The night got started with viral youth sensations, Hammerhedd, and their mathematically rhythmic opening act could lull you into a false sense of security if you didn’t know they were the calm before the storm. Hammerhedd reminded me of the classic djent sound of Mesuggah, circa 1994’s None. Their groovy, chonky, hypnotic riffs even gave me Nirvana/ Bleach vibes at times, particularly the angsty tint of the vocals. Overall, their sound was a pleasant warm-up as we eased into the show but their stage presence is still maturing. The trio finished leaving the crowd in a state of anxious anticipation of the chaos to come.
Next up was Texas band, I AM, bringing the heat! I AM exploded onto the stage like a bomb, instantly bringing out serious pit energy as vocalist Andrew Hileman took over the stage with pure, raw power. As soon as the energy hit, I found myself dodging stage divers and feeling myself crushed against the stage as I tried to capture the chaos on camera. The adrenaline was exhilarating and this death/thrash powerhouse was a brutal, beautifully furious treat. I have channeled the heaviness of death metal favorites such as Morbid Angel with just the right balance of thrash speed and technicality, bringing to mind early Sepultura. Under the chaotic power, I AM’s southern flare comes through hard and heavy with the type of groove and contagious force one would expect from their Southern predecessors, Pantera. If I had to describe I AM with one word, it would be visceral!
Ah, but the night was still young and I AM was just getting the crowd warmed up for the insanity to come! Toxic Holocaust would continue the whirlwind of wild, unrelenting blackened thrash. Toxic Holocaust’s punk-laden gallop beats, nasty thrash riffs, and sleazy solos just continued to whip the crowd into a frenzy of action, fueling the crowd’s need to rage! Toxic Holocaust delivered no-frills, old-school thrash vibes that can only be defined as straight-up raw and nasty. I would describe it as the security blanket of thrash, a performance that’s easy to party to and doesn’t push the boundaries of what’s expected but it was exactly what the doctor ordered! It allowed you to get lost in the frenzy of the music and just surrender to the mayhem.
Closing out this banger of a night was Havok. Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the genuinely cool dude David Sanchez is, and not just because he was rocking a Beethoven shirt! He actually took time out while the band was setting up to talk guitar and show a fan a few things! Way to keep it real man!
Havok was an absolutely deadly well-oiled machine from start to finish, a musical weapon of mass destruction! The energy built throughout the show hit an impressive climax as Havok wrapped up a night of what can only be described as pure adrenaline-laced fun. Bassist Nick Schendzielos was an absolute madman as he thrashed his way across the stage with unbridled fury and drummer, Pete Webber (also of Fear Factory), proved, as always, to be a killer beast behind the kit! Webber was the force driving this Havok-train and he was unrelenting! Reece Scruggs rounded out this sick sound with some swift whips of those massive locks while grinding out killer riffs with powerful execution!
Overall, this was a night of pure raucous fun! Kudos to all the bands for creating an experience well worth the price of admission!
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WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AMBER BUCHANON