KILL FEST TOUR 19.02.10

The second half of the eighties was the golden age of Thrash Metal, and America its greatest exponent. OVERKILL conquered the world with albums like 'Feel the Fire', 'Taking Over' or 'Horrorscope' but they never became part of the Thrash titans. On the occasion of their 25th anniversary they once again prepared a world tour to celebrate it. As we are well used to, their tours on behalf of KillFest are synonymous with a good evening of authentic Thrash. If not a year ago EXODUS and GAMA BOMB joined them, this year they opted for the new wave of European Thrash: young groups ready to kick the world.

The downside of there are so many groups and it starts so early is that those of us who work barely arrive in time to see them, although it also has its positive side when it ends before midnight, being able to have public transport. For that reason I missed SABAGE MESSIAH and CRIPPER. I really wanted to see them first. Their debut album 'Insurrection Rising' was one of my discoveries last year from the Candlelight Records label. They practice a European-style Thrash Metal, quite influenced by the more classic Heavy Metal, less in brutality but greater in speed. As for CRIPPER, he barely knew of her existence, but having a girl, by the looks of it, quite a warrior on stage and screaming, let Angela Gossow start to tremble! His Thrash Metal is influenced by the old school combined with some good guitar solos.

I walked into the room just as SUICIDAL ANGELS were starting their performance. Their album 'Sanctify the Darkness' has been a surprise, its repercussion being such that they have signed one of the most powerful record companies: Nuclear Blast. Personally, it's a group that doesn't tell me anything, it's as if you listen to SLAYER but without Tom Araya. Of course, his execution was impeccable, giving everything on stage and encouraging the night to a large number of fans present there. Songs like "Bloodthirsty", "Inquisition", "... Lies" or "Apokathilosis" made the Salamander shiver.

The time of the Americans has come. Anyone who has ever seen them live knows that Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and his people offer a little seen spectacle in groups today. The room went down with the first riffs of "The Green And Black", the song that starts his new album 'Ironbound'. They reviewed their 25-year career with songs like "Rotten to the Core", "Wrecking Crew", "Feel The Fire", "Elimination", "Old School", "Necroshine", "Hello From the Gutter", along with some songs from his new album. It is impressive to see the frontman Blitz, who must be around 50 years of age, how he endures without stopping the almost two hours of concert acting as master of ceremonies. As is customary for him, he loves to show us his naked torso, showing off tattoos and, above all, muscles! Another thing that they always do is send us all to drink with "Fuck You" !! And, what would an OVERKILL concert be without this song? One of the strengths of the group and that makes all their concerts unique is, apart from their dedication and enjoyment on stage, the fact of having a close relationship with the public, as if they were one of its components, Blitz arriving to throw himself into the public at the climax of the night. A detail that reaches the followers of the group and shows that no matter how the years go by and they are all professionals in this, the underground essence remains in them.

In short, a good night to the rhythm of Thrash, being able to enjoy both the lovers of the new generations and the precursors of the style. And let it last!

Text and photographs by Xènia Senserrich