Uli Jon Roth Live in Thessaloniki | Block 33 — A Night of Neo-Classical Rock Mastery

 

The legendary guitarist and visionary of rock music, Uli Jon Roth, brought his extraordinary artistry to Thessaloniki for a memorable live performance at Block 33. The concert marked a major moment in his ongoing Virgin Killer 50th Anniversary Tour, celebrating half a century since the release of one of the most iconic albums in rock history.

A Celebration of a Legendary Era

In 2026, Uli Jon Roth is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking Scorpions album Virgin Killer. Widely regarded as a pioneering force in neo-classical rock guitar, Roth was a defining member of Scorpions between 1974 and 1978. During this period, he co-shaped the band’s early sound through landmark albums such as Fly To The Rainbow, In Trance, and Virgin Killer—the latter achieving gold status worldwide.

His signature playing style, blending emotional depth with technical brilliance, has influenced generations of guitarists and continues to stand as a benchmark of expressive rock performance.

Opening Act: Destiny Calls Set the Tone

The evening began with strong energy from the Athens-based hard rock band Destiny Calls, who delivered a tight and engaging set that immediately connected with the audience. Their performance included tracks such as:

• Better Days
• Alive
• Lonely Days, Lonely Nights
• Out of Love
• Angel
• Into the Night
• Hide Your Heart (KISS cover / Bonnie Tyler version)
• Tonight

Their set was met with enthusiastic reception and left a very positive impression on the crowd, effectively warming up the atmosphere for the main act.

Uli Jon Roth: A Masterclass in Guitar Expression

When Uli Jon Roth took the stage, the audience was treated to a deeply artistic and emotionally charged journey through both his solo material and his legendary Scorpions-era classics.

The performance opened with pieces from his current artistic project Pictures of Our Destiny, showcasing Roth’s continued evolution as a composer and musician. From the very beginning, his presence commanded attention, blending introspective melodies with soaring guitar passages.

Although there were minor sound issues at the start of the set, they were quickly resolved, allowing the performance to flow seamlessly. What followed was a masterclass in tone, phrasing, and emotional storytelling through guitar.

Setlist Highlights

Roth’s set spanned a wide musical spectrum, including classical influences, solo compositions, and defining Scorpions-era songs:

• Sehnsucht
• Mozart: Klaviersonate Nr. 11 in A-Dur, K. 331 (III. Alla Turca)
• Mozart: Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen
• The Cry
• Spirit of the Heart
• Sky Overture
• Pictured Life
• Catch Your Train
• In Your Park
• Backstage Queen
• Virgin Killer
• Hell-Cat
• Crying Days
• Polar Nights
• Yellow Raven
• Sun in My Hand
• We’ll Burn the Sky
• The Sails of Charon
• In Trance

Each piece was delivered with remarkable precision and emotional depth, reminding the audience why Roth is considered one of the most influential guitarists in rock history. His improvisational passages, in particular, showcased a rare ability to merge technical virtuosity with heartfelt expression.

A Night to Remember

The concert at Block 33 was more than a nostalgic tribute—it was a living, breathing celebration of musical innovation and artistic legacy. Uli Jon Roth once again proved that his music is not confined to the past, but continues to evolve, inspire, and resonate deeply with audiences.

From the powerful opening by Destiny Calls to the transcendent main set, the night stood as a testament to the enduring power of rock music when guided by true artistic vision.

TEXT: Nick Parastatidis

PHOTOS/VIDEOS: Theofilos Bachtsevanidis

REVIEW: WARRANT – Ready to Command 2010

 

WARRANT – Ready to Command 2010

Pure Steel Records

This CD is a compilation release by the German power/speed metal band WARRANT, which should not be confused with the American hard rock band of the same name. The German WARRANT first released the EP First Strike in 1985, followed later that same year by their full-length debut album The Enforcer.

Ready to Command brings together material from both releases and also includes two songs intended for the band's unreleased second album. These tracks, "Flame on the Show" and "When the Sirens Call", are both very strong compositions and offer an interesting glimpse into the band's musical direction beyond their officially released studio material. The compilation is further enhanced by the inclusion of two live tracks, providing additional value for collectors and longtime fans.

Among the songs from the First Strike EP, the tracks that stood out the most to me were "Satan" and "Bang That Head", both showcasing the band's energetic speed metal approach and memorable songwriting. From The Enforcer, I particularly enjoyed the anthemic "Nuns Have No Fun" and the title track, which remain some of the strongest examples of the band's classic sound.

Musically, WARRANT deliver exactly what fans of mid-1980s German speed and power metal would expect: fast-paced riffs, powerful vocals, and a raw, energetic atmosphere. While they may not have achieved the same recognition as some of their contemporaries, the quality of the material presented here demonstrates that they were a solid and capable band within the genre.

