When you hear from your friends who are going for the barrier that the first die-hard fans had already arrived at 7 in the morning and had even created a numbering system for the queue, you realize that something big is about to happen. And it makes perfect sense, considering that Three Days Grace and Black Veil Brides are two of the most recognizable names in rock music that had never performed in our country before. Release Athens Festival took the initiative to bring them here, a decision that clearly paid off, as it comfortably filled Plateia Nerou with fans.
Overgrown were the band responsible for opening the festival and, despite taking the stage under a relentless sun and temperatures that turned standing in front of the stage into a real challenge, they refused to let the conditions affect their performance in the slightest. From the first minutes, it was clear that the audience had arrived ready to welcome them, responding enthusiastically to every song, while the band returned the energy with a performance full of intensity and emotion. The atmospheric nature of their compositions, the heavy guitars, and the constant shifts between melodic passages and explosive outbursts created the ideal beginning for the rest of the day.
“Mistake” was one of the standout moments, with its distinctive build-up and climax perfectly capturing the band’s philosophy, while the brand-new “Blind” proved that the band continues to evolve its sound without losing its identity. The screams from the second guitarist are definitely something we would like to hear more of, and hopefully this will become part of their future compositions.
In an era where few new artists dare to explore the world of grunge and alternative metal, Overgrown manage to bring this aesthetic back in a way that feels fresh and modern. The influences from Deftones are undeniable, especially in the way atmosphere, heavy guitars, and fragile melodies coexist, yet they do not simply recreate the familiar sound of the early 2000s. Instead, they use these influences as a foundation to build their own musical identity, refreshing a style that many considered forgotten.
Judging by today’s performance, as well as the warm response from the Athens crowd, Overgrown are not just another emerging band. They are a group with a clear direction and strong potential for the years ahead.
After the more atmospheric sound of Overgrown, the spotlight shifted to Black Veil Brides, who completely changed the mood, bringing their signature blend of melodic metalcore, hard rock, and alternative metal to the stage. Dressed entirely in black, staying true to the aesthetic that has followed them since the beginning of their career, the Americans appeared with confidence and quickly got the crowd moving.
“Bleeders” immediately turned the audience into a massive singalong, while “Hallelujah” and “Vindicate” kept the energy at full force, with Andy Biersack effortlessly switching between his trademark clean vocals and heavier vocal delivery whenever the songs demanded it. As a charismatic frontman, he commanded attention throughout the performance, constantly moving across the entire stage.
The band delivered an excellent performance, with the twin guitars of Jake Pitts and Jinxx taking center stage, creating the cinematic, almost epic sound that has become the trademark of Black Veil Brides. One of the strongest moments of the set was undoubtedly “Wake Up,” where the area in front of the stage erupted into chaos, with the crowd opening a pit and responding with nonstop energy.
Similarly, during “Faithless,” “Legacy,” and of course “In the End,” which closed the performance in triumphant fashion, hundreds of voices joined Biersack’s, creating one of the most powerful moments of the day.
It is worth mentioning that behind the drums was not the band’s regular drummer Christian “CC” Coma, who temporarily stepped away from the European leg of the tour due to a personal matter. His place was taken by Wade Murff, known for his work as a touring drummer with Godsmack, who rose to the challenge and delivered all the demanding parts of the set with precision and power.
The Athens show also marked the final stop of their European tour, closing a successful run of performances in the best possible way and leaving the Greek audience with the feeling that Black Veil Brides remain a band that, more than fifteen years after their rise, continues to evolve.
Andy also teased their upcoming winter return to Athens, which was expected around January (SS: it was later officially announced for February 11 at Floyd Live Music Venue), something that certainly excited fans who will have the chance to experience them with a full setlist.
Although Black Veil Brides already gave the impression of a headliner performance, the arrival of Three Days Grace — with night having fallen and the massive video wall now fully in use — literally took things to another level. Their first-ever appearance in Greece came at perhaps the strongest point of their career. With Adam Gontier returning in 2024 and now sharing vocal duties with Matt Walst, the Canadian band has developed a new dynamic that is rare to see in a group with such a long history.
The opening with “Dominate” immediately set the tone, but it was during “Animal I Have Become” and “So Called Life” that Plateia Nerou transformed into a massive choir. Thousands of fans sang every word without the slightest help from the stage, proving that despite their long absence from Greece, their music has shaped an entire generation of listeners.
What truly made the difference, however, was not only the timeless hits, but the way the two vocalists shared the stage. Adam Gontier remained the familiar, captivating frontman with the distinctive voice that defined the band’s early years, while Matt Walst was unstoppable and full of energy, constantly moving and covering every inch of the stage. During “Riot,” he even came down to the crowd, singing alongside fans in the front row, creating one of the most memorable moments of the entire night.
Their chemistry was outstanding, with no sense of competition between them, but rather a clear desire to complement each other. Together, they gave both the classic songs and newer material a different dimension.
Another standout moment was the acoustic section of the show. The video wall displayed a night-time forest, while the musicians gathered at the center of the stage, creating the feeling of sitting around a campfire. The scene was a direct reference to the band’s early days, when they were still known as Groundswell, playing in backyards and small gatherings in their hometown of Norwood, Ontario.
Earlier, Adam introduced “Don’t Wanna Go Home Tonight,” explaining that the song was born from memories of their childhood and teenage years. Behind the band, authentic photos from those days were shown, along with images from the group’s early beginnings. It was an emotional moment that brought Three Days Grace closer to the audience, reminding everyone that behind the platinum records and countless hits, they are still the group of kids from a small Canadian town who started making music because there wasn’t much else to do.
The second half of the performance raised the intensity once again with “Mayday,” the explosive “Painkiller,” which created the biggest pit of the night, and the powerful closing combination of “Never Too Late” and “Riot.”
The songs from their latest album “Alienation,” one of the strongest rock releases of 2025, also made a strong impression. They not only stood alongside the classics but blended naturally into the setlist, proving that the band is not relying solely on nostalgia.
Meanwhile, Barry Stock, with his trademark wide-brimmed hat and massive beard covering most of his face, stood confidently at the side of the stage, delivering the heavy riffs with his usual precision and consistency.
Three Days Grace proved that their current lineup is not simply a reunion, but a genuine rebirth. With two exceptional frontmen, one of their strongest recent albums, and a band that feels tighter than ever, it is hard to imagine a better moment for their first live appearance in Greece.
Setlist: Dominate / Animal I Have Become / So Called Life / Break / I Am Machine / Pain / The Mountain / Kill Me Fast / I Hate Everything About You / Apologies / Time of Dying / Don’t Wanna Go Home Tonight / Lost in You / Chalk Outline / Lifetime / World So Cold / Just Like You / Mayday / The Good Life / Painkiller / Never Too Late / Riot
Nick Drakopoulos
photos: Yiannis Dolas
