Live report by Christian Tallone – Photos by Fabrizia Cameretti + Christian Tallone
Tonight is the Night!
Tonight marked an event eagerly anticipated for months—a truly historic evening. Three colossal bands in one night promised an unforgettable experience, and it delivered in full. The show had been sold out for two weeks already (as were many other dates on the tour), featuring two overseas giants, ANTHRAX and TESTAMENT, sharing the stage with the German legends KREATOR.
We left sunny Liguria early in the morning, hoping to avoid the usual highway mishaps and secure a parking spot—a wise decision, as it turned out. Arriving in front of ALCATRAZ at 2 PM, we were greeted by a queue that had already formed at 6 AM, even though doors were scheduled to open at 5:30 PM. Nearby was another line for an Anthrax meet-and-greet, where we spotted a few brave fans dressed more for photos with Joey Belladonna than for Milan’s chilly December air. Passion knows no bounds, of course.
Fortunately, we found refuge in a nearby bar, where a medium-sized beer and The Gathering playing over the speakers kept us warm and entertained until it was time to head back to the venue.
At exactly 5:30 PM, the doors opened. We greeted familiar faces, made our way to the photo pit, and settled in. By 6:30 PM, TESTAMENT kicked off what promised to be an evening of pure thrash metal bliss.
TESTAMENT:
The lights went out, and a familiar yet unexpected anthem blasted through the speakers—”(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)” by Beastie Boys. The party vibe quickly gave way to Testament’s thunderous opening with “D.N.R.” followed by the relentless “3 Days in Darkness”.
The San Francisco quintet, led by the immense Chuck Billy, was as solid as ever. Billy’s voice roared with the same power as in his prime, while Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson’s guitars meshed seamlessly. Steve Di Giorgio’s bass was the band’s driving force, shaking even the foundations of the Duomo.
Newcomer Chris Dovas (of Seven Spires) had the unenviable task of stepping into the shoes of legends like Gene Hoglan and Dave Lombardo. But the young drummer proved more than capable, delivering precision, speed, and power that did justice to his predecessors.
The stage setup was grand, even for a venue of this size. Dovas’ drum kit was elevated, flanked by a dramatic backdrop of infernal scenes created by the talented Eliran Kantor, Testament’s longtime album cover artist.
With just an hour to perform, the band delivered a blistering 12-song set, including highlights like “Children of the Next Level”, “The Formation of Damnation”, “Return to Serenity” and “Low”—a personal favorite from the first Testament album I bought as a kid. The crowd erupted for “More Than Meets the Eye”, and the set ended with a bang as “Into the Pit” sent bodies flying above our heads.
Sixty minutes flew by in a storm of plectrums, smiles, and pure thrash energy. Testament’s performance left the audience primed and ready for Kreator.
KREATOR:
At 8 PM, after a quick stage change, it was time for KREATOR—a band I’d waited over 20 years to see live again. As the speakers played Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills” (a bittersweet prelude given the news of Nicko McBrain’s retirement announced later that evening), the intro “Sergio Corbucci Is Dead” led into the ferocious “Hate Über Alles”.
A black banner fell, revealing a jaw-dropping stage setup featuring three massive demons, impaled puppets, pyro effects, and dramatic lighting. The German thrash icons wasted no time, delivering an unrelenting set.
Jürgen Reil’s drumming was a relentless barrage, supported by Frédéric Leclercq’s commanding basslines. Mille Petrozza, ever the charismatic frontman, led the crowd in chanting “HATE ÜBER ALLES”, while Sami Yli-Sirniö executed his solos with surgical precision.
The night was a whirlwind of classics and newer anthems, including “Phantom Antichrist”, “Enemy of God” and “Hordes of Chaos”. Confetti rained down, circle pits spun endlessly, while 3 fans were carried away by Red Cross volunteers.
From “Betrayer” and “Satan Is Real” to the ferocious finale of “Violent Revolution” and “Pleasure to Kill”, Kreator delivered 17 blistering tracks that left the crowd in awe. Though I had hoped to hear “Voices of the Dead”, the setlist was nothing short of perfection.
As the recorded outro “Apocalypticon” played, I vowed never to let so many years pass before seeing Kreator live again.
ANTHRAX:
Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we had to leave before Anthrax took the stage. Their performance surely would have capped off an already spectacular evening.
As we drove home, a bittersweet feeling lingered—like the end of a beautiful vacation. But the night’s energy and memories kept us company, and Anthrax accompanied us on the stereo for the return trip. Now, we wait eagerly for the next concert.
What an amazing experience!
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 