Heavy Metal Citadel Embarks on a Quixotic Quest to Spain
Venue: Spanish Coast
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Date: April, 2023
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Venue: Spanish Coast - Date: April, 2023 -
The Heavy Metal Citadel podcast is renowned for its probing interviews with some of the most colossal names in the metal world. But what transpires when the hosts of the show decide to take their passion for metal on the road?
This trip is more than just a vacation for the Heavy Metal Citadel crew. It's also an opportunity to prove that they're not just a bunch of fat, sweaty nerds who live in their parent's basements and explore the storied history of metal in Spain. The country has a long and storied tradition of metal, dating back to the early days of the genre. And in recent years, Spain has become a hotbed of new metal talent.
So let's hear it directly from one of your two favourite hosts, Chernoglav:
A member of DS MC shows off his vest
ell, the first thing I remember is walking around an industrial site close to a landfill for about 40mins. I was walking for hours to see a gig at a biker bar. As my bunions baked in the afternoon sun, I staggered to the fabled location, following the sound of metal and the roar of motorcycle engines only to be easily stopped by a fence, much like a street dog, that encircled the entire inner block. While I considered climbing this 9-foot-tall chain-linked oppressor, I just instead waited awkwardly until someone let me in. And what better welcome than a friendly member of the Devils Sons Motorcycle Club of Málaga? This was heavy metal Valhalla, both of the musical and also the expensive vehicle kind. Delicious food, rad merch, and rad bikers all around, who were welcoming of this stranger in a strange land. I bought myself a homemade pin and a beer and chatted with the locals, who were more than willing to show off their 2-wheeled metallic beasts. But of course, we were here for the bands making up the Triple Thrash Strike bill: Killdozer, Horrific, and Retador.
A delicious brew at Devils Sons, Málaga
All the way from Seville, Killdozer ripped the place a new one. The low ceiling stage and family vibe at Devils Sons gave the show a cosy home atmosphere, only to be obliterated by a gigaton bomb of riffage. The raspy bark of vocalist Ángel was aggressively perfect for the tunes and the dual guitar attacks that followed. The songs were tight and balanced inspiration from several genres (a 7-string bass was being used!) to become more than the sum of its parts, but at the end, it was pure thrashy goodness. They even threw in a Testament cover just for fun. I have to shout out the drumming also; an 18-year-old managed to bash the bass drum to bits during the sound check.
Killdozer in full killing mode
Ángel and Gonzalo (bass) from Killdozer were kind enough to do a little impromptu interview right afterwards. I asked about the 7-string bass, of course - they do love to bring technicality to the band, and they are inspired by tech death and even black metal. Following this, we talked about our mutual love of First Fragment and Vektor. On what it was like to play at a biker bar, they said, "We've played in a lot of places like this, even in another biker bar in Cordoba. There's an authentic atmosphere; you can smoke, no one asks questions, and the music is so loud. The easy ride spirit." I also asked about the metal scene in Spain. They said that the current tour it was just organised with themselves and the other bands. No local promotions or agencies, just the bands working together, which is more often than not the case in Spain. When asked about the scene, they said the scene was quite healthy, and it was clear that many of them also have multiple bands that they play in. To sign off, they said, "We are itching to play anywhere; we would love to play outside of Spain, and the UK would be immense". You heard it, bring Killdozer to the UK!
Kevlar Skin rips the pit
Wish I could've seen more bands there, as I’ve heard great things about Horrific and Retador, but I had to dash to a death metal fest, since for some reason I idiotically bought tickets to two shows at once. So I jetted off to the Invert the Cross Deathfest. On Killdozer's recommendation I made sure to go see Kevlar Skin and see them I did. Technically proficient death metal with a futuristic theme, sort of like a Vektorized Cannibal Corpse. They played the track bearing their name from their debut and also some cuts from the devastating new album Necroroid, specifically War on Stroggos and P.R.K.S. (Plasma Rifle Killing Spree). There was pure unbridled chaos as the guitarists leapt from the stage and started playing in the middle of the crowd, while a circle pit formed around. It. Was. Wild. Nearly got my eye poked out with a headstock. I grabbed a setlist and a pick and debated the singer on the best version of Resident Evil for PlayStation 5. As I scarfed down a hot dog I went home drunkenly and flooded the apartment after leaving the shower on. Mainbrain was a highlight as well, with their heavier than a sick of bricks pummelling during Jawbreaker riling up the crowds into a frenzy. So much energy in this set that it could’ve powered our citadel for a week. If you like slamming death metal, go check them out.
The mainman of Mainbrain
A little while later, I ended up in Almeria, a favourite haunt of Citadelians, with its free tapas, sunny beaches, and dilapidated Moroccan