GALLERY: Day two at HRH Utd/Hammerfest

AS day two of Hard Rock Hell dawned, Lizzie Torbitt was once again on hand to snap some of the action:

Helhorse

Gévaudan

Grand Magus

Hammerfall

Napalm Death

Virus

Ten Foot Wizard

LIVE REVIEW: Hard Rock Hell United rocks North Wales to the core

WITH unseasonable sunshine greeting those attending Day Two of Hard Rock Hell 2017 it is appropriate to note that while Hammerfest is often the featured title, there is more it than just one set of featured genres of metal.

As well as Hammerfest at the Cove Stage at Hafan Y Mor the Boardwalk sees Stoner, Doom and Thrash bands to enthral and entertain.

However, for fans, reviewers and photographers - even when not beer befuddled - it is impossible to take all acts in. Sure, you can nip from side to side (the stages are only  few short yards apart) but to review the bands properly some acts could not been caught.

Pic by Lizzie Torbitt

Given the smorgasbord of metal talent on show it is hardly a complaint. For the BelfastmetalheadsReunited team it is a privilege to actually be present at Camp HRH and attenord Hard Rock Hell United so we weren't moaning!

With the sun shining we were pleasantly awakened by our neighbours, a collection of Irish, Northern Irish, plus the obligatory Scouser toasting the glorious weather. This was Wales in March - what the hell was going on!

With 20 bands playing in less than 12 hours the first act we took in was the Danish outfit Helhorse - not to be confused with the American band named Hellhorse. The groove was evident from the off as they paraded songs from their three albums to date, including last year's self-titled release.

Mikkel is a commanding and engaging front man, however unlike the bassist and two guitarists he remained full clad throughout...we have no idea why they wore no tops; perhaps it was the weather.

Nevertheless they engaged the early afternoon audience from the off with tracks 'Fortune Favours The Bold', 'My Heaven/Your Hell' and 'And His Name Is Death' stand outs in the 40-minute set.

Pic by Lizzie Torbitt

On the Doom stage amongst the highlights was Gévaudan's set - enough bottom line to shake the innards for the majority of the set.

However, any bands competing against Grand Magus would struggle  as the Nordic warriors were always going to attract many metal loyalists with their tales of heroism set to classic metal music.

The influences of Priest, Rainbow and Purple ooze from the Cove stage, set as if those acts were themselves destined for their own rock Valhalla. For a threesome they always maximise their power and on stage presence, with JB holding all within the grasp of his riffs from his flying 'V'.

'Steel Vs Steel' (with its reference to Blue Oyster Cult) had the crowd rising up even higher as Fox tries to repress his smile as arms and voices are raised up.

Pic by Lizzie Torbitt

Equally' Varangian' and 'Iron Will' provoke an adoring audience response. Grand Magus provide metal excellence.

And, after the Magus came their countrymen Hammerfall with their power metal that rises the temperature even higher in the venue. All the tropes one would expect from such an act are present and correct, but delivered with such sincerity and glee that any thoughts of clichés are thrust aside.

Indeed, there was a certain sense of a celebration in the room from the back to the stage, despite the trials and tribulations of the band's journey to Wales that saw most of the gear and some stage clothe in Amsterdam while motorway delays meant it wasn't long before their allotted time that they began.

Joacim's explanation and cheers, even given the announcement that the set would be shortened by at least one song. With the 'Built To Last' album still fresh for all, Hammerfall chose to reflect live their back catalogue along with more recent releases.

Pic by Lizzie Torbitt

'Blood Bound' has the Cove's roof properly raised, but the closing duo of tracks 'Let The Hammer Fall' and 'Hammer High' has the mass singalong sounding like a crowd of maddened Vikings sating their lust for the fight, and maybe a glorious end across the Rainbow Bridge.

With their aggro grindcore still relevant in the 21st Century Napalm Death are still musically and lyrically current, never diminishing their edge. From their slow-burning opener the crowd's response was frenetic.

By the time the pace quickened the pit was intense, and crowd surfing was rampant...and that is when the gig had to be halted. Someone had fallen. Security stepped in quickly, paramedics were on hand and Barney explained that they would "naff off" for a while to allow treatment.

Pic by Lizzie Torbitt

Thankfully the person concerned seems, at the time of writing, not seriously injured, but the reaction of the band and the staff was measured and appropriate.

After the pause Napalm Death resumed their set, with their familiar intense approach, but the response may have been a little more subdued for a brief time.

As Cancer closed the Hammerfest stage across the way two acts were wrapping things up for the evening under the 'thash' banner. Virus brought irreverent attitude to the table together with a straight, no nonsense sound encapsulating all that is good about like.

An honourable mention, of course, goes to 'The Defective Detective (The Ballad of Inspector Gadget).

Pic by Lizzie Torbitt

Humour was much on the agenda at midnight when Ten Ton Wizard took to the stage for a 40-minute conclusion to Day Two's proceedings. Sure, they have many giggles and laughs in between songs, but it would all be for nowt if they did not have the heavy blues music to back it all up.

They may, at times, seem not to take themselves too seriously but their sound is a well organised aural assault.

Thus we wended our way back to our accommodation...now where were those party animal neighbours for a late night bevvy or two? Asleep! What heresy is this!

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Lizzie Torbitt

INTERVIEW: Virus chat away at Hammerfest 2017 about many things including The Defective Detetive

AHH there are some bands that just make you smile - on and off stage. Virus are such a band, and while we interviewed them prior to their appearance at Hard Rock Hell United 2017, we were either very disappointed or relieved that lead man Coke was absent...

