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DJ WILL Recaps The 2024 HELL'S HEROES VI Festival By DJ WILL, KNAC.COM Personality Tuesday, April 16, 2024 @ 5:31 PM
Weeks after coming off the latest epic installment of the Monsters of Rock Cruise out of Florida, HELL'S HEROES VI Fest in Houston, TX was lurking on my calendar and while I was undecided if I was going to pull the trigger and go, once I cleared a path from work, I was good to go.
"Shades (and Greys) Of Europe"
Day 1
I flew in early Thursday morning during a godawful relentless rainstorm...which luckily was going to last just tonight. Checked into a nearby Airbnb and stayed dry before venturing back out to brave the elements. Ubered to the venue and by the time I got sorted I was off and running to catch the first act up for me in the afternoon: GIRLSCHOOL playing all their known classics (for the last time in the US, just like CIRITH UNGOL the following day). Weather conditions were nothing new to them as Kim emphatically said during the first few songs in their set, "we brought the rain with us!"
GIRLSCHOOL Set
Next up on the Lawn Stage: Houston's own HELSTAR who incidentally would go on to play a few sets during Hell's Heroes, one of which was filling in the slot by a cancelled AGENT STEEL. During the 2nd set we all got a nice surprise of Remnants of War sections, debuted a new song "Seek Out Your Sins" which was pretty good, and guitarist Juan Garcia came out during the "Agents Of Steel" encore. A small compromise considering but the rabid crowd ate it up. This iteration of HELSTAR I was seeing for the 1st time live. It was nice to reconnect with Larry and meet the current members as I recalled my Metal Blade days promoting their records. I do want to commend James "Vampiro" Rivera committing to the 'bit' throughout the weekend complete with cape, fangs and a "Coffin" entrance. Loved it! Commendable even in the "daylight".
DORO Set
After DORO's set, An announcement was made and everything was covered up as there was a pending lightning strike warning so all outdoor activity was put on a temporary hold and everyone was asked to shut down and head for protection. It was a bit chaotic for the inside venue for capacity reasons so security was guiding everyone to head to the Raven's Nest adjacent to the venue (where HH after hours would also take place) and take shelter until things died down. After a 20-30 minute delay AUTOPSY performed (a slightly shortened set). I haven't seen them in a long while and it was a brutal set worth the wait.
AUTOPSY Set
NIGHT DEMON
Despite technical issues, CANDLEMASS brought the doom! They sounded great up by the barricade where I was with everyone else for the duration. Vocalist Johan Langqvist brought his serious baritone delivery here as the band's original 1st singer, which not too many remember (except for the diehards). It was great to hear him sing Nightfall in its entirely, a release I helped promote back in the day.
CANDLEMASS Set:
Mother Nature won this round but we all weren't taking an L the next 2 days of soon to be clear skies!
Closing out Hell's Heroes Fest VI Day 1 was the official After Party inside where Ben and Sammy from GOATWHORE fronted MORBID TALES, an all CELTIC FROST covers project which I was pleasantly surprised by as I had no idea going in. A killer set and done well in the low visibility inside leading into MIDNIGHT from Ohio who just destroyed that place to close out a very challenging 1st night.
One noticeable audio thing that transpired but returned on the last day: FOH finally switched up the VENOM "Welcome To Hell" PA playback on a loop and dove into a tradition normal playlist at some point. I know it was a low priority but I would've gladly put together 30+ hours of music and you'd never hear the same song 2x....just sayin'....!
Day 2
Aftermath Shades of Hell...
I decided take a lil break before heading into Day 2... I got a hold of Ben Huggins from THE GALACTIC COWBOYS
for lunch who I've know for over 2 decades. It was nice to get caught up with him. Hopefully one day they'll take the stage again in their hometown...
OMEN Set:
Austin, Texas Twisted Time Signature Insanity
I had seen Jason with DANGEROUS TOYS weeks prior but this was a debut of sorts for me seeing him in the first band of his that was on my radar back in the day. WATCHTOWER haven't been to the West Coast in decades and to me they did not disappoint, Along with Doug Keyser, Rick Colaluca and Ron Jarzombek, all were as tight as they could be with selections from the 1st 2 releases. Not a lot of pit action for them but that's not to say the crowd wasn't into it. Their material doesn't lend itself to a consistent thrash double bass and buzzsaw guitar work. We all watched with appreciation of their musicianship plus I even caught a generous "shout out" from Jason right before "Energetic Disassembly" from the stage.
The Bookend Of Doom
CANDLEMASS yesterday and now SOLITUDE AETURNUS. Wow. A rare show....first in ages. The other Double Duty Madman on site this afternoon besides Christian and HELSTAR was guitarist and founder John Perez who also served as CANDLEMASS TM the night before. No rest for the wicked! Really enjoyed this set. Crowd was electric. Quite a few songs I had forgotten about but nice to hear again in a live setting. Robert Lowe vocals......just epic.
SOLITUDE AETURNUS Set:
NUNSLAUGHTER performed the 2nd night of After party festivities indoors to close things out. Relentless, full force death metal! Machine gun drumming....just laid waste to all in attendance.
Day 3
On this last day I was feeling it, but forged on to deal with whatever lies ahead.
Saw a little of EARLY MOODS and most of NECROFIER at the indoors stage as I missed them back in February on the West Coast. For as dark as this place gets it really sets the tone because other than the banner, the movement of the players on the stage, because without the red light illumination, you cannot see your hand in front of your face!
NECROFIER Set:
I made a point to really pace myself today but definitely made sure to catch as much as I could. CIRITH UNGOL's Final tour, ROTTING CHRIST, TANK, DEMOLITION HAMMER (who had the most insane pit action of all bands I saw) and SODOM who closed out this last night with a punishing thrash set.
I opted to bypass the final aftershow party this time and headed to the bar next door and hung until they tossed us out, plus with an early morning flight there was no point in sleeping, so I stayed up all night until I headed to the airport.
A huge amount of thanks to Christian Larson and his crew/staff for a wonderful experience despite some early hardships on that first day. Everyone persevered and that's what it's all about. All in the name of metal!
Pure rockers do not miss the opportunity to attend the next installment! I guarantee you won't be disappointed. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!
DJ WILL
Check out some more photos from the festival!
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Sound issues would factor in with everything going on but they made the most of it including an unfortunate string break during "Nothing to Lose". While Kim was motioning for a backup axe she was handed Larry Barrigan from HELSTAR's "evil" black Tracii Guns Kramer model as back up instead which didn't look out of place at an event like this! All in all, a good set to get things going amongst the mud/rain soaked masses.
HELSTAR Set 1 
"Doom Gloom and Time Restraints"
I was definitely pacing myself going in even if bad weather was no longer a factor as I traveled light but it was still going to be a long day. First up for me was OMEN out at the Lawn Stage. An incredible response to their set and the current frontman Nikos Migus had some real elements of former vocalist JD Kimball I felt. They were another early Metal Blade band that was a tough sell back in the day but not at Hell's Heroes as all ages were singing along to the lyrics. My favorites from the set: "Warning of Danger" and the Encore of "Battle Cry".
I had poked my head in a bit for CAULDRON but I found mostly it was the outdoor stage that offered the most without the restraints of space (I did make it back up in there the next night).
Later on one of the swap meet vendors had a special guest pop in not originally scheduled for Hell's Heroes but nonetheless, I was able to take advantage of this rare opportunity with some early intel that he might show up. Richie Stotts, guitarist from THE PLASMATICS (!!) was in town for an event after this fest. He held court for a while as we talked and got caught up with what he's been up to. It was a surreal moment for me as I last saw him in person 1989 opening for THE RAMONES!
