Smoke The Fuzz Fest

Well, it's no secret that the Greek scene has upped the ante in the past few years, in terms of musical production and live performances. And about fucking time for that matter. As various new bands sprout by the month and new releases hit my news feed daily, I have come to the realization that this new wave of audiovisual goodness derives not only from the creativity and the inspiration of all the new and old local musical projects, but also evolves from the individual or collective efforts of local promoters. As I have a special affection for anything underground, I find particular interest into anything that starts as a one-man-effort and in this particular case, a one-woman-effort. So let me say a few words about Smoke The Fuzz Gigs and the culprit Elina.
I first met Elina when she was DJ-ing in a dodgy bar/live stage. That must 've been about 4 years ago. Impressed by the variety of tunes she spinned as well as the knowledge that girl had, we had a small chat about our general activities. When she told me that she had just started a small live production/promotion company, I asked her to come by the show. Thus we had the first radio session with Smoke The Fuzz Gigs. I have to say, I was overwhelmed by the amount of the tunes she brought with her that day. I can tell you with all honesty that it was that day that I started listening to at least half a dozen new bands and started further exploring the doom/sludge/stoner genre. Despite the fact that we got shitfaced during that first radio interview, Elina kept rambling on about this and that band, about several releases and gigs that she loved in outstanding clarity and passion. I mean, she even brought notes for fucks' sake! I knew in spite of my baked head that the person that sat across me was deadly serious about music.
In time a came to love the way she chose to promote the various Smoke The Fuzz events (which grew bigger and bigger in terms of booking and attendance) in the social media. It was like reading ramblings of a die-hard fan, rather than press releases. Some may find that a bit unprofessional, but my personal opinion is that metal music is supposed to be personal and sometimes offensive, rather than clean and politically correct. Make no mistake, the personal attitude has not yet afflicted any blows on the sheer professionaism that is experienced in any of the StF gigs I have ever attended. Don't take my word for it, just ask another concert goer or even a band member that has been given the (royal) hospitality and treatment during their tour visit to Greece. About a month ago, Elina agreed to a second radio interview, this time in the new home of Heavy & Unhealthy. I can tell you that the passion for good music and quality live production are still there. She was kind enough to through us a bone, announcing her plans for a big festival. Well, it's here, it comes in three parts and the line up is deadly. Keep up the good work Elina!

Smoke The Fuzz gigs
proudly presents
the first Smoke The Fuzz Fest
ever!!

The first ever and biggest festival in Greece that exclusively addresses to enthusiasts of doom/post/stoner/sludge/psychedelic/space/blues sounds!!!

Smoke The Fuzz is breaking ground with the gathering of huge international bands of the heavy sound under one stage, thus creating the first ever festival in Greece that exclusively addresses to enthusiasts of doom/post/stoner/sludge/psychedelic/space/blues sounds! Three different editions on three different days were designed in accordance to the style of the bands included, thus rendering each day an unprecedented for Greek standards music marathon that will satisfy the wishes of the fans of each and every one of our favorite genres and subgenres.

- Fall of Doom edition || Saturday 17 September 2016 @ Gagarin 205 LIve Music Space : Yob - Bongzilla - Dopethrone - Sons of Otis - black cobra - SUMA - Love Sex Machine
event : https://www.facebook.com/events/1180413471992690/
tickets : https://www.viva.gr/tickets/music/gagarin205/smoke-the-fuzz-fall-of-doom-edition-en/
- Howler edition || Saturday 22 October 2016 @ Gagarin 205 LIve Music Space : All Them Witches - Earthless - Causa Sui - band page - Electric Moon - Siena Root - Yuri Gagarin
event : https://www.facebook.com/events/999988643453536/
tickets : https://www.viva.gr/tickets/music/gagarin205/smoke-the-fuzz-howler-edition-en/
- Post-mortem edition || Saturday&Sunday 5-6 November @ Iera Odos : Russian Circles - Cult of Luna w/ Julie Christmas
event : https://www.facebook.com/events/208487219549851/
tickets : https://www.viva.gr/tickets/music/iera-odos/smoke-the-fuzz-fest-en/

Smoke The Fuzz Fest is entirely special in its conception and identity, since the line-up of each day is globally unique, it does not follow a particular and is certainly not an extension or a copy of any other pre-existing international festival. All the bands were picked one by one, many of them flying as one-offs from the other side of the Atlantic! Without a shadow of a doubt, the first Smoke The Fuzz Fest is the greatest festival in the history of Greek concert standards that concern the heavy scene. It includes 17 artists from abroad, many of which would qualify as a surprise to watch on a stand-alone headlining concert in our country, let alone seeing them sharing the stage all together with other acclaimed and up and coming artists of our favorite scene. Smoke The Fuzz Fest really does have the whole package: It includes bands that the Greek audience had been yearning to see for many years now (Bongzilla, Sons of Otis, Causa Sui, Electric Moon), bands with whom we’ve already established an unmatched bond of love (Yob, Earthless, Dopethrone, All Them Witches, Russian Circles, Suma, Siena Root, Black Cobra), selective special appearances (Cult Of Luna feat. Julie Christmas), and bands that qualify as some of the greatest up and coming talents of the heavy underground (Yuri Gagarin, Love Sex Machine). Responses for this one of a kind lineup were extended on a global scale, both in the media world and the fans of this sound themselves. With the announcement of the line-ups, people from all over the world obtained airplane and festival tickets so they can be a part of the triple ceremony of Smoke The Fuzz Fest. Since it is already receiving the practical interest of fans from abroad, it is obvious that this is a gigantic effort of Smoke The Fuzz, a musical initiative that drags Greece away from the background and places it the center of the maps of European festivals. We can now be proud of having our own festival of international standards. It is time to sow the seeds from an unprecedented trip, with an equally unprecedented -for our country- line up. A breathtaking musical Hydra with three heads, a unique festival for a unique audience and undoubtedly, a cultural experience no one should miss.

