Behemoth, Testament and Pestilence at Release Athens 2024
Release Athens 2024 welcomes Behemoth and Testament, on Sunday July 28th, at Plateia Nerou. The pioneers of extreme metal in Poland and the leading figures of thrash metal in the USA, respectively, will be joined by the Dutch Pestilence, one of the top acts of progressive death metal, in a unique night for every metalhead.
Formed in 1991 by enigmatic frontman and guitarist Adam “Nergal” Darski, Behemoth played a pivotal role in Poland’s renowned extreme metal scene. Although their roots lie unquestionably in black metal, Nergal’s distinctive vision transformed them into one of the most unique groups of the last few decades.
The band’s early releases, “Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic)” (1995) and “Grom” (1996), established Behemoth as a force to be reckoned with in the underground metal scene. However, it was with albums like the groundbreaking ‘Satanica’ (1999) and ‘Thelema.6’ (2000) that catapulted them onto the international stage, gaining acclaim for the ferocious intensity and intricate musicianship.
Nergal’s deep interest in the occult and mythology became integral to Behemoth’s identity, evident in both their lyrics and visual aesthetics. The release of “Demigod” in 2004 marked a pivotal moment, not only for the band, but for extreme metal as a whole.
Despite facing controversy and legal challenges in their native country, Behemoth continued to push boundaries with albums like “The Apostasy” (2007) and, of course, “The Satanist” (2014), the latter earning them not only critical acclaim but also topped many lists with the best metal records of the decade.
Their live performances, characterized by elaborate stage setups and Nergal’s commanding presence, solidified Behemoth’s reputation as one of the most formidable and theatrical live acts in metal, so we’re extremely happy that they will be closing the curtain of Release Athens 2024.
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Formed in California in 1983, Testament quickly became a seminal force in the infamous Bay Area thrash scene of the 1980s, which played a key role in the explosion of metal around the world.
With their debut album, “The Legacy” (1987), Testament quickly gained a fan base and the intricate guitar solos of Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson, plus the distinctive vocals of Chuck Billy, set them apart in a crowded landscape. Subsequent releases like the stunning “The New Order” (1988), “Practice What You Preach” (1989), “Souls of Black” (1990) and, of course, the masterpiece ‘The Gathering’, further solidified their status as thrash metal icons.
Renowned for their dynamic live performances and impressive chemistry, Testament are one of those bands that seem to defy time, leaving a great legacy that has a lasting influence on the metal scene.
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Pestilence was one of the first major bands to emerge from the Dutch extreme metal scene of the 80s. While all the other groups from that era have since vanished into ancient history, Pestilence is as vital, relevant, and ambitious as ever. The band, still led by founding member
Patrick Mameli on vocals and guitar, is working on two albums and will embark on a European tour in 2024.
Formed in 1986 in Enschede in the east of the Netherlands, Pestilence immediately caught the attention of the country’s most important metal label, Roadrunner. With albums such as their debut “Malleus Maleficarum” (1988), the legendary “Consuming Impulse” (1989), the impressive “Testimony of The Angels” (1991) and the experimental “Spheres” (1993), they placed themselves at the forefront of the European extreme metal scene and toured non-stop.
After many line-up changes that led to two hiatuses, Pestilence returned in 2018 to prove that their story is not over and that they remain an uncompromising and essential band, with a unique sound and a reputation that continues to resonate across the decades. “Portals”, an album of brand-new material, is due for release next autumn, while “Levels of Perception” will feature reinterpretations of the band’s most classic songs.
Tickets are now on sale.
Also, limited VIP tickets are available. This category includes the following privileged benefits: Separate raised area with stands & stools for everyone, open-bar, priority of access to the venue, private parking, separate toilets, festival souvenir.
At the same time, three more Release Athens 2024 combo tickets are now available for those who wish to attend two or three days of the festival, benefiting from a significant discount:
Three-Day Ticket / Megadeth & more tba (14/6, Plateia Nerou) + Judas Priest, Bruce Dickinson & more tba (21/7, Πλατεία Νερού) + Behemoth, Testament, Pestilence (28/7, Πλατεία Νερού)
Two-Day Ticket / Megadeth & more tba (14/6/24, Plateia Nerou) + Behemoth, Testament, Pestilence (28/7, Plateia Nerou)
Two-Day Ticket / Judas Priest, Bruce Dickinson & more tba (21/7/24, Plateia Nerou) + Behemoth, Testament, Pestilence (28/7, Plateia Nerou)
Tickets Available:
By Phone: at 211770000
Online: at www.releaseathens.gr / more.com
Retail: https://www.more.com/en/physical-spots/
For all information (prices, line up, access etc.) visit www.releaseathens.gr
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