The Hard Rock Scene in Greece
A retrospective on the Hard Rock scene in Greece. The beginning, the triggers, and some of the most important bands of the genre. Over the last 15 years, the Hard Rock scene in Greece has evolved from a modest start into a formidable force.
By Dimitris (Bari) Polyzois
Like most regional scenes, it developed out of a variety of cultural conditions. It was the spearhead created by a handful of pioneers, and it soon drew music fans from all over the world.
The 90s
During this period there were many notable bands. Last Drive, Villa 21, Deus Ex Machina, Nightstalker, Honeydive, Make Believe. They all released albums and played plenty of live shows. There was a lot of mutual respect among the artists. Since two bands of the same genre never played on the same night, members of every band would show up at each other's gigs. There was an unprecedented sense of camaraderie.
As with most regional scenes, the audience for Hard Rock music in Greece was small, but passionate. Bands and fans were united. Supporting bands as well as the clubs was a shared cause. It was an era before the Internet, so all promotion was done by hand. They'd hand out flyers and put up posters on the streets.
The Turning Point
After a while, the local scene started to catch fire. The widespread use of the Internet was crucial to the overall growth of the scene. But Greece's culture at that time was just as important. We were right on the heels of the murder of Alexis Grigoropoulos, timeline-wise. The 15-year-old student was killed in Athens in 2008 by police officers.
There was anger, outrage, injustice. The sense of a harsh, ruthless capitalist society. At the same time, a yearning for independence, knowledge and maturity fueled the will and drive of the local bands.
Any evolution comes with friction. In the '00s, the Hard Rock scene in Greece made huge leaps forward. The result was support for internationally successful acts. Younger bands followed in the footsteps of the pioneers. Rising popularity and expectations led to increased competition. The current lack of live shows due to COVID has hit hard a scene that was built to bring people together. But, as always, the scene has rallied. Capitalizing on the vinyl revival and the dominance of social media, it's trying to push its music to new ears.
The Pioneers
Nightstalker
They're unanimously considered the gods of the Hard Rock scene. These Athenian veterans stood in stark contrast to the indie rock that was popular at the time. Showing off a love for Black Sabbath and Hawkwind, their debut EP Side FX was the work of a band that honored their influences. The timing was perfect: in the US, the psychedelic sounds of fuzz rock were starting to make a comeback.
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Planet of Zeus
Planet of Zeus are a popular and beloved band. They're responsible for some of the local scene's finest hits. Their legendary live shows have earned them a devoted army of fans both at home and abroad. Their songs balance big rock bombast with heavy riffs and thunderous drums.
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1000mods
One of the first signs that something serious was brewing in Greek rock 'n' roll was the emergence of 1000Mods. They put out a string of albums rooted in classic desert rock. They ended up being commercially successful with a broad audience, which led to touring across the EU as well as visits to the US, Canada, Mexico and Australia.
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Puta Volcano
Puta Volcano blend a laid-back, slow-burn attitude with artistic daring and nerve. Built on the principles of US desert rock — solid riffs, drums and vocals — singer Άννα Παπαθανασίου takes a storyteller's approach in her lyrics. She crafts dark narratives, shifting her style from fiery rasp ("Black Box") to a soft lullaby ("Kassandra's Gift»).
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Naxatras
Naxatras' psychedelic groove found them an audience eager to discover the recipe for trippy rock n' roll. Their songs stand out like jam-band concerts, built on echoing guitars, repeating instrumental motifs and a loose, improvisational feel. Naxatras follow a fresh approach within a vintage style, one that resonates with a new generation of fans.
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The New Generation
Godsleep
The difference between this Athenian band's first and second album is crucial. The addition of new singer Amie Makris for Coming of Age redefined their sound, and her fiery wail is the perfect match for the band's music. Balancing the monolithic approach of classic stoner bands with sturdy melodies and killer riffs (see "Unlearn"), Godsleep put themselves on the map. They managed to earn the respect of a rather demanding audience.
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Instant Boner
Thessaloniki's Instant Boner have worked meticulously, unleashing a series of EPs. Singer Marianthi is the cornerstone of the band's sound, and her careful approach is top-notch. Songs that carry a great groove and a touch of saxophone. The latter is another thing that sets the band apart: sometimes the saxophone reinforces the rhythm section ("Big Bang"), other times, it takes off into inventive solos ("Mid Air").
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Honeybagder
Honeybadger's debut made waves in the local press, earning a barrage of positive reviews. A creative blend of American heavy rock with a few '90s alt-rock touches. The band delivers hook-laden tracks like "The Wolf" with confidence and precision.
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Paranoid Reverb
Representing Thessaloniki and the Greek north in the Hard Rock scene in Greece, Paranoid Reverb walk the line between classic and stoner rock. Balancing riff-based melodies like "Beast" with smoking riffs ("Angry Sun"). Their latest, Billion Drops, feels fresh, with riffs wrestling against the raw, gritty vocals of Χρήστος Παπαϊωάννου.
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