http://smokethefuzz.com/
http://smokethefuzz.gr/
https://www.facebook.com/SmokeTheFuzzGigs
https://www.facebook.com/SmokeTheFuzzFestAthens/

Gig mayhem part VI

Just entered December and this is H&U 's last post for 2013 (gig-wise):

Starting off the month with something very special. A group of people from Heraclion in Crete got together and decided to organize three live shows into three different cities, all in a very good cause. The first has already taken place, but two more are on their way:

 

On December the 6th, at 7Sins Club in Athens, you can get a taste of Never-Trust, Tetractys, BiBiBo64 & Hourglass. Entrance fee (including a glass of a cold one) is at 5 euros. All funds will be donated to support abused women & children, so be a dear and attend.

Two days later, the third and last part of this moving project will take place at Eightball Club in Thessaloniki:

 

Bio-Cancer, Revolted Masses, Scorcher, Morphinject & Hourglass is the night's line-up and the entrance fee at 5 euros as well. A bold move of solidarity, in times much needed. Well done!

On the 13th of December Smoke The Fuzz Gigs strikes back, this time bringing you the following:

 

•  Naam: Modern Psychedelic Doom, hailing from Brooklyn NY, for the first time on greek soil!
• Automaton:  Heavy Doom from Athens, with their fresh debut release 'Echoes of Mount Ida'.
• Human Asteroid:  Progressive Alternative Something from Athens.

The feast will take place at Six D.O.G.S and the entrance fee ranges from 10 to 12 to 15 euros, depending on how soon you get off your ass and go buy a ticket.

Eyes and ears open for the upcoming Heavy & Unhealthy Radio session with Automaton, coming up on Wednesday the 4th. Good times, good times.

The very next day, on December the 14th you can clean up your BBQ gear and get ready for a very tasty course:

Head Cleaner, Mass Infection, Slavebreed, Necrorgasm, Alter Self, Trigger and Blessed By Perversion will be tearing down 7Sins Club with instruments of the Death/Grind variety. Show starts at 19:00 and the ticket to glory is at 7 euros.

The day after is dedicated to true unrepentant Heavy Metal:

Wrathblade are celebrating their 10th year and what better way to party, other than to release a split album with their brothers in arms Convixion entitled 'Alive Aftershock' and to host an epic gig at Kyttaro Live featuring the aforementioned bastards plus Sacral Rage! Doors open at 19:00 and entrance is 6 euros only, beers and denim mandatory!
Again, eyes and ears open for the upcoming Heavy & Unhealthy radio show on the 11th of December, featuring both Wrathblade & Convixion for the price of one.

On Wednesday the 18th of December, brace yourselves for:

Trailblazer Records is behind this one and the line-up consists of:

• Speedblow, resurrected after some time off, will be delivering some heavy/doomy sounds
• Skandal, experimental rock/metal from Greeks situated in Great Britain
• Burn The Sun, stoner/heavy/desert from Athens

The gig will be taking place over at Zero at 20:30 and the entrace fee is at 5 euros.

On Thursday the 19th (that is the very next day) at Kookoo Live Music Bar, one can witness the closing of the first tour of Lucky Funeral:

Lucky Funeral have been busy promoting their latest release, while touring around Europe and Greece. That night they will be jamming with the likes of doom monsters Agnes Vein & rock newcomers Zagreus. Party starts at 21:00 and the ticket is at 6 euros. Extra cash for merch is a must!

Wrapping up this post with something very special:

Christmas eve at An Club, and for 10 years it's an established tradition to celebrate with Nighstalker. Not much needs been said about these old-timers, other than the fact that they will be sharing the stage with some very experienced and very talented bands. Mahakala, Potergeist & Drunk Motherfuckers will be making merry and setting the proper X-Mass mood for a loud and unholy night. Egg Nog & Christmas Pudding Beers and Marijuana are the tools of the trade! Doors open at 20:30 and the toll is 12 euros. Ho-ho-hoe!

 

Last but not least, don't forget to check out every week this:

 

An ongoing project set up by Trailblazer Records , happening every Thursday at Garden 4, featuring unplugged sessions by Greek bands of the heavy variety. The entrance is free!
Beware, some of them will be visiting Heavy & Unhealthy for intees and more unplugged sessions! Heavy music was never so smooth...

 

That concludes my list for December's gigs, but don't take my word for it, the information is out there and waiting to be found! Catch you next year with more lives and more tunes!

