LIVE REPORT: METHEDRAS / PIRANHA / CLEAVERCULT (18/10/2024)

 

On the night of October 18th, 2024, the upper floor of Thessaloniki's Eightball Club hosted a concert that featured CLEAVERCULT, PIRANHA, and METHEDRAS. Despite a disappointingly small crowd, these bands earned my respect for their professionalism and passion. They performed their setlists with energy and enthusiasm, undeterred by the sparse audience, truly embodying the spirit of live music.

The lack of turnout could be attributed to several factors: another concert was happening downstairs at the same time, it was a weekday, and economic constraints often lead the Thessaloniki crowd to be selective when it comes to attending shows. This raises concerns about the difficulty in seeing new bands in the city, as audiences often gravitate towards the familiar.

CLEAVERCULT had the unenviable task of opening the night. Over the course of 30 to 40 minutes, they demonstrated their cohesion as a band, delivering their old-school death metal with thrash and black metal elements with conviction. Despite their classic influences, they didn’t sound dated. With more live shows under their belt, their stage presence and confidence are bound to grow.

Next up were Athens-based PIRANHA, a band that has been active since 1987. Their blend of thrash and death metal, combined with their seasoned experience, made for an impressive performance. I particularly appreciated the harmonious infusion of classic heavy metal elements and atmosphere into their sound, adding depth and variety to their aggressive style. PIRANHA are a band well worth catching live.

Finally, the Italian METHEDRAS took the stage, bringing their modern thrash metal sound, packed with grooves, to the fore. Drawing influence from Pantera, later-era Sepultura, and fellow Italians Extrema (a fact they confirmed in an interview with me), their performance was anchored by the fiery passion of vocalist Rex Caruso. Guitarist Daniele Colombo’s solos were stellar, while bassist Andrea Bochi and the drummer provided a solid, driving rhythm section. If they return to Thessaloniki, I highly recommend seeing them live.

Text by Nick Parastatidis

Photos by Joanna Gonas