Some of the other interviews we did overhear were, shall we say, interesting. But the rest of the band sat down to chat about the new album, Inspector Gadget, Scooby Doo and thrash.

Watch it below:

LIVE REVIEW: Hard Rock Hell AOR 2017 Day Two - Slaughter, Michael Monroe, LA Guns

HAVING mastered all things media related such as interviews and the like bright and early, we were ready to hit the stages and devour as many bands as possible on the last day of Hard Rock Hell AOR 2017.

The day’s viewing commenced at the mainstage with yet another Aussie band on the bill (And you thought you had a long trip to the festival!) The Radio Sun. A high energy set from the band with beautiful harmonies and infectiously catchy choruses that we were left singing all day. With their nice-guys-of-rock sound and guitar sequels reminiscent of all the W’s (Winger, Warrant, White Lion) they have an easy-listening quality that pairs well with their set time.

Venturing to the second stage, which ideally we would have loved to have done more of throughout the weekend, we caught the formidable Hell’s Addiction. You can hear the influences of bands old and new, such as Motley Crue and Santa Cruz pouring through the speakers as they play.
With a high-octane set their guitar solos will punch you in the face and leave you with a busted lip – exactly just the wakeup call you need mid-afternoon. These guys embody sleaze through and through and would be a welcome addition to HRH Sleaze in September. (Hint, hint.)

Stone Trigger was also a highlight of the day. Having just bagged themselves a tour wide support slot with LA Guns, this was a band not to be missed. As they took to the stage, with The Terminator theme playing, we’re unsure as to what exactly we’re about to witness. As the band kick in, the room slowly trickles full with their glam rock sound acting as a beacon to guide people in from the outside bars. The Dublin boys delivered a strong set with highlights including ‘Rattle Your Bones’ and ‘Black Venom’ but the piece de resistance of their set has to the Backstreet Boys cover of ‘Larger Than Life.’

Sordid Lies take pageantry and showmanship to whole new level. You may have seen their lead singer, Valen Vain (aptly named) around the site looking akin to a glam rock magpie and single headedly taking the title of ‘Best Accessories of the Weekend’. The band celebrate all things ostentatious and if you stand too close you may well have the singer power-thrust his crotch in your face. But don’t let the feather boa’s fool you, this band are one to watch with their sleazy riffs and high vocals. Definitely one to catch if coming to a venue near you!

Leaving just before the end of Sordid Lies, we hurried back over to the main stage to seal a spot in nice and close to catch newly reformed LA Guns. And we were not disappointed. Although notable sound issues with Phil Lewis’ vocals at the beginning of the set (they were barely audible) the band absolutely crushed their hour long set of firm fan favourites.
With hits such as ‘Sex Action’ and ‘Electric Gypsy’ the crowd were with them every minute of the way.

The twin guitar solo on ‘Over The Edge’ cemented the fact that they are back and better than ever, and the loudest audience en mass singalong of the weekend has to go to ‘Ballad of Jayne’.

Going into Michael Monroe, you have to wonder if the performance of LA Guns can be topped or even followed? But like the seasoned pro that he is, Michael Monroe always delivers.

With hits such as ‘Down with the Ship’ from his most recent album to Hanoi Rocks favourites such as ‘Malibu Beach Nightmare’ and the classic ‘Dead, Jail or Rock and Roll’ Monroe delivered a diverse and pleasing set.
Aside from set choice, Monroe’s stage antics alone were enough to keep the crowd entertained, including multiple hat changes, leaping barriers, crowd surfing and walking precariously along bannisters – all whilst still performing. All in a day’s work...

Slaughter closed the show and indeed the festival, and having not played the UK since 1992 there was a fair amount of buzz around their performance. Self-titled ‘Party Ambassador’ (see my interview with him) Mark Slaughter certainly lived up to the title, bringing his own brand of feel-good rock and roll to the festival.

Ending the set with their hit ‘Up All Night’ (pre-encore) this seems like an apt song and a fitting close to close the festival as after a whole weekend of being up all night, we think it’s fair to say that many HRHers will be sleeping all day tomorrow after a weekend full to the brim of bands.

Review by Lynn Carberry
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

INTERVIEW: To sleep, perchance to dream....with the Last Great Dreamers

AT an unfeasibly early hour Lynn tracked down the Last Great Dreamers at Hard Rock Hell AOR 2017, where they played a VIP slot and stood in for an absent act too.

Listen to what they had to say:

INTERVIEW: Walk this way? We did with Walkway

IT may have been relatively early in the day at Hard Rock Hell AOR 2017, but Lynn decided it was time to walk...no not the Pantera song! It's an interview with rockers Walkway!

Watch and listen below:

INTERVIEW: Addicted to the Satan's Lair? Hell's Addiction speak!

HARD rockin' Hell's Addiction put in an appearance at Hard Rock Hell AOR 2017. And, lo it came to pass that they couldn't escape our clutches as Lynn Carberry got down to some serious questions.

Watch the interrogation below:

INTERVIEW: Mark Slaughter chats to Lynn about how the band is doing since they first kicked ass in the late 80s

SLAUGHTER came along at a time when rock was supposed to be dead...but nobody told the fans, and Mark and Dana kept the flame alive for those fans.

When Slaughter came along to play HRH AOR Lynn caught up with Mark to find out what the, proverbial, craic was.

This is what he said.