\m/

Gig mayhem part V

Yeah, I know it's been awhile since the blog's last update regarding gigs and live shows. Here's what's cooking at the moment:

Closing up October, here's a gig that has a little of everything. On Saturday the 26th of October, at KYTTARO Live Club one shall enjoy the sweet & heavy tunes of:

- Karma Violens: created in September 2002 and kicking serious ass ever since. Their music is an amalgam of Extreme Metal (death, thrash, black) combined with Hardcore.
- Kin Beneath Chorus: formed in 2007 in Thessaloniki, they have already their debut death metal/metalcore album Futuristic.Composed released by the almight Spreading Dysphoria Industries. It's always good to have Northeners in a gig line-up!
- All Vows Collapse: and all words fail to describe the impatience I have while waiting on their upcoming debut release. -Core to the bone! Wait, check out an interview they gave to yours truly over here!
- Deeds not Words: Progressive with a touch of the metal core and the experimental.
- Royalty: the youngsters will open up the show, looking forward to some fresh hardcore!
Doors open at 20:00, show starts at 21:00, have 5 euros to get past the doors, and some extra for merch and beer.

Off to November, thrash is the way to go!

I always like to include some Faithreat to my list of tunes. The thrashers from Volos have won my attention & affection since their last EP Thrashing With The Stars. On Saturday the 2nd of November, at Zero, we all gather to party hard and celebrate Faithreat's latest self-titled release! Supporting Faithreat that night, are hardcore old timers Censored Sound and groovy-thrashcore Athenians Never-Trust. Sadly, Progress Of Inhumanity cancelled due to personal reasons...
Since there is no official entrance fee, be there at 21:00 and have a little something to contribute financially, as well as some doe for Faithreat's freshly cut vinyl. I justcame in my pants.

6 days later, doom is in the air!

Smoke The Fuzz has started this season with a bang! On Friday the 8th of November at Six D.O.G.S. we'll despair under the tunes of Suma, Sadhus (The Smokin Community) & Gomgoma. The press release is priceless, therefore I shall re-post it in full:
- SUMA: Hailing from Malmö, Sweden and formed in 2001 : SUMA has been spreading the plague of their sonic weight, noise-ridden hallucinatory doom metal on the world for the past decade and have lured hordes of humans into the lair with their devastatingly heavy, one way trip into the vortex live performances and crushing delivery on their recorded matter.
The past year has seen some changes to the entity that is SUMA. After more than a year's hiatus and decimated to a four-piece with the departure of DR.J's vocals in the winter of 2011/12 there was no hesitation in figuring out how to move forward. Vocals kept within the reborn entity and an additional depth to the maelstorm added by the introduction of the taurus. Regenerated to enable unexplored structures of their sphere... there is vast darkness on the horizon.
They are currently working on material for their fourth album - THE ORDER OF THINGS - to be recorded in the winter of 2013. This brings on the third occasion with legendary engine-ear BILLY ANDERSON (Melvins, Neurosis, Sleep, Eyehategod) at the helm of the recording. This is the imminent evolution from the past's behemoths of albums, LET THE CHURCHES BURN and ASHES.
Ending the year and a half long hiatus from performing live, they returned with some festival shows and a tour with Acid King in 2012 and are playing shows and touring till the end of 2013 and onward...
With a strong DIY mind, SUMA has been releasing most of it's music through their own label and hitting the roads across Europe over the years through their own booking and with kindred spirits across the plains.
In 2010 SUMA was invited by Tom G. Warrior to take part in his "Only Death Is Real" curated day at ROADBURN and saw their first appearance on U.S. soil - an east-coast tour with Unearthly Trance. As well as distribution and marketing help for ASHES through swedish death/black metal label REGAIN RECORDS.
- Sadhus (The Smokin Community): In the year of our lord 1980, a green massive comet falls down to earth. Inside it a huge hairball, rotten, matted all together begins to inhale music, different from the usual, just perfect to its ears. In its quest, three mushrooms forced it in the psychedelic form of music and a Baba helped it in his gnosis. So, all five after a lot of intergalactic wanderings, decided to stay in earth as the embodiment of five earthly figures, keeping their genuine un-earthly characters. Life in earth was not what they expected so decided to communicate through music. Magic herbs, intermixtures of smoke, a lot of alcohol mixes, hallucinatory quests led them to express themselves through their music their personal experiences on this fastidious planet. Using their own colours, their fury for everything and looking back to the beautifully trips, they tried through their pervert minds to express themselves. So different and yet so similar. Careless laughs, endless hangovers, trips to the unknown, general wanderings in hostile galaxies. All of that as the fellow-travellers at their rehearsals. And above all that, a powerful green stuff, leftover from the comet, taking care of them. Roll fast...play slow...!!!
RegularPaul wrote in Spinalonga Records... A bunch of weedians with all the right influence, Sadhus the Smoking Community live by one rule. Roll fast, play slow. Their (10€) bag of sludge contains ultraslow riffage, agonizing vokills, repetitive tempos and endless sessions. Sessions that are sometimes shared at gigs but mostly occur amongst friends at their own meaty rehearsal space. Dr. Doom's Lair wrote... Take Iron Monkey, throw them in the desert and bury them in smoke. They put the grove back into sludge!!!
- Gomgoma: The abbrevation was our will's order for the preparation and administration of a drug or device for us, as patient, to construct slow short diseases. Doom ad libitum. Whatever its sub-genre. Crust or anything else pro re nata, we suppose. Due to the fact that we're carrying a chromosome translocation, the abortion shall be multiple, even though we're hardly pregnant of paeans expressed as acid reflux (=a common condition and an abnormal one in which acid in the stomach rises up into the esophagus). But damn sure, it's only the very start of all this addiction. The four men, mentally hosted in psychiatric chambers, intend to create such tunes which shall cause a permanent, impaired body movement, aka Akinesia. A congenital absence of an opening at the bottom end of our intestinal tracts has allowed us to shit only two tracks of utter disgust yet. The flexible plastic tube, aka catheter, inserted into the bladder to provide continuous urinary drainage is where we keep all ideas unexposed. Of course, until we piss the whole illness some day. 'Til then, stay formicated and fornicated.
The presale of the tickets has already started, 12euros for those that are quick, 15 euros for those that will go straight to the doors that night. Keep your eyes and ears open, during one of the next radio shows we'll give away one ticket while hosting a radio session with either Elina, the girl behind Smoke The Fuzz and/or Gomgoma...

