LIVE FROM THE PIT: Hellripper, Schizophrenia and Devastator

Speed metal truly alive as Scottish metallers HELLRIPPER bring their take on metal to the stage. 

The headliner love metal and support the scene wherever they can, that’s why they have brought along DEVASTATOR and SCHIZOPHRENIA.

Taking the opening set was Derbyshire based DEVASTATOR, who brought their take on blackened thrash with a speed metal direction, as all bands had on this bill, taking over the stage with attitude and direction from the moment they arrived. The crowd took a little while to warm up as the start of the bank holidays presented the band with a more tired than usual crowd. But throughout the crowd took every moment to enjoy it even if they were not moshing to full power yet. Their set was the perfect introduction for the evening to bring everyone into a metal mood. 

Next was Belgian death metalers SCHIZOPHRENIA, who brought some of the heaviest moments of the gig. From the moment they started to play, they brought an intensity only heavier metal bands can bring. They take you into their sonic world of death metal with speed metal elements and show how well they can play. As with many bands in the modern metal scene, they wore their love for the genre on their sleeves, or in this case sleeveless leather vests, by including a cover of a MORBID ANGEL track. Their sound was very old school and their entire presentation was a love letter to the bands that came before them in the genre. They got the crowd moving a little more but they still have not reached maximum carnage yet. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s4P68HrYNU

HELLRIPPER are simply brilliant in all that they do. On record they showcase some of the best song writing in speed metal, and live the music truly comes alive. Although they started the set with a few mild sound issues, nothing can impede the quality of their delivery. It was a shock that the band nearly did not make it to the stage with their van breaking down. The band acted like true professionals and put everything they could into the set. Opened with fan favourite and statement piece All Hail The Goat and they were immediately hit by the passion and devotion of the fans present. Frontman and sole recording member of the band James McBain put his guitar mastery on full display as he showcased every emotion possible in metal, from shred wizardry to sombre slower moments, it was truly a spectacle to behold. 

The set clocked in at just about an hour which did feel on the short side, but it was still loaded with plenty of tracks to leave people satisfied. Every track played was a testament to the sheer quality of the band. The crowd became gradually more intense as the band kept playing, coming to a head towards the end of the gig with waves of fans jumping on and subsequently off the stage to crowd surf. Waves of fans came in just to share a moment with such a powerful unit of a band. They seemed to understand what people want in metal and provide, from thematic lyrics to face melting solos, HELLRIPPER is everything metal is at its greatest. Their intensity and passion live makes them an unmissable act in the current scene.

Words: Will Freeman

Photos: Claire Cabanac