The Son of Odin – 40 Years Later: ELIXIR Return to Greece

On the occasion of their upcoming live shows in Greece, ELIXIR reflect on the 40th anniversary of their landmark debut album The Son of Odin.

Four decades after its original release, the band revisits its legacy, its timeless character, and the special bond they share with the passionate Greek metal audience.

ATHENS 20/3 : https://fb.me/e/3TDlyW33i

TRIKALA 21/3: https://fb.me/e/55y5P4ETa

THESSALONIKI 22/3 : https://fb.me/e/9wCCspsy1

RockOverdose: Forty years on, what does The Son of Odin represent to you today — a historic debut album or a living artistic core that still defines who you are as a band?

ELIXIR: It is both. The Son of Odin album, has stood the test of time and become a classic, voted No 19 in the best Power Metal Albums of all time in a recent poll. It is also the foundation of our sound which has evolved over the last 40+ years and represented in subsequent, and also highly acclaimed, albums.
On 27th February 2026, High Roller Records release the 40th Anniversary Edition of this album as a double CD and double vinyl. The 20 tracks include remastered and remixed versions of the album tracks on CD/Vinyl One, and bonus tracks on CD/Vinyl Two. The package includes a full colour booklet charting the recording of the album and the rise of the band, together with a poster and merchandising sheet. Well worth a purchase.
The vinyl is a limited edition in Splatter, Bule and Black vinyl. A future collectors item.

RockOverdose: In your view, what elements gave the album its timeless quality and allow it to resonate with different generations of metal listeners?

ELIXIR: It is the quality of the songs and how they hang together as a complete picture of our music. The legacy has transcended generations with early fans in the 80’s passing the record on to their children and grandchildren. We have all attending our shows which is a real pleasure.

RockOverdose: If you were to record The Son of Odin from scratch in 2026, what would you change from a technical or creative standpoint — and what would you consider untouchable?

ELIXIR: The original album sounds as great today as it did on release in 1986. What we have done with the 40th Anniversary Edition release is benefit from new technology to make the sound even more defined. Remastered, the 40th Anniversary Edition is a superb representation of the songs – which remain untouchable.

RockOverdose: How did you approach the creation of the anniversary setlist for this tour? Was your intention to faithfully recreate the spirit of the era, or to reinterpret it through a contemporary lens?

ELIXIR: The setlist comprises all the tracks on The Son of Odin album plus songs the fans have requested us to play – the fan favourites.

RockOverdose: Performing songs from a 40-year-old album live in 2026 — does it feel more like nostalgia, or like artistic validation?

ELIXIR: It feels like artistic validation. It will be the first time we have played the album in entirety and in track order. We have new life in the songs and we can’t wait to share them with our fans.

RockOverdose: Has the way you perform these songs on stage changed over the years, emotionally or energetically?

ELIXIR: Yes, we are more emotionally connected to the songs because the album gave us a platform and exposure to a much wider audience. If you like it is our “best friend” because your best friend never lets you down. On stage, we have tremendous energy to deliver the songs and with the support of the audience they take on a life of their own.

RockOverdose: You have always shared a special connection with the Greek audience. What, in your opinion, makes Greek metal fans so passionate and loyal to traditional heavy metal?

ELIXIR: This is a great question because we do feel a very special connection with our Greek fans. They are indeed passionate and have outstanding enthusiasm and energy at our shows. We feel as one and it is like delivering a set to a family of friends. The chemistry between the band and the Greek fans something we would like to bottle up and share worldwide. They are the ultimate Heavy Metal Crew.

RockOverdose: Is there a particular memory from a past show in Greece that still stands out and influences the way you approach your return?

ELIXIR: Our audiences in Athens and Trikala have embraced our songs wholeheartedly. We are very much looking forward to playing these two places and our new show location in Thessaloniki.
The outstanding memory is the way the fans sing along to the chorus and add additional chants to the music. It adds another dimension to our repertoire.

RockOverdose: Do you see younger generations discovering your music today? If so, what do you think they find in The Son of Odin that still speaks to them?

ELIXIR: Yes we do. The Son of Odin album tracks simply do not date. They are as relevant today as they were in 1986.

RockOverdose: How do you view the place of the classic NWOBHM aesthetic in today’s metal landscape? Is it a counter-movement, an influence, or a timeless pillar?

ELIXIR: The NWOBHM injected a lease of new life into the Heavy Metal scene when it blossomed in the early 1980’s. It then spawned a whole breadth of metal categories enabling a whole genre to be musically expressive and accepted. It remains and influence and a pillar of musical society as Heavy Metal fans are the most loyal to the cause.

RockOverdose: Does this anniversary feel like a moment of reflection on your journey, or more like a reminder that your creative identity remains very much alive?

ELIXIR: It is both. We are proud to be delivering today an album that has stood the test of time. We have a lot to owe the album for and it remains as strong in our hearts today as it did in 1986.

RockOverdose: If you had to sum up the message of The Son of Odin for the audience attending your upcoming Greek shows, what would it be?

ELIXIR: Classic metal at its very best.

Thank you very much for your time.
See you soon in Greece.

On behalf of RockOverdose,
Vivi Zapantiotou