The very next day, some heavy shit is hitting the fan over at Second Skin Club:

Bowel Of Noise Records is the mastermind of this gig and the line-up looks fucking sick:
-Year Of The Goat: Hailing from Sweden, this band knows their psychedelic occult rock. Having just released their latest work Angel's Necropolis, they are headlining this sweet gig.
- Aherusia: Greek fucking black metal! I pity the fool that hasn't checked them out, this guys rock the cock since 1997! Ever-evolving and always with something in the making, Aherusia are a safe and solid bet for some satanic entertainment.
- Mahakala: Speak of the devil, these guys know just how to destroy everything (and live forever). Words fail me, go check out their latest release Devil's Music (one of the best 2013 Greek releases) as well as an interview they gave a while back to yours truly.
- Speedblow: Having just resurrected from their ashes, Speedblow are opening up that night. Brace yourselves for some serious doomy heavy metal, and be on the lookout for upcoming releases and live shows. Almost forgot, crack a beer open and listen to the Heavy & Unhealthy radio session featuring Speedblow over here.
Doors open at 20:00, presale is at 20 euros, tickets at the door will be 25 euros. METAAAAL \m/

Speaking of upcoming releases...

Trailblazer Records is hosting the release party of Black Soul Horde's debut release on Thursday the 21st of November,over at  AN Club and here's the line-up:
- Black Soul Horde: this is what you get when you put together members from bands such as Speedblow, Mahakala, Sun of Nothing, Engine-V and Nordor into a studio and on stage. Black Soul Horde have just been born (or should I write 'gathered') and they have released their debut album entitled Tales Of The Ancient Ones under the wings of No Remorse Records. This will be their second time on stage and I really look forward to catch them live. Give the album a listen, it reeks of old school heavy metal and while you're at it, check out the Heavy & Unhealthy radio interview they gave a while back.
- Steamroller Assault: To make a long story short, if you dig your Heavy / Thrash Metal, Rock 'n' Roll and Blues Leads to be filthier than shit, then this is for you. These guys have been absent for about a year or so from the scene, so attendance is a must!
- Convixion: Eat & drink metal, play hard, party harder! 2 releases, a fuckload of live shows and beer. That will be all, carry on.
- Gauntlet: The night will start with this newly-found traditional heavy metal band from Athens. Rumors say that fans of Maiden, Priest & Omen will get a boner.
Be at the venue at 20:00, have 6 euros plus extras for beer and merch and get ready to mosh.

This endless post would not be complete, without the addition of some bacon.

Be sure to have your inflated life-rafts, plastic tits and pitta-gyro at hand on Saturday the 23rd of November over at 7 Sins Club, for that night, Hangover Era presents:
- Mortal Torment: New band line-up, new songs, upcoming sophomore release. Gyros. Stupidity guaranteed. More stupidity here.
- Murder Made God: New release, balanced violence, razor-sharp riffs & heavy-as-fuck vocals. Dismemberment  guaranteed.

- Abnormal Inhumane: New stuff freshly out of the morgue, beastly brutal death metal. Pulverization guranteed.
- Grasroll: Auntie Anna has the recipe for some violent, sharp, head-slapping material. Mosh pits guaranteed.
Doors open at 20:00, killing spree starts at 20:30. Sell your family for 3 euros and be there.

That 's it (or is it?) for late October and November, regarding gigs in Athens, if I forgot like 10 or 20 more live shows, well it sucks to be you reading this here post. Get off your ass and start digging, a good gig is always near by.
'Til the next gig mayhem post, stay true, stay heavy.
\m/

Gig Mayhem Part IV

I hope this finds you at a sunny beach with a cold one in one hand and a fat spliff in the other. If not, well, welcome back to the city with all the rest of us poor schmucks. Fear not though, cause autumn can still overcome this summer's awesomeness. Right, so let's get this season started with another Gig mayhem post...