Fans of old-school speed and power metal should certainly consider adding this compilation to their collection. For listeners less familiar with the band, Ready to Command serves as an interesting and worthwhile introduction to a lesser-known but noteworthy act from the German metal scene.

Ioannis  Kaskamanidis

REVIEW: PARADISE LOST, The Plague Within

 

PARADISE LOST, The Plague Within (2015)

Century Media Records

Σαν από μια άλλη εποχή τους

Αυτός ο δίσκος εξακολουθεί να μου αρέσει πολύ, ακόμη και δέκα χρόνια μετά την κυκλοφορία του. Οι βασιλιάδες του Atmospheric Doom/Gothic Metal, σε όλα τα άλμπουμ της μετά το 2003 εποχής τους, φαίνεται πως έχουν βαλθεί αφενός να σβήσουν τη μακρινή πλέον ανάμνηση της ζοφερής προσπάθειας να γίνουν οι Depeche Mode της βαριάς μουσικής και αφετέρου να αποδείξουν ότι διαθέτουν ακόμη όρεξη και έμπνευση: όχι για να επαναλάβουν κατά γράμμα τον εαυτό τους, αλλά για να πατήσουν πάνω στον ήχο που τους ανέδειξε και να τον εξελίξουν.

Αυτό ακριβώς κάνουν και στο The Plague Within («Ο Εσωτερικός Λοιμός»), λειτουργώντας σχεδόν σαν προφήτες, τουλάχιστον όσον αφορά τον τίτλο, αφού κυριολεκτικά προέβλεψαν τι θα συνέβαινε έξι χρόνια αργότερα. Ο Nick Holmes δίνει έμφαση στη φωνή του όπου χρειάζεται, ενώ χρησιμοποιεί και τα growls του σε ορισμένα σημεία, όπως συνέβαινε και στα τρία πρώτα άλμπουμ τους. Οι Greg McIntosh και Aaron Aedy στις κιθάρες αποδεικνύουν για ακόμη μία φορά τι είναι ικανοί να συνθέσουν, ενώ ο Steven Edmondson στο μπάσο και ο Adrian Erlandsson στα τύμπανα αποτελούν τη γνώριμη, σταθερή ρυθμική βάση που ξέρουμε ότι μπορούν να προσφέρουν.

Με τα «No Hope in Sight», «Terminal», «An Eternity of Lies», «Punishment Through Time», «Beneath Broken Earth», «Victim of the Past» και «Return to the Sun» να ξεχωρίζουν λίγο περισσότερο από τα υπόλοιπα κομμάτια, έχουμε ακόμη ένα εξαιρετικά ποιοτικό δείγμα δουλειάς από τους Paradise Lost. Για άλλη μία φορά.

English:

Like Something from Another Era of Theirs

This album still holds up remarkably well for me, even ten years after its release. The kings of Atmospheric Doom/Gothic Metal seem, throughout their post-2003 output, to have set themselves two goals: on the one hand, to erase the now distant memory of their ill-fated attempt to become the Depeche Mode of heavy music, and on the other, to prove that they still possess both the drive and the inspiration to move forward—not by simply repeating themselves, but by building upon the sound that made them who they are and taking it further.

That is exactly what they achieve on The Plague Within, an album that almost seems prophetic, at least in terms of its title, given that it quite literally anticipated what would unfold six years later. Nick Holmes delivers a vocal performance that emphasizes exactly what needs to be emphasized, while also bringing back his growls at key moments, much like he did on the band's first three albums. Meanwhile, Greg McIntosh and Aaron Aedy once again demonstrate just how much they are capable of crafting with their guitar work, while Steven Edmondson on bass and Adrian Erlandsson on drums provide the familiar, dependable rhythmic foundation we have come to expect from them.

With “No Hope in Sight,” “Terminal,” “An Eternity of Lies,” “Punishment Through Time,” “Beneath Broken Earth,” “Victim of the Past,” and “Return to the Sun” shining just a little brighter than the rest, The Plague Within stands as yet another exceptionally strong release from Paradise Lost. Once again.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: AMON AMARTH, Surtur Rising

 

AMON AMARTH, Surtur Rising (2011)

Metal Blade Records

Έγερση του Λυκόφωτος στη Βαλχάλα

Ο μαύρος γίγαντας με το φλεγόμενο σπαθί, ο οποίος θα οδηγήσει στην τελική φάση του Ragnarok τον πόλεμο εναντίον των θεών και του προσωπικού του αντιπάλου, Freyr, αποτελεί την πηγή έμπνευσης για το όγδοο άλμπουμ των Σουηδών Melodic Death Metallers. Συχνά τους κατατάσσουμε και στο Viking Metal αν χρειαστεί· έτσι κι αλλιώς, αν τα φωνητικά δεν ήταν growls αλλά υψίφωνα, η μουσική τους θα ήταν καθαρό, επικό Power Metal.

