DEATH ANGEL, HORRORSCOPE

Thrashing amok

30.06.2008 Wrocław (POL)

The list of thrash metal legends which haven't played in Poland is getting shorter with every year. Finally we can erase one of the last names - DEATH ANGEL. Two days afte the extremely ass-kickin BRUTAL TRUTH’s show the stage at Firlej was conquered by the Bay Area Filipinos.

Frankly speaking I was a little disappointed when it turned out that only one hundred maniacs - amongs them MACIEJ ZIELINSKI and DOMINIK TOMCZYK polish basketball legends and well known metal fans - decided to spend that monday evening in best possible way. But times are changing and nowadays our country is much more popular halt on metal tours. So maniacs have to choose. Well... it's quite easy to name the problem - ticket prices. Many maniacs were forced to choose between METALLICA, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, DEATH ANGEL and IRON MAIDEN - the bands that played in Poland between may and august. For sure those who decided to pay for possibility of being in the eye of metal tsunami weren't disappointed.

The honour of suppporting the metal legend was awarded to polish thrashers HORRORSCOPE. A good choice indeed. 30 minutes of pure energetic thrash in vein of TESTAMENT and OVER KILL was a really good warm up. The technical skills of those guys are those of the world class. The same with their stage presence – classic headbanging rulezzz. Without any doubts Chorzow thrashers proudly keep the title of Poland's thrash metal act no. 1. Band played few songs from their last two albums (“The Crushing Design”, “Evoking Demons”) and three new songs which I must admit went straight into my head and made me very curious about the upcoming release. Especially the song - damn me, but after few beers I forgot the title - in which Adam sang with an interesting clean voice was an energetic tune. The guitar riffs in “Reaction” – another new one – filled the room with the old school Bay Area feeling. Summing up – very nice show.

While the technicians took over the stage to prepare the equipment for DA show I went out to take a deeper breath. Generally Firlej is one of the most modern clubs in Wroclaw – the air conditioning rules – but on that evening that installation was fucked up and it was quite hard to survive in sweaty and airless room. When I came back well known, acoustic intro sounded in the dark. Suddenly lights hit the stage and “Lord of Hate” took a possession of souls of those who gathered in the club. Positive energy of such an energetic killer tracks like: “Kill As One”, Soulless”, “Carnval Justice”, “Stagnant”, “Dethroned” and “Voracious Souls” was overwhelming. When crowd screamed band’s name it seemed that we have at least 500 people moshing. Mark Oseguda was really impresses by such a spontaneous response. “This is the song that we play only on a special occasions. And you’re my special occasion” – that’s how he announced “A Room With A View”. Maybe he’s a good actor, but after being able to watch a few shows in other countries I’d rather believe that he was true. Anyway it was a beautiful moment. Polish maniacs could feel appreciated. Also when Mark dedicated “Sonic Beatdown” to all music lovers.

The other band’s members also appeared to have a good time. They jumped around the stage like table tennis ball’s on adrenaline. There was nothing to complain about the sound too. When Cavestany’s shredding riffs opened “Seemingly Endless Time” maniacs went nuts. It was real highlight of their set.
When the thrash veterans left the stage after 70 minutes of sound whipping it was clear that they will be back. And so it was. “Thrown To The Wolves” ended that amazing show. I could only regret that it was monday, so I wasn’t able to stay at the afterparty, though Rob inivited all of us to have a beer with the him and his bandmates. Well… life is brutal and sometimes heavy as hell.