Most of you may have heard the name before, the rest of you may want to check this out.
Yep, The Voldera Cult kick-off this season's live barrage with the release gig for their debut, freshly-out-of-the-oven release Goliath. It's dark, it's massive, but don't take my word for it, have a listen. Supported by some great Greek bands such as Revenge Of The Giant Face (H&U interviewed them a while ago), Lunatic Medlar (their debut release Finely Tuned Machine is a must-listen and I hope to host an interview with the band sooner than later), The News Called You Dead (hadcore/noise/metal act from Athens) & Blame Kandinsky (a newly formed math 'n roll band with their debut release pending some time during September), the release show will take place at 7 Sins Club on Saturday the 21st of September. Be there early (doors open at 20:00) with 4 euros in hand and some extra pocket money for beer, CD's & T shirts (got mine at New Long Festival fools!). Excellent.

Moving on up to central & northern Greece...

Lucky Funeral are getting ready to hit the road in order to promote their latest album Find Your Soul In Beautiful Lunatics, a release by their own newly-founded label Lychnopolis Records. Progressive/sludge/psychedelic are labels that can faintly describe/tag the band's new endeavor, if you haven't given the album a listen get the fuck outta here. 'Nough said, if you reside in Trikala, you'll be able to catch them live on Friday the 27th of September at 21:00 at the city's Central Square. Supporting act for this gig is Moat Hug, a five-piece psychedelic/doom/sludge act from Larissa & Kozani. 4 euros (including a glass of a cold one) will suffice, but hold another 12 euros if you want to buy the vinyl (including a slipcase CD). Nice.
2 days later, that is on Sunday the 29th of September, the potheads from Salonica can catch the band playing live at Eightball Club & Live Stage  (doors open at 21:00). Moat Hug will be once more supporting the gig, this time with the addition of Agnes Vein (doom metal old-timers from Salonica) who have also just released their debut full length album Soulship. Again, 4 euros will get you past the door and to the bar for a beer. Cheers!

September holds yet another treat for the Athens based metal heads. Defcon Fest no 5 is up and it looks massive!

All info on this 3 day orgy can be found here.
Right, off to October and the plot thickens.

Kick-starting the month, the swamp metal vampires Potergeist (have a listen of the interview they gave at H&U) are having a live presentation of their latest album Swampires (their 4th release so far). Joining them that night will be Psycho Choke (hardcore metal old-timers from Salonica, currently recording their 5th album), Harsh Demise (a progressive hardcore act from Piraeus, have a listen of their debut release over here) & Stonebringer (a heavy/stoner/progressive rock band also from Piraeus, their debut release is a freebie, go get it). So put on your fake vampire fangs and be at An Club on Friday October the 4th 20:30 sharp, with 6 euros plus extras for merch. Werewolves not allowed! Those who survive can party hard with the band at their swampiric after party at Santa Botella!

Want moar?
OK sure.

On Sunday the 6th of October at 7 Sins Club, we say farewell and bonne chance to Tardive Dyskinesia, as they depart for Euroblast Festival. That's right bitches, Tardive will go international once more! Supporting them that night will be Revenge Of The Giant Face (still waiting on that debut release...). A bloody mayhem! Have 6 euros in hand plus extras and while you wait, have a listen to the the H&U interviews each band gave during the last season here and here.

Doom lovers fear not, Trailblazer Records has got your back! On Thursday October the 10th (doors open at 20:45) at An Club, one can enjoy the sounds of American doom metal pioneers Pentagram. Supporting acts are DreamLongDead (primitive monolithic doom death metal punk from Athens, Greece) & Automaton (heavy stoner / doom act, also from Athens). Have 20 euros in your pocket and don't forget to bring a towel. Doomtastic!

Last, but not least, here's something for the progressive sound lovers out there. Introductions fail, Fates Warning visit both Salonica and Athens on the 19th & 20th of October respectively. After 9 years of silence (release-wise), Fates Warning will present their 13th upcoming album entitled Darkness In A Different Light. On the 19th the show will be hosted in Eightball Club & Live Stage with supporting act Wardrum (heavy/power metal band from Salonica) and on the 20th the doors will open at Fuzz Club with supporting acts The Silent Wedding (melodic heavy stuff from Athens) and Parthian Shot (progressive/heavy band from Athens). Pre-orders are 20 euros, outside the venue is 25 euros.

This concludes my post-holiday gig heads-up for September & October. Keep your eyes and ears open for the upcoming third season of Heavy & Unhealthy, with more band interviews, scene news and heavy tunes. Won't be long now....
\m/

Gig Mayhem Part III

Well this was fucking awesome, we are riding hard throughout summer, but just so you know, September is just around the corner and things have just began to look very promising for the autumn season of 2013:

Yesh! The fifth edition of DEFCON FEST has just been announced and it looks epic!
This year it features a three-day live extravaganza which will take place @ AN Club (Solomou 13-15, Eksarxia, Athens) on the 27th, 28th and 29th of September of the year of our Lord 2013.
For the ignorant readers out there, DEFCON FEST started in 2008 as an effort to promote the Greek metal/rock/punk and hardcore scene. So, let's take a sneak peek at what's cooking this year:.

