Balothizer - Antifa Syrtos

BALOTHIZER are a heavy psych power trio who describe their renditions of Greek island Crete’s traditional music as “post- Cretan”. Their following however has come up with a tagline that defines their concoction of thrash metal with acid-blotted Cretan folk… Cretan Music From Hell!

Crete’s musical tradition can with no doubt be described as prosperous and vibrant. Prosperous because it is overwhelmed with a variety of musical timbres; and vibrant, because it still continues to frame the every day life of its residents. Cretan history is engraved in its musical tradition.

Crete has suffered many conquerors; each leaving behind them a pebble, which in time, became part of the island's musical mosaic. The Ancient Greeks left their love for nature and pagan traditions, the Byzantines left introversion and medieval elements; the Venetians left their refined tastes, the Moors left behind them a pirate mentality and the Ottomans left an oriental flavour. After centuries of conquests, the inhabitants of the island developed their own unique musical character - carved from the roughness of rocky mountains, the energy of sea waves, the belligerent mood of the guerrilla, the sorrow and pain of romantic encounters and a Pagan's love of nature. In addition to this unique musical character, the Cretan People also displayed their tremendous fighting spirit by defending their beloved island against the threat of fascism during WWII. The sentiments of anti fascism still live large in the Cretan Spirit. This constantly evolving blend of cultures, over a period of 5000 years, gave birth to the instrument that is pivotal to the music that is so typical of this region;

The Cretan Lute: A steel string bass Mandola played with a highly percussive strumming style. During the 1970's, the musicians of Crete established a trend of combining Cretan lute with valve amplification, and as a consequence this highly aggressive and distinctly resonant sound was born. The very fibre and make up of Cretan culture has so much in common with the modern sentiments of Punk & Rock'n'Roll that it became an irresistible temptation to this multifarious trio of musicians.

BALOTHIZER ARE:

Pav Mav - Bass, Lead Vocals

Nikos Ziarkas - Cretan Lute, Vocals, Electronics

Stephen John Payne - Drums, Vocals 

Today's tune "Antifa Syrtos" is taken from "Cretan Music from Hell", released November 30, 2018, enjoy!





More info @

Official Balothizer Bandcamp

Listen to ”Balothizer - Antifa Syrtos" on Spotify!

Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify!

Rotting Christ - Fire And Flame

The Greek black metal band ROTTING CHRIST released a tune titled “Fire And Flame”. The track was recorded for the book, "The Metal Chapters: Volume One".

Greek book "The Metal Chapters: Volume One" features ten stories written through songs by some of the biggest Greek metal bands on the planet. Readers have the opportunity not only to read the story inspired by the authors of each song but to read the lyrics of the tracks and listen to the CD that accompanies the book. One of the bands chosen for the project was ROTTING CHRIST, and they are now streaming their contribution to the book online. Enjoy "Fire And Flame" below!

"Fire And Flame," sounds ritualistic and melodic, a great tune indeed.



More info @

Official Rotting Christ Web

Listen to ”v - Fire And Flame" on Spotify!

Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify!

1000mods - Pearl

Having risen from smoky basements to packed arenas, 1000MODS can be considered no less than the most successful Greek rock band of the past decade.

Deriving equally from the glorious 90's and the 70's (not only songwriting-wise but also due to their love for vintage equipment and analogue sound), 1000MODS have never hesitated to blend all their influences. Retro-rock and doom rock, hard and space rock melded with grunge and alternative create a recipe of explosive heavy music that’s impossible to imitate.

1000MODS offer inspired, powerful and uniquely fresh heavy tunes, satisfying everyone from stoners to metalheads, for over a decade. Their debut "Super Van Vacation" (2011) is now considered a classic in European heavy rock, as well as a game-changer for Greek rock music, selling tens of thousands of copies.

Praised by fans and press throughout the globe, the band's previous release "Repeated exposure to..." (2016) affirmed their place within European heavy rock and roll. The band went on to tour the US in February-March 2018, following that with a sold-out tour of Australia.

Boasting millions of streams and fans worldwide, 1000MODS are stepping up with "Youth Of Dissent", with the 3 tunes that already is released it looks like it will be a fearsome blend of taut songwriting, hard-hitting riffs, haunting melodies, and hefty psychedelia.

Produced by Matt Bayles (ISIS, MASTODON, SOUNDGARDEN, PEARL JAM and many more), and recorded at Litho Studio (owned by Stone Gossard, the founding member of PEARL JAM, TEMPLE OF THE DOG) and London Bridge Studio (where PEARL JAMs "Ten" was recorded).

Preorder "Youth Of Dissent": https://www.1000mods.com/yod

Band Members

Dani G. / Bass & Vox

Giannis S. / Guitars

George T. / Guitars

Labros G. / Drums

Today's tune "Pearl" is taken from the upcoming album "Youth Of Dissent", set to be released April 24th. Enjoy!



More info @

Official 1000mods Web

Listen to ”1000mods - Pearl" on Spotify!

Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify!

