A Night of Metal in Thessaloniki: YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/ANDRY/SPIRIT WAR

 

On August 7, 2025, the French band SPIRIT WAR, a powerful trio, took the stage at Moni Lazariston in Thessaloniki, Greece, opening for the legendary Yngwie Malmsteen. Despite a slight delay due to some initial audio issues, the band delivered a powerful and convincing performance. They played for about half an hour, showcasing songs from their debut album, Between Dusk And Dawn. The enthusiastic and highly energetic trio treated the crowd to a dynamic blend of melodic heavy metal and hard rock, with memorable tracks like "Never Give Up" and "Fight to Survive" leaving a strong impression. Their stage presence and musicality set a high-energy tone for the rest of the evening.

Following SPIRIT WAR, the stage was taken by ANDRY, a band fronted by vocalist Andry Lagiou. The group performed a set of melodic heavy/power metal, demonstrating a high level of musicianship. Andry's vocal delivery and stage presence were notable. The sound quality was inconsistent, with a prominent bass mix that at times obscured other musical details. The band's setlist included original songs such as "Mistress of the Night," "Skies," and "Black Hole," as well as a cover of the Deep Purple track "Burn."

Closing the night as the headliner was the legendary guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, who delivered a performance that was a masterclass in his unique style. His virtuoso playing and sophisticated compositional ideas created a sonic landscape where heavy metal, rock, and classical and baroque music coexisted in a harmonious and powerful fusion. The comprehensive setlist served as a journey through his illustrious career, and included "Rising Force," "Top Down / No Rest for the Wicked," "Soldier," "Into Valhalla / Baroque & Roll," "Relentless Fury," "Like an Angel (For April)," "Now Your Ships Are Burned," "Wolves at the Door," "(Si Vis Pacem) Parabellum," his interpretations of classical masters like Johann Sebastian Bach's "Badinerie" and Niccolò Paganini's "Paganini's 4th / Adagio," a medley of "Far Beyond the Sun / Bohemian Rhapsody," "Seventh Sign," "Toccata," "Fire and Ice," "Evil Eye," and the Deep Purple cover "Smoke on the Water." The performance continued with "Trilogy (Vengeance)," a "Guitar Solo - Overture," "Blue," a "Fugue / Guitar Solo," and "You Don't Remember, I'll Never Forget." The night concluded with a powerful encore that included an acoustic guitar solo and the iconic "I'll See the Light Tonight," leaving no doubt as to the masterful skill and enduring legacy of the Swedish guitar god.

The triple-bill concert at Moni Lazariston in Thessaloniki on August 7, 2025, provided a varied evening of heavy music. The performances by SPIRIT WAR, ANDRY, and headliner Yngwie Malmsteen each contributed to the overall event, showcasing different styles within the rock and metal genres. The night offered a spectrum of musical approaches, from the opening acts to the virtuosic closing performance, concluding the event in Thessaloniki.

TEXT: Nick Parastatidis

PHOTOS/VIDEOS: Theofilos Bachtsevanidis