DAY 1 

• Word Is Bond have been a hardcore band from Athens since 2011. After they wrote their first tracks, they played their first live in Thessaloniki at the end of the same year. In 2012 they opened up for the German band Final Prayer and on March 2013 for the English Knuckledust. In the summer of 2013 the band will enter the studio for the recording of their first album from which they will present material in DEFCON Fest.
• Flipstar are a punk/rock band that have been active for 4 years in the Greek punk/skate scene with a large number of concerts in Athens and the Greek province. The band consists of 4 members: Steve, Fatnik, Pipis and Stavros, some of which have shared the same stage with several well-known bands like Pennywise, Hatebreed, Walls of Jericho, Less than Jake, Real Mckenzies, MXPX etc. Their first release was a demo with 5 songs titled "We're coming fast, we're coming hard" in 2010. Two years later in 2012, with the support of PlayFalse Records followed the first full length cd titled "Back to Basics" based on familiar and beloved sound of 90's punk/rock. At the same time they released their first video clip from the cd titled "State of mind" and some time later the second entitled "This Feeling". Finally, in June 2013 they released the EP "Sweet Sally Toe".
• My Turn are a hardcore band and as they say "For three years we live for 25 minutes on stage and the 3 chords that can change the world. Nothing more, nothing less. "Wish Upon A Star are a four-piece punk rock band influenced mainly by the scene of Florida melodic punk rock of the 90s. In the recent years they have given concerts in almost all of Europe having to their credit two official releases. The "Sincerity In Every Chord" (April 2010) and "Something To Hold Onto" (April 2012). 
• Endsight began their march as the remaining members of For What Is Worth. To album their "A Falling World" was the first release bearing the band's new name. This time, after some changes in the original composition and sound, since most belong to the genre of melodic death metal, are preparing to release their new album "A Vicious Circle" from which they will present pieces. Having played live with bands like Hatebreed, Darkest Hour, Integrity, Cataract, Rise And Fall and many others, Endsight will be a loud and energetic closure of the first day of the festival.

DAY 2

• Hedvika were formed in Athens, Greece in spring 2011 in order to deliver heavy tunes in the vein of Neurosis, Isis, Fall Of Efrafa, Electric Wizard and the likes. After spending some quality time in the studio making demo recordings, the band started performing live and scheduled some winter gigs for 2012-2013.Simultaneously they began the arduous task of giving birth to their first endeavor entitled “The Evidence Of Absence” , a concept album for our own expanding universes. Currently, Hedvika continue their journey in the stellar plains composing new tracks combining atmosphere and heaviness through their own prism.
• Hostage are a modern thrash metal band from Lamia, formed in 2011 by Christos Panayitsas (guitar) and Sakis Lambrou (bass). That same year they were joined by Sotos Dimitropoulos on drums (also in MALICIOUS SILENCE) and slowly the band created the first songs while in search of a vocalist. After several choices and changes in this position, Marios Papapavlou (also drums in EXTREME VIOLENCE, ANGSTRIDDEN, BAG A HEAD, DEVASTATION OF LIFE) joined the band in 2012. During this year made their first live appearances and finished recording four songs for the release of their first record attempt, a mini cd which was released in March 2013 called'' Control Through Fear''. A self-funded effort which contains 4 songs (plus an introduction) brutal and ferocious thrash metal inspired by the '90s and '00 and bands with a more extreme character sound like THE HAUNTED, GRIP INC., SLAYER, DEW SCENTED etc. The band continued its live appearances, is currently seeking record companies, and create and rehearse new songs for the release of their debut album in 2014. Catch the recorded version of an interview they gave here in Heavy & Unhealthy.
• Allochiria were created by the need of its' members to share thoughts and sounds with the world. They play music inspired by the pioneers of post-metal scene (Neurosis, Isis, Cult of Luna) and the wider sludge/post-rock /psychedelic space, while taking cues from whatever is around them and influence them. They released their first title in 2010 while ac line in mid-2012 completed the lineup with a change made in the field of voice. Since then, they have made many live with bands of the domestic scene. Allochiria will present live tracks from their first album, where the theme revolves around the average person, the alienation that exists in a society where everyone is afraid of the other and the psychological implications of this phenomenon. 
• Serenity Broken, five comme-il-faut derelicts hailing from different parts of Athens, play hard rock with some alternative & grunge puffs since early 2010. 2012 was marked as the year the band released their first record essay (Commercial Suicide), which gathered some serious reviews. Metalstorm put the release next to some Deftones, Gojira, Stone Sour etc. as a strong candidate for «BEST ALTERNATIVE METAL ALBUM 2012».
• Above Us The Waves is a five member band from the city of Kavala. The sound of AUTW contains elements of melodic death metal and hardcore and focuses on heavy riffs and powerful melodies.The band was formed by Vasilis (guitar) and Theodore (drums) and after several changes, the addition of George (guitar), Dino (bass) and Vangelis (vocals) completed the line up. So far AUTW have recorded a demo CD (2009) and a promo EP (2011) and have given many concerts in various cities. 2013 finds the band more active than ever as they record their first album with the help of Stelios Koslidi (Head Cleaner, Kin Beneath Chorus), touring across Greece (The legion aflame tour) and Bulgaria (Headlining Show in Sofia), getting signed by Spreading Dysphoria Industries Records and releasing their first video clip. The album is en route to be released during this summer. Expect their appearance at this year's DEFCON Fest anxiously.

