts, as the American band AS I LAY DYING was set to perform in Greece for the second time, following last year’s Rockwave Festival. Back then, they played in an open-air venue under daylight, facing technical and sound issues, with only a small number of people gathered in front of the stage. This time, AS I LAY DYING delivered a performance worthy of their name, playing in a packed club with 70 minutes at their disposal to unleash hits spanning from 2003 to today, practically leveling the venue!

Let’s start from the beginning. The night opened with the Athenian band KARMA VIOLENS, who initially had clear Metalcore influences but later ventured into more Black Metal soundscapes. As a seasoned band with numerous live shows under their belt, they once again proved to be one of Greece’s top extreme metal acts. Their professional performance throughout their set was impressive, with a standout moment being their cover of BEHEMOTH’s «Ov Fire And The Void», which came as a delightful surprise to everyone!

As the night progressed, anticipation for AS I LAY DYING’s appearance reached its peak. Devoted fans from all over Athens and even the provinces had gathered to witness a band that has left an indelible mark on the Metalcore scene.

Beyond the music, the evening served as a meeting point for the Metal community to connect and share their enthusiasm. Discussions about favorite bands, upcoming concerts, and the emotions of the present moment made the night even more enchanting for everyone involved.

When AS I LAY DYING took the stage, Gagarin 205 descended into a stormy frenzy! With Tim Lambesis leading with his powerful voice and dominating the stage, the band kicked off their set with «Nothing Left», followed by a mix of older hits and tracks from their latest album.

followed by a mix of older hits and tracks from their latest album.

The atmosphere was charged with energy and emotion, as fans immersed themselves in frenzied mosh pits and headbanging with full devotion. Lambesis himself joined the chaos! Tracks like «Through Struggle», «A Greater Foundation», and «An Ocean Between Us» sent the crowd into a frenzy, with fans passionately singing every lyric and engaging in nonstop Wall of Deaths! Lambesis even remarked on the Greek crowd, calling it the most lively and intense audience they’ve encountered on this tour!

As the concert went on, the band seemed to thoroughly enjoy every moment, with the crowd actively participating by singing along to every song. The show ended with the hit «My Own Grave» and the incredible «Confined», leaving fans rejuvenated and hungry for more Metal! With memories of an unforgettable night still fresh, attendees left Gagarin 205 thrilled and energized.

The only downside (as I’ve mentioned many times before) was the inadequacy of Ryan Neff, the newcomer replacing Josh Gilbert on clean vocals and bass. Unfortunately, he fails to meet the demands of this role. In the three live shows I’ve attended with him, he has consistently been off-key and out of tune in his clean vocals, which are a key and distinctive element of the band.

After the concert, Tim Lambesis appeared at the club’s main entrance and, despite being tired, took photos with many fans, displaying kindness to everyone. It was an evening full of intensity and passion for modern Metal music, and every moment was truly worth it!

Ανταπόκριση: Αλέξανδρος Σουλτάτος
Σχεδιασμός και Επιμέλεια Κειμένου: Αλέξανδρος Σουλτάτος
Φωτογραφίες: Αλέξανδρος Σουλτάτος
Βίντεο: Αλέξανδρος Σουλτάτος
Διαδικτυακός Σύνδεσμος: AS I LAY DYING – Επίσημη Σελίδα
Copyright © 2024 THEGALLERY.GR

Tracklist:

Nothing Left
Falling Upon Deaf Ears
Through Struggle
Redefined
Parallels
A Greater Foundation
Condemned
An Ocean Between Us
Shaped by Fire
94 Hours
The Darkest Nights
Re-Separation
Blinded
Anodyne Sea

Encore:
The Sound of Truth
My Own Grave
Confined