Thaïs Parvez
Ankor rocked the Sala Apolo 2 in Barcelona on February 21st with a night full of alternative metal, overflowing with energy and passion as part of their eagerly awaited Shoganai UK/EU Tour 2025.
Before the show (Madness Live! & We Are Kinda), Hot BuZz (Mag) had the pleasure of sitting down with vocalist Jessie Williams and guitarist David Romeu to chat about their 20-year career, share stories from their current tour, and reflect on their experience at iconic festivals like Wacken and Hellfest Open Air.
They also gave us some unmissable music and series recommendations.
Check out the full interview on Hot BuZz (Mag)’s YouTube channel below.
A powerhouse start with Seven Blood and Conquer Divide
The night kicked off with Berlin’s emo metal band Seven Blood, who proved why they are one of the rising stars in the scene with their debut EP “Monsters.”
Their aggressive mix of melody and dark tones lit up the venue right from the start.
Next, Conquer Divide, the metalcore and hard rock outfit, owned the stage and showed why they’re making waves in the international metal community.
With their powerful blend of clean and guttural vocals, sharp riffs, and relentless attitude, they had the crowd in a frenzy, setting a high standard for what was coming next.
Taking full advantage of their time in Barcelona, they performed tracks from their two studio albums: “Conquer Divide” (Artery, 2015) and “Slow Burn” (Mascot, 2024).
Ankor: A hurricane on stage
When Ankor hit the stage, the room erupted.
From the first notes of The World Is a Cruel Place… And It Is Also Very Beautiful, the intensity was non-stop.
Jessie Williams, with her commanding presence and seamless mix of cleans, screams, and growls, took control of the stage, while David Romeu, Fito Martínez, and Julio López on guitars, and Eleni Nota on drums, showcased their incredible musical talents.
The setlist was a whirlwind of emotion and raw power, with anthems like Venom, Walking Dead, and Stereo that had the crowd moshing and jumping from start to finish.
One of the most unforgettable moments came during Nebula, creating an almost magical atmosphere.
But what truly left everyone breathless was the dazzling performance of The Monster I Am and Oblivion, where the crowd sang every word without missing a beat.
A particularly intense moment occurred when Manel from Stairway to the Moshpit, a close friend of the band, jumped onstage so Ankor could express their gratitude for his unwavering support on social media over the years.
Afterward, Manel jumped into the crowd during Prisoner for some crowd surfing—and we captured it all on video!
Watch on TikTok
One of the night’s highlights was when Eleni Nota took the stage to deliver a mind-blowing drum solo, proving one more time why she’s one of the most skilled drummers in the genre.
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Ankor in Barcelona: An explosive show finale
After an emotional rollercoaster with tracks like Prisoner, Darkbeat, and Hill Valley, the final stretch of the concert was pure energy release.
The energy was already through the roof with Embers and Shoganai, but Moonlight Shadow sealed the deal—Ankor’s high-voltage, festival-ready version of the Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly classic.
The connection with the crowd was electric from the first chord, with a room full of family, friends, fans of all ages, and even one of Jessie’s tattoo artists.
The vocalist emotionally thanked the crowd for their support, making it clear how meaningful this show at Sala Apolo 2 was to them, especially as it marked their return home.
Bringing together fans of all ages
Ankor continues to captivate fans from all walks of life, and the Barcelona concert was a perfect example of that.
During the event, Hot BuZz (Mag) had the privilege of meeting new fans of the band, and it was incredible to witness the generational mix in the crowd, all united by the one-of-a-kind energy of Ankor.
Among them, a young fan experienced his first major metal concert, enjoying the show from the front row.
As the night drew to a close, this fan jumped on stage to join the party, dancing and jumping while
Ankor performed their version of Moonlight Shadow, joined by members of Conquer Divide and Seven Blood.
Ankor’s performance at Sala Apolo 2 was a musical celebration full of moshing, proving once again why they’re one of the most beloved bands in alternative metal, showing that their live shows are truly unstoppable.
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