DAY 3 

• Automaton were formed in Athens in 2011. Their music is characterized by doom/psychedelic drone sounds, influenced by stoner and heavy metal. Their first live performance took place in May 2012 and since then the band has been actively involved in the underground scene of Athens. They recorded their first album in MOTHStudio, an EP of 30 minutes, which will be released for the first time at DEFCON Fest.
• Audiobreed have been based in Piraeus since 2008. Their music is a combination of Heavy Rock, Stoner Rock and Southern Metal. In 2012 and after several changes in their line-up, the band recorded their first album "All Shades of Colours, but Only Red I See" which will be released in 2013.
• Bombing The Avenue is a progressive heavy rock band from Athens. It all began in 2010 when Dimitris, Panos and Jason, three brothers from Vari decided to form the band. The bands' first live appearance was in September 2010 in Kyttaro Club in Athens. So far the band has performed in the majority of the Athenian rock clubs, in a big festival of school bands (Schoolwave) and at Technopolis festival in the center of Athens. Bombing The Avenue never miss their chance to play live and constantly evolve their performances, having supported live bands such as Brotherhood of Sleep, Semen of the Sun and Truckfighters. The band has already released a 6 track EP and are currently in the process of recording their first full-length album which will be released after this summer. 
• Beyond Perception were formed in the summer of 2004 by Kostas Kalavrezou (guitar), Panos Kalavrezou (bass), Tolis Toleas (drums) and Paris Poukamisas (vocals, guitar), as a Progressive/Metal project, and recorded their first self-released demo. After a while, the band took a different direction, influenced mainly by Sludge/Hardcore/Stoner/Southern Metal sounds, welcoming in their line-up Panos Karnaris (from WFDD) on vocals. They have already released 2 full length albums, the "The final descent" and "Blood & Whiskey". In the summer of 2012 they made a change in their line-up with Makis Makoulas taking the place of Panos Karnaris as frontman and lead singer of the band. Beyond Perception have shared the stage with bands such as "Spiritual Beggars", "Annihilator", "Goran Bregovic", "Ava Inferi" (Rune Eriksen Doom Project, Mayhem, Aura Noir), "Nightstalker", "Suicidal Angels", "Rotting Christ" and many others. Their goal for 2013 is to tour in Europe and finding a record label to host for their new material. They are currently working on their third album, which is to be released in 2013.
• Beginning in early 2011, Half Gramme Of Soma tried the combination of Heavy Rock sound with a variety of influences culminating in the release of their debut self-titled album earlier this year. Marching onward with a renewed lineup and material from their upcoming release, HGoS are always ready fornoisy and intense live performances, one of which will also be closing this year's DEFCON Fest. Catch the recorded interview of Half Gramme Of Soma here.

This concludes the current line-up of this year's DEFCON FEST. An audio treat if you ask me...
At the festival there will be counters with merchandise from the bands, releases by Trailblazer Records, art prints  by Vance Kelly, creator of this years' festival poster, as well as merchandise from other labels and distros.

Doors open at 20.30 every day.
Admission: €6 per day

Gig Mayhem Part II

May is coming to an end, but as the Americans say: 'It ain't over till the fat lady sings'...
So buckle up, here it comes:

Brutality Over Sanity Deathfest part III will take place in two different places, on two consecutive days. So, on Saturday the 25th of May at AN Club the Athenians can watch Defeated Sanity perform for the first time ever on Greek soil! The party will start early (doors open at 15:00) with the likes of Abyssus, Delete The Mass, One Of These Days, Abnormal Inhumane, War Possession, The Anal Treatment XXXperience, Resurgency, Mortal Torment, Head Cleaner and Death Courier. Come early and have in hand 8 euros. You can always re-listen to the Mortal Torment Heavy & Unhealthy session over here.
The Brutality continues the next day at Salonica, at Eightball live stage. Defeated Sanity will headline once more with the support of Decomposed Existence, Wreckage, Ixpapalotl, Birth Through Gore, Carnal Redemption, Mallediction, Nocturnal Vomit, Necrovorous and Terrordrome. Entrance fee and opening time are the same. BREEEEEE


The next week in Athens there is a tight schedule:

After 2 years of silence, Athenian heavy-metalers Speedblow return with a fresh line-up and an even fresher EP. On Thursday the 30th of May AN Club will host the Ressurection of Speedblow, with special guests the alternative rock 'n rollers Superpuma and surf punk rockers The Drains. The entrance fee is only 6 euros and the doors open at 20:30 sharp(ish) but you should get there early if you want to get your hands on one of the 100 hand-numbered copies of the new Speedblow EP. Keep your eyes and ears open, because the day before the live Speedblow will be coming to the Studio for a Heavy & Unhealthy session (poster and event soon to follow). Here's a fresh cliffhanger till then:

The next day, same bat time, same bat channel : 

True southern metal from Salonica. An oxymoron? Not really, Shock Absorber are known to deliver southern audio quality despite their northern whereabouts. Promoting their upcoming second full length album 'Knife To A Gunfight', Shock Absorber will rock the cock with the likes of Chalchidian (and i quote) 'Groovy Space Ass Stoner Rockers' Routes and Athenian Volcanic Rockers Puta Volcano. Yet again at AN Club, doors open at 20:30 and the entrance fee is 8 euros. Check out Gig Mayhem Part I for the rest of the May gigs.


