2013

The Beginning: Two Festivals, One Vision

The first edition, Metal Union Festival I, took place on February 16, 2013, at Oz Rock Stage. Featuring performances by Marauder, Convixion, Wrathblade, and Crimson Fire, it marked the club’s first large-scale attempt to offer Agrinio a fully organized metal event.

A hallmark of that period was the trip organized from Athens — with a bus full of fans and bands traveling together — a moment that from the very beginning demonstrated the momentum and potential of the endeavor.

A few months later, on September 1, 2013, the festival transitioned for the first time to an open-air format with Metal Union Festival II, held at the garden theater of the Municipal Park. The participation of the then up-and-coming Swedish band Enforcer marked a milestone, as they were the first foreign band to take the stage at a Metal Union event. The lineup was completed by bands from Athens, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, and a student band from Agrinio, Project 4, reinforcing the educational and community-oriented character of the festival. Once again, the trip organized from Athens demonstrated the metal community’s continued support.

2014

Establishment and New Ambitions

Metal Union Festival III took place on April 12, 2014, this time at the historic En-Plo, one of the city’s most important live music venues. Taking the stage were Dark Nightmare, Bio-Cancer, and the then up-and-coming Sacral Rage, who later gained significant recognition both in the Greek and international metal scenes.

Once again demonstrating its investment in youth, the club introduced a student ticket, opening the door for younger audiences to get closer to live metal music.

2015

The Club’s First “Home” Festival

Metal Union Festival IV, held on February 28, 2015, was of special significance: for the first time, it took place at the club’s then new venue, the historic Rock Club Dewar’s. The Swedish band Portrait were the headliners of the night, supported by Black Soul Horde and Demolition Train.

Dewar’s was packed to capacity, with a particularly strong presence of fans from other cities as well, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the glorious concert moments of the ’90s.<br>

2023

The Great Return in a New Era

After a long period during which the club remained active but without a full-scale festival, Metal Union Festival made a strong comeback in 2023 with a two-day event, this time in collaboration with the Municipality of Agrinio.

The event held at the Papastrateia Educational Institutions, along with the participation of bands such as Firewind, Nervosa, and Planet of Zeus, marked the beginning of a new, strengthened era for the festival.

2024

Two-Day and International

The following year, 2024, saw the festival grow even further.
On August 30 and 31, Metal Union Festival became a two-day event and presented an impressive lineup featuring acts such as:<br><br>Rhapsody of Fire, Villagers of Ioannina City, Nightstalker, Silent Winter, Aetherian<br><br>Demonstrating strong social awareness, the club offered tickets at a 50% discount for unemployed individuals, free admission for people with disabilities, and free entry for children under the age of 15, reinforcing the festival’s identity as an open, inclusive, and community-oriented cultural event.

2025

Third Consecutive Modern Edition

The year 2025 marks the third consecutive edition of the modern era of Metal Union Festival.
The lineup includes historic names from the international scene such as:<br><br>Tygers of Pan Tang, Domine, Wolf, as well as important Greek bands such as: 1000Mods, InnerWish, Khirki, Spider Kickers, Burning Skulls, Convixion, Never of the Drinks.<br><br>The festival at the Papastrateia venues has now firmly established itself as one of the most vibrant and consistent institutions of the Greek metal scene.

A Festival That Continues to Grow

From the first DIY editions in 2013 to the modern, large-scale productions of recent years, Metal Union Festival has proven that love for music, collective effort, and consistency can transform a local initiative into a festival of national and international reach.

Metal Union Club has managed not only to keep the metal scene in Agrinio alive, but to bring it to the forefront of the Greek map — with Metal Union Festival standing as its brightest achievement.