Πρόκειται για έναν δίσκο που κινείται σταθερά στην ίδια πορεία που έχουμε συνηθίσει από το συγκρότημα. Ξέρουμε ακριβώς τι πρόκειται να ακούσουμε εδώ μέσα, καθώς δεν χωράνε —και δεν υπάρχουν— εκπλήξεις. Με κομμάτια σαν τα War of the Gods, Tock's Taunt, Loke's Treachery Pt. II, Destroyer of the Universe, Slaves of Fear, The Last Stand of Frej, For Victory or Death, Wrath of the Norsemen και Doom Over Dead Man να αποτελούν τα πιο στιβαρά του συνόλου, μιλάμε αναμφίβολα για ένα από τα πιο δυνατά έργα της δισκογραφίας τους.

English:

Twilight Rising over Valhalla

The black giant with the flaming sword, who will lead the war against the gods and his personal nemesis, Freyr, into the final phase of Ragnarok, serves as the inspiration for the eighth album by the Swedish Melodic Death Metallers. We often label them as Viking Metal if needed; either way, if the vocals weren’t growls but high-pitched, their music would be pure, epic Power Metal.

This is a record that treads steadily along the exact same path we've come to expect from the band. We know precisely what we are going to hear inside, as there is no room for—nor are there any—surprises. With tracks like War of the Gods, Tock's Taunt, Loke's Treachery Pt. II, Destroyer of the Universe, Slaves of Fear, The Last Stand of Frej, For Victory or Death, Wrath of the Norsemen, and Doom Over Dead Man forming the backbone of the album, this is undoubtedly one of the strongest works in their discography.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης!

REVIEW: SYRENS CALL – Raging Waters

 

SYRENS CALL – Raging Waters

Pervade Productions / Manitou Music

Initially, the landscape of symphonic and gothic metal was shaped by bands like NIGHTWISH, followed by EPICA, both of which achieved significant success by blending elements of power metal with gothic atmospheres. Their ability to craft memorable melodies and distinctive compositions drew widespread attention from fans across both genres—and beyond.

Originating from France, SYRENS CALL’s third release, Raging Waters, appears to draw inspiration from these influential bands, echoing their stylistic traits while incorporating occasional KAMELOT influences. The musicianship displayed on this album is undeniably proficient; the band demonstrates tightness and technical skill throughout. However, despite their professionalism, the release suffers from a lack of originality in melodic development and compositional ideas.

The melodies and tunes presented are largely generic, often sounding familiar—almost as if they've been heard elsewhere before. This predictability diminishes the album’s potential impact, making it difficult to distinguish SYRENS CALL from other acts within the genre. While the musicians are clearly capable, their compositions lack the distinctive personality or innovative elements necessary to captivate listeners repeatedly.

In my view, SYRENS CALL has the potential to develop a unique sound that sets them apart. Continued efforts to craft more memorable, original melodies and to infuse their music with a personal touch could elevate their work significantly. I look forward to future releases where they might find that distinctive voice, and I would be pleased to revisit and review their evolving artistry when that occurs.

Nick Parastatidis

BrainMaze Drops Powerful New Cinematic Single “Nightmare & Reality”

 

Bulgarian groove/thrash metal force BrainMaze has officially unleashed their latest single, “Nightmare & Reality,” marking a massive cinematic milestone for the independent global project. Following the success of their 2024 debut album, When Your Demons Come, the band’s newest track continues to plunge deep into the themes of internal struggle and the subconscious mind.

Operating completely without creative or geographical borders, BrainMaze is the brainchild of Bulgarian mastermind Ivan Shishkov. To deliver the track's crushing yet atmospheric sound, Shishkov assembled a powerhouse international lineup of elite musicians from across the globe, including vocalist Rob Davies (UK), guitarists Ramon Martinez (Venezuela) and German Maldonado (Argentina), midi-drummer Fabian Troya (Ecuador), and acoustic drummer Fabio Alessandrini (Italy).

To match the ambitious scale of the song, BrainMaze tapped some of the metal world's finest production talent. The single was mixed by Ukraine's Ilarion Ivanenko and mastered at the legendary Finnvox Studios in Finland by Mika Jussila, known for his iconic work with bands like Nightwish and Children of Bodom. The result is a sonically massive, emotionally raw blend of groove and thrash metal that proves BrainMaze is a rising international project to watch.

THE WARNING: DRIVEN BY A DEEP LOVE OF MUSIC

 

The three Mexican sisters are on their way to rock star fame

Reading time: 5 minutes | Listening time: You decide!

