At first sight, it seemed like a cool Saturday evening in the center of Athens like every other. Everything was quiet until you reached outside Underworld club, where a certain group of dark-clad people started to gather, with funny names like "sunn-o)))" or "Reverend Bizarre" written on their shirts. I joined them and surprise! there are several people I know in there! Altogether then, we get inside Underworld, as the gig was about to start in a while.

Everything was set just right inside. Beer had already started to flow, while the mood was made by doom and heavy rock sounds, played by those smiling people otherwise known as Monolithians. By the time Low Gravity got on stage, alcohol had brought me to a "ready" status and I was standing by to hear them, as this would be the first time for me. And it was anything but a disappointment. Low Gravity started to lay their instrumental fuzzy riff rock before us almost shamelessly, and that was definitely not against them. The guitarist generously offered us spacy landscapes with the help of that line of pedals that laid before him as he stepped on the groovy rhythm section. But the clue of the band was the keyboard player who, unlike how it happens in similar bands, played a leading role in here. The whole outcome was a trip neck-deep in the 60’s and the 70’s. To make a comparison, I could say they were like Karma to Burn bathed in acid. Way to go, we miss bands like this one over here.

Violet Vortex were next, and my anticipation (like most other people’s in the club I guess) lied to how they sounded/looked on stage with their new line-up. I didn’t have much time to wonder by myself, as they made any doubts disappear by an explosive new song of theirs. The new guitarist duo performed as they were among the band founders, also adding a bit more to the band’s overall sound (than what we had known until now, that is). Apart from several new songs (which show that the band has evolved a great deal since "Lure Elegant"), Violet Vortex also paid tribute to their first full-length (with "Luv", "Ultraviolet Dreams" and "Riding Forever Free"), as well as to Pentagram (with "Forever My Queen"). For the fans of the band, this was definitely an appearance to remember, full of promise that Violet Vortex are still here, alive and kicking. Along with them, I’m anxiously waiting for their next release, about which the band itself has set a really high standard.

And now that we were properly warmed up, it was the time for the forgotten-in-time Swedes to show us why they had come here for. To be honest, before the gig I didn’t expect much more from Witchcraft, rather than good old 70’s heavy rock. Of course that’s what they delivered, but things are not that simple (in a good way). The passion, the energy, the atmosphere radiated from the stage when Witchcraft performed was, to say the least, unexpected. Magnus Pelander’s voice was piercing through our ears with its unique tone and strength, while the rest of the band performed with a flame that lifted their (already great) material many levels higher; especially Ola Henriksson was getting it out in his own way, beating his poor bass endlessly, and headbanging the whole time! Witchcraft stayed on stage for about 90 minutes, and they played the most songs of both of their albums. As for highlights, the whole appearance was one by itself, but I could point out "What I Am", "Chylde of Fire", "If Wishes Were Horses" and "Sorrow Evoker", among others. Witchcraft, although they are in no way anything original or contemporary, they offered what they know best; a true revival of the heavy rock of the 70’s, the way the Fathers Black Sabbath established it. And the least they deserve for that is huge amounts of RESPECT. Hope to see you again soon!

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