Villagers Of Ioannina City - For The Innocent

VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY, one of the leading Greek heavy rock bands, comes from the mountains of Epirus. Their are deeply influenced by Greek nature and cosmic phenomena and infuse their unique brand of heavy psychedelic rock with folk instruments such as bagpipes, flutes and, didgeridoo.

With their inspired mixture between BLACK SABBATH and TOOL with the traditional instruments and scales from the Greek rich musical past, they created a blend meant to strike an impression both locally and internationally.

Since their debut album "Riza" in 2014 they toured all over Greece and brought their music out to many European cities (Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, among others). Throughout the last years performed in carefully selected shows in Greece, featuring a vast production with an impressive light show and grandiose stage settings, which highlights their open-air sold-out shows in Athens 2015 and 2019 with more than 6000 attendance each.

In the meantime, the foundations for the "Age Of Aquarius" were laid in absolute secrecy. 5 years in the making is not an easy feat to stay hidden, but VIC did manage to keep it under wraps until the autumn of 2019 when all preparations were completed.

The new album "Age Of Aquarius" is exactly what the title implies, a whole new era of creation and experimentation, sonically and lyrically, setting up a journey through space and time.

"Age Of Aquarius" was released September 20, 2019. Produced by VIC and Asteris Partalios Recorded by Asteris Partalios at Magnanimous Studio, Thessaloniki, GR. Mixed by Keith Armstrong at Pietown Sound, Los Angeles, CA. Mastered by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound, Nashville TN. Cover art by Fotis Varthis. Cover editing by Graphic no Jutsu.

Today's tune "For The Innocent" is taken from the new album "Age Of Aquarius", enjoy!



More info @

Official Villagers Of Ioannina City Facebook

Listen to ”Villagers Of Ioannina City - For The Innocent" on Spotify!

Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify!

Rotting Christ - The Heretics

Monday, time to introduce "Record Of The Week"

The Greeks extreme metal legends ROTTING CHRIST have been around since 1987. A band that I haven followed awhile, really liked the last release "Rituals". It's been over a decade since the band shifted their focus away from raw and bestial sounds to a more spirituality folkish melodic death metal with big anthems.

Their 13th effort "The Heretics" is natural successor to 2016’s "Rituals". Once again a good album, it's not as direct and cleaver as "Rituals" was, but good enough to take a place as the "Record Of The Week".

"The Heretics" is a grandiose 10 tunes album or 12 if you get the Deluxe version (the review is based on the 10 tune album). The album have big atmosphere with nifty arrangements and bombastic crescendos, follows the same path they’ve carved on the last album, almost get the feeling that these tunes was written at the same time but didn't fit on the "Rituals" template and got put to the side and ended up on "The Heretics" instead, gets a little double-edged. Anyway, there are some decent tunes here. Like the powerful opening tune "In The Name Of God", big guitar and graceful choirs, follows up by beautiful melody in "Vetry Zlye (ВЕТРЫ ЗЛЫЕ)", big riffs and female chants. Massive sound with long and drawling riffs in the sorrowful "Heaven & Hell & Fire" and gets maxed with powerful chugga chugga riffs in the half paced "Hallowed Be Thy Name". The hypnotic "Dies Irae" or the folkish sound, addressed with spoken words in "I Believe (ΠΙΣΤΕΥΩ)". "Fire God And Fear" is a heavy and speedy piece with a great solo. The album closes up with beautiful melodic solos in "The Raven", a great album ending with a poetry by Edgar Allan Poe. "The Heretics" continuing battle with the church and summon up Satanic sermon and gives us a pretty decent release. The artwork made by Maximos Manolis and the album mixing by Jens Bogren.

Sum: A decent follow up!

Today's tune "The Raven", taken from "The Heretics", enjoy!



More info @

Official Rotting Christ Web

Listen to ”Rotting Christ - The Raven" on Spotify!



Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify!

1000mods - Claws

Last week I got the opportunity to see the psychedelic/heavy rock band 1000MODS from Chiliomodi, Greece, live in Sweden for the first time, a half full Kraken with most greeks in the audience, made this as a familiar reunion crowd, at least for the band. I got a very good spot in the middle, pretty close to the stage. The sound was pretty loud, but with a decent mix to keep the music well balance in the hall. Great tunes were played during the evening so I was pleased. The band looked to be in a great tour shape, I guess Hotels and not overnight in a van. The live show was interesting, great flow in the playing, good feeling in the riffs and a superb cover up when one of the guitarists got problems with his signal, continued with the tune and then jammed in the background until he was back in business again and it got time to start the next tune.

The Setlist was great, I like the choice of the tunes and the show had a perfect length.

Claws
Electric Carve
Road to Burn
Loose
Low
Above179
Vultures
On a Stone
El Rollito
Vidage
Super Van Vacation

So here are a few pictures from the show.

Today's tune "Claws", first tune on the setlist and it's taken from second album "Vultures", released 2014, The clip if filmed live at Schoolwave Festival 2014, enjoy!



More info @

Official 1000mods Web

Listen to ”1000mods - Claws" on Spotify!



Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify!

Rotting Christ - For A Voice Like Thunder

Today it's time to present category two: 

(Damn, this is good. (Something you previously have rejected) 

from the annual hard rock evening.

This category was actually a really good one and was pretty easy for me to come up with. Easy as not so long ago I had to listen to "Rituals" with ROTTING CHRIST, a band that in my world was pretty mediocre, boring or something that I never bothered to listen or even give it a chance, but with "Rituals" my opinion change, it's a awesome album.

Other tunes that was played during this category was.

JUDAS PRIEST - Cathedral Spires
PARADISE LOST - One Second
DEATH - Scavenger of Human Sorrow
IN FLAMES - Through My Eyes
KHEMMIS - Hunted
MÖTLEY CRUE - Kickstart My Heart
CROWBAR - Walk With Knowledge Wisely

(Missing songs from two participants).

Today's tune "For A Voice Like Thunder" feat Nick Holmes (PARADISE LOST) with the Greek ROTTING CHRIST from the latest and twelfth full-length album "Rituals", released on February 12th, 2016, enjoy!.



More info @

Official Rotting Christ Web

Listen to ”Rotting Christ - For A Voice Like Thunder" on Spotify!

Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify!

Planet of Zeus - Vigilante

"Vigilante" take the position 25 on Tune Of The Days "Best Albums 2015" "Vigilante" is the hairy-assed stoners Greeks strongest release, southern metal, heavy rock with the same vibe as the far out rockers in CLUTCH.

PLANET OF ZEUS are a heavy rock, southern metal band from Athens, Greece. Were formed in 2000 and since then have extensively toured around Greece, playing in every venue possible, ranging from shitholes to stadiums. Their raw , sincere and constantly evolving live performances have secured them a loyal and hardcore underground following base, which exceeds Greece's geographical boarders. 

PLANET OF ZEUS have released two albums. “Eleven the hard way”, in April 2008 through Casket Music/ Copro Records (UK) and “Macho Libre”, in May 2011, through B-Otherside Records. Both albums have sold-out and are waiting to be rereleased. Planet of Zeus's songs have been also featured in several underground compilations such as the Spinalonga vol. 1&2. Both albums have received attention and reviews beyond expectation.

Today's tune is the title track from "Vigilante", enjoy!



More info @

Official Planet of Zeus Web

Listen to ”Planet of Zeus - Vigilante" on Spotify!



 Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify!

Planet of Zeus - Sworn to Αvenge

Friday, Lucia is done with the kids, Pizza was ordered and eaten, got a beer in my hand and Greek Vinyl is spinning on the record player and I feel free, a lovely evening that I hope will last for a few hours and I'm really looking forward to a free weekend without any musts.

A few days ago I returned from a trip in Europe with HONG FAUX and CLUTCH. A tour were I returned to venues that I already visit before, always nice to bump into folks that you already have met once, make things much easier. During this tour there was two bands that shared the support, the first band that did we did two shows with was the heavy rock, southern metal band PLANET OF ZEUS from Athens, Greece. A cool bunch of guys that really rocked live, where the last show at Grosse Freiheit 36 was a killer were the guys gave everything they had. A thrill to see them play.
I wish them luck with forthcoming music creations and I hope we see each other soon again.

Live shot from Grosse Freiheit 36 - 2015

The band formed in 2000 and since then have extensively toured around Greece, playing in every venue possible, ranging from shitholes to stadiums. Their raw, sincere and constantly evolving live performances have secured them a loyal and hardcore underground following base, which exceeds Greece's geographical boarders and has led them to sharing the stage with acts like HERMANO and Brant Bjork, MONSTER MAGNET, KARMA TO BURN, EYEHATEGOD, CHURCH OF MISERY. Their highly successful 2011 Greek tour, which included all Greek major cities, their participation in the Stoned from the Underground Festival in Germany and their cult music videos led to this year's sold out PLANET OF ZEUSs Athenian concert. A concert which took place in front of an 800 people audience.

PLANET OF ZEUS have released 3 albums. “Eleven the hard way”, in April 2008 through Casket Music/ Copro Records (UK) and “Macho Libre”, in May 2011, through B-Otherside Records. Both albums have sold-out and are waiting to be re-released. The latest and 3:rd release was "Vigilante" in April 2014. PLANET OF ZEUSs songs have been also featured in several underground compilations such as the Spinalonga vol. 1&2. Both albums have received attention and reviews beyond expectation.

Quotes:

“…a trio of hairy-assed stoners…indeed” ..Bruce Dickinson (Friday Rock Show@ BBC’s 6music radio) 

Today's tune "Sworn to Αvenge" is the new song by PLANET OF ZEUS, featured in the movie "The Republic" by director Dimitris Tzetzas, out now in Greek cinemas. Directed & Edited by Dimitris Tzetzas Music by PLANET OF ZEUS. Produced by ABC Production SA Based on the Motion Picture "The Republic" 2015.



More info @

Official Planet of Zeus Web

Sorry no Spotify on this yet, will update up on release!

Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify!