HELSTAR + ATOMKRAFT + DECEPTOR + HYBRIS
LONDON PURPLE TURTLE 29/8/11
Helstar in their long illustrious career have never actually played the UK, this is quite surprising, but being personally privy to live shows in Germany, it was only fair that the UK should experience such a talented group. If Helstar making their UK debut was not enough, recently re-activated Geordie NWOBHM/Speed metal legends Atomkraft make a rare appearance in promotion of their new EP/single ‘Cold Sweat’, so after a delayed wait (thanks French customs), the entertainment begins…
Opening this event was London’s HYBRIS, a thrash band who feature seasoned musicians, including members of Abgott, Stuka Squadron and Centurions Ghost. The band was already in full swing by the time I got into the venue. The usual phenomenon of 5 paces back from stage front makes me chuckle every time, this always happens for opening bands, but then it does makes my life easier when I want to take a few snapshots! Musically, Hybris are at the very technical end of Thrash, as shown in ‘Foe or Friend’, riff after riff bellowed from the PA; although this sound eventually lost its momentum by the time it reached the rear of the venue. Hot tracks like ‘Volcano’ ensure at least the vocals can be heard, and the ripping solo work screams at you like a banshee cry. I found out later in the evening that the drummer was new and had a matter of days to learn the set, this could not be faulted or noticed, kudos, and damn good work my friend. All in all, Hybris are extremely technical, but their live sound can suffer in the sometimes unforgiving lottery of venue acoustics.
DECEPTOR on the other hand are no strangers to the local scene and have recently recorded their EP ‘Soothsayer’ that is out on Chaos Dimension Records. This three-piece are a powerful thrash combination, Fulda’s vocals and Ashbey’s drumming do mash up your mind and ensure that you can hear what they are all about. It was unfortunate for me that I missed most of these guys set due to other PR commitments during the day, but from what I heard after Deceptor’s set, they gained some new fans and entertained the loyal thrashing maniacs that came down to see them.
Armageddon, fear and excitement enter your mind when you look at Demolition mans stature on stage. ATOMKRAFT burst into their set with a massive Rickenbacker bass sound and hyper speed aggression. As with fellow Geordie’s Raven, Atomkraft use head microphones, thus ensuring that the Demolition Man (Tony Dolan) can cover lots of ground on the Purple Turtles stage. A couple of classics like the thunderous ‘Total Metal’ kept the old guard entertained towards the end of the set, whilst newer tracks make the band relevant, including their cover of Thin Lizzy’s classic ‘Cold Sweat’ (and new EP release - an oddball choice for this band I have to say). The original and Atomkraft’s subsequent bruising cover hits all the right places of this classic number. This was a rare chance to see this band live; my resulting thoughts and expressions of enthusiasm, power, and meeting your metal judgement day were thoroughly justified.
HELSTAR make up for lost time by ploughing straight into their set, the catchy newer track ‘Pandemonium’ makes a stark impression and fellow gig goers remark on it’s infectious nature, this is one of the trashier songs from their recent album release (‘Glory of Chaos’ on AFM records), but still contains many of the Helstar trademarks. Guitarists Lenny Barragan and Rob Trevino cover much of the Purple Turtle’s stage with a clear level of wanton destruction. Rivera’s vocals are precise and as per recorded output, ‘Summer of Hate’ (also the tour name) proves this, being both epic and soul destroying. Of course, after missing out the UK for so long, it would have been rude for Helstar to ignore some of their illustrious back catalogue! ‘Burning Star’ entertained, although I don’t actually recall anything being played from the ‘Nosferatu’ album, but as I had to exit the building rapidly to get my last train home, I may have been proved wrong. I left feeling pleased and content. Helstar had finally made it to the UK, the crowd could have been bigger, but the experience was certainly worth the wait.
A note of thanks also goes out to the promoters who a) got the band to play the UK in the first place and b) managed the show admirably in the face of adversity due to inconsiderate French customs officers making Helstar miss their ferry.
Paul Maddison
ATOMKRAFT
ATOMKRAFT
ATOMKRAFT
HELSTAR
HELSTAR
HYBRIS
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