June starts very promising with this. But wait, the Summer Saga continues:

For 9 consecutive years, the New Long Fest has been bringing the pain! This year, on the weekend of the 20th and the 21st of July, Nea Makri will burn to the ground! On Saturday the 20th of July, the festival starts with a more progressive audio aura: Lucky Funeral, Agnes Vein, Universe217, Acid Death, Show Your Face, Lunatic Medlar, The Voldera Cult and 3Fold Pain will kick-start this years festival. Almost all of these bands have some fresh or upcoming material, so do yourself a favor and come down to check them out. After midnight, you can chill to Xenofon Razis acoustic set.
The next day is dedicated to the more thrashy-deathy-extremy sound of the greek metal scene. Sarabante, Exarsis, Wreckage, Bio-Cancer, Insane Court, Disolvo Animus, DreamLongDead and All Vows Collapse conclude the line-up of the New Long Fest 2013. The festival starts at 17:30 on both days, and the entrance is practically free: only 2 euros per day! DO NOT MISS!!!

That's all from me now, catch you at a live show near you, or at our weekly rendez-vous, every Wednesday 20:00-22:00 at Radio Zografou.
Cheers Beers
\m/

Gig Mayhem

Dear minions,
as many of you may have observed, I've updated the blog with a little addition called Gigs (scroll down and keep your eyes to the left). From now on I intend to update the content of that space with posters and links of upcoming gigs and events that Heavy & Unhealthy and Radio Zografou co-sponsor and/or support. So, without further ado, I proudly present:

Lucky Funeral headline this one and they will present their latest release Find Your Soul In Beautiful Lunatics produced and distributed by their own newly founded label Lychnopolis. Supporting acts are Allochiria and Sadhus(The Smokin Community). Have a listen at past radio interviews with Lucky Funeral and Sadhus here and here. The gig takes place on friday 17th of May at AN Club. Doors open at 21:00 and the ticket is only 5 euros.


On  Friday the 24th of May shit is going down:

Having just returned from a long month on the roads of Europe, desert fuzz wizards 1000mods will once more dominate the stage of An Club. Supporting acts are heavy rock newcomers Half Gramme Of Soma and doom/sludge duo Omega Monolith. Catch the past Heavy & Unhealthy radio session with 1000mods and Half Gramme Of Soma here and here. This live extravaganza will take place at AN Club starting at 21:30 sharp! Entrance fee is 6 euros.


On that very same day there's another gig for all the sludge/doom/stoner lovers. Check this out:

Bad Trip headline and present their latest release also entitled 'Bad Trip' (which, by the way, is a freebie, so go grab now!). Supporting acts are once more Sadhus (The Smokin Community) and Last Rizla. Cool stuff right there, the gig takes place at Zero, the doors open at 21:30 and the entrance is free, but you will dig deep in your pocket to support the bands goddammit! After the live sessions you can stick around and chill the fuck out.

The day after, there is a shitstorm coming from the Aegean sea, specifically from Syros Island. Dearly beloved Dewie has done it again! Grab a bathing suit, some sunscreen lotion and a six-pack and catch the morning boat to Syros if you want to be a part of:

Undah The Moon Live N Party will take place at the university of Syros and the live section will feature Bad Trip, Syros' local heroes Monk and Uncle Boozer and last, but not least, Last Rizla, hailing from Syros but situated in Athens. Following the live sessions there will be DJ Sets and some more booze. Phack Sponsorz!


To conclude this epic-mega post, I give you this:

Fuck, I don't have to describe line-ups and what not 'cause shiiiiiiiiit!!!
Tardive Dyskinesia, Potergeist, Lucky Funeral, Maplerun, Drunk Motherfuckers, Puta Volcano and 2thebone will tear Gagarin205 apart on Saturday the 8th of June. Doors open at 19:30 and the entrance fee is only 5 euros (which will go to the institution for the homeless Anakoufisi, so you can do some charity while you fuckin' get wasted). Catch the recorded version of Tardive Dyskinesia vs Heavy & Unhealthy radio session over here and look forward to a radio interview with Potergeist on the 5th of June by yours truly.

PS1: Stay tuned for the next Heavy & Unhealthy radio session (Wednesdays 20:00 - 22:00 at Radio Zografou) because I'll be giving away some tickets for the Lucky Funeral/Sadhus/Allochiria gig and because shut the fuck up and listen to Heavy & Unhealthy.
PS2: Check out the Labels thingy (scroll down, eyes to the left). I did it so you can find shit easier. I also did it for the lulz.

Over And Out
\m/

Static Greek Tour 2013

All of you Greek metal-heads can now start rejoicing, since Static Greek Tour is at close hand. Headliners of the tour are the progressive, post-metal monsters Tardive Dyskinesia promoting their latest album 'Static Apathy In Fast Forward'.
The Static Greek Tour is co-sponsored by Radio Zografou, host of Heavy & Unhealthy.
You can always listen to the past Heavy & Unhealthy session of Tardive Dyskinesia here.
Let the moshing begin!
\m/