Guest article from musician and psychologist Ben Sollberger from Berne / Switzerland

Once more, love wins– How it all started

Some weeks ago, while browsing YouTube, I came across a short video in which a young female bassist with long black hair delivered a sinister and incredibly powerful bass line right at the beginning of a concert. She commanded the stage like a true rock star. She immediately grabbed my full attention. Just a few minutes later, I discovered that this bassist — Alejandra Villarreal — and her two older sisters, Daniela (guitar) and Paulina (drums), are in fact rock stars. That was the moment my love affair with the Mexican band The Warning began.

But maybe the more interesting question is: How did their love affair with music start?

Luis Villarreal and his wife Mónica from Monterrey, Mexico, never learned to play an instrument themselves. Yet they passed on their profound love of music to their three daughters by exposing them to an incredibly wide range of genres: Classic Rock and Arena Rock, Modern Alternative Rock, Pop, Piano-Driven Legends, Classical Music, and everything in between.

From Cover Versions to Original Songs and Back

“Infected” by this passion at a very early age, all three sisters began learning piano. A few years later, when Daniela (then 11) took up the guitar and Paulina (then 9) the drums, Alejandra (at age 7) decided to learn bass. Not long after, the three realized they already had everything they needed to form a rock trio. They started practicing cover versions in their rehearsal room and uploading them to YouTube — for example “We’re Not Gonna Take It” by Twisted Sister or “Resistance” by Muse.

Their electrifying version of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” recorded when they were 9, 12, and 14 years old, quickly went viral. To this day, the video has over 27 million views. It remains a powerful testament to both their remarkable talent and the deep love of music their parents had instilled in them.

Not much later The Warning began writing their own original songs. In 2017 they got the chance to present some of them on the prestigious TED Talks series. Besides delivering stunning performances of three songs from their first full-length album XXI Century Blood, they also spoke about their experiences in the music business.

Their advice — which can be seen as excellent general life advice — can be summarized as follows: Do what you love, believe in yourself, work hard, and don’t believe every crap others tell you — especially adults.

As a psychologist who has been interested in happiness and mental health for two decades, I really couldn’t agree more.

As you can see in the video, they already had it all back then: They were masters of their instruments, could all sing beautifully, had great stage presence, and wrote really strong songs rooted not only in (hard) rock, but also in musical theatre and classical elements. The level of love, passion, and skill that drummer Paulina brings to the first song “Unmendable” still gets me choked up every time.

That The Warning were able to grab the full attention of audiences at such a young age had a lot to do with how hard-working and focused they were. This very raw yet stunningly virtuosic rehearsal-room version of “Dull Knives (Cut Better)” perfectly illustrates their breathtaking determination — they already acted like rock stars long before the world knew what was coming. That’s the power of manifestation!

In 2021, six years after their childhood “Enter Sandman” cover, Metallica personally invited The Warning to record a new version of the song for the official tribute album The Metallica Blacklist — marking the 30th anniversary of The Black Album.

Together with Canadian singer Alessia Cara, they created a markedly different, more somber and reflective interpretation. While they kept the original vocal melody lines, they changed the chords underneath in a very elegant way.

In the past few years, The Warning have become a highly sought-after support act for major bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters, Halestorm and others. In 2023 they were invited by Muse as support for several European dates. Matt Bellamy, singer and guitarist of Muse, was so impressed that he gave Daniela one of his signature guitars as a gift. She could even choose the colour of it, she once said with a smile in an interview.

(Not too) Deep Dive into the harmonic recipe for greatness

Nearly 20 years ago, I wrote my doctoral dissertation on the relationship between music and emotion. One central finding was why certain pieces of music move us so deeply. The music of The Warning is a perfect example of this.

Although it is mostly based on minor scales, it rarely sounds sad. When you combine minor keys with high energy and mid-to-high tempo, you get music that touches the heart through beautiful melodies and vocal harmonies while the drive makes your blood boil. Think of “The Trooper” or “The Evil That Men Do” by Iron Maiden, “Love Gun” or “Detroit Rock City” by Kiss, “Metalingus” or “Ties That Bind” by Alter Bridge, or “Beat It” by Michael Jackson — same story, folks.

Great examples of this “ass-kicking minor” formula in The Warning’s music are:

They also like to throw in single notes and intervals that don’t belong in pure minor scales, such as the dark, sinister-sounding Phrygian half-tone interval. Good examples are the intros and main riffs of:

Can you hear the sinisterness? If not, think of the guitar riff during the intro and verses of Megadeth’s “Symphony of Destruction” — there you go!

Where from here? A final Warning.

Currently, The Warning are touring the the U.S., supporting the English musician Yungblud. On June 25th, they will play their first European show in Norway. If you are lucky, they are coming to a town near you, see: Tour - The Warning Official Store. I advise you not to miss them!

Lovers of the band use the slogan “You have been warned!” whenever their music catches someone’s soul. As I wrote in the beginning, this happened to me just some weeks ago.

Will you be warned, too?