Hobb’s Angel of Death + Gospel of the Horns + Destroyer 666 + Assaulter

The summer is a painful time for the most die-hard metalheads in that there are scarcely any gigs, seeing as most bands are off on the festival circuit.

However, tonight's show is a fantastic opportunity for extreme metallers to catch infrequent visitors to the UK. Australia has a bizarrely rich heritage of black thrash metal bands and the line up tonight features three of these fine exports – Assaulter, Destroyer 666 and Gospel of the Horns – alongside thrash icons Hob’s Angel of Death. Vomitor were scheduled to play but due to line up issues, they had to pull out but the promoters were fair in offering full discounts to those who bought a ticket to the show on the strength of Vomitor alone. However, it is doubtful that anyone did apply for a refund, given that fans of Vomitor would undoubtedly be interested in the other acts playing.

First up is Assaulter and their debut show in the UK. Their brand of blackened thrash metal is significantly sleeker than most bands, evident in the clear production on their latest album 'Boundless!'. Opening with the punchy 'Entrance', the corrupted thrashers focus the set on their second albums with prime cuts including 'Outshine', 'Exalt the Master' and 'Into Submission'. The crowd evidently enjoy the nasty metal with wild heavy metal-influenced solos scattered within the tracks. The four-piece provide an austere stage presence, enough to get heads banging and fists pumping. This is a performance where it is easy to sink your teeth into and hopefully this will not be the last of Assaulter in the nation's capital.

Surprisingly low on the line-up is Destroyer 666, probably willingly giving the other bands more exposure as they are the most familiar band in London on the bill. Undoubtedly the key instigators of Australia’s black thrash scene, Destroyer's music is injected with a dose of raw death metal and high octane solos. The audience swells in size as unholy proceedings are kicked off. The standard staples are forced out with voracious energy - 'I Am the Wargod (Ode to the Battle Slain)', 'Raped' and 'I Am Not Deceived'. The set feels stunted with Destroyer on so early but the black metal veterans fight on, with a formidable show. Closer is the fist-pumping crunchy 'Satanic Speed Metal', which goes down a storm with the venue. Yet another satisfying Destroyer 666 show.

The anticipation is thick in the air for Gospel of the Horns' show. Having formed in 1993 (pre-dating even Destroyer 666), the band only have two full-lengths to their name and three EPs. Naturally, the show is a fair retrospective, including new selections from this year's 'Ceremonial Conjurations' EP. Their black thrash is fairly straight-forward and uniquely catchy. It is difficult not to enjoy tracks such as 'Slaves' or 'Vengeance is Mine', both from 2002's 'A Call to Arms' release. The drunken audience vehemently displays their adoration for the band with a frenzy of headbanging to the solid execution of raw blackened thrash metal. Fortunately, Gospel are already scheduled to return to London to support German thrash legends Sodom and new converts are certainly going to be in attendance.

The night is late when eighties thrash metallers Hobb's Angel of Death take the stage, unfortunately to a thinning audience. Nonetheless, those who decide to remain in the early hours to see Hobb's are not disappointed. Unsurprisingly the focus of the set is on the Aussie's debut release 'House of Death' with 'Crucifixtion', the title track and ‘The Brotherhood' being served up for the remaining thrash adherents. Guitarist and vocalist Peter Hobb's, the sole original member, shines in the live environment and the remaining members culled from Dark Earth's line-up, fit in commendably. Closer is 'Marie Antoinette', which is a fine rendition but the show appears to conclude suddenly as if in a rush. It has gone past 1am but a proper encore would have befitted such a stellar night better.

This was such a rare night in London, which will probably never happen again. The bands just happened to be in Europe at the right time and even with the absence of Vomitor, tonight has brought Australian metal infinite respect and greater exposure. This was definitely worth staying up late for.

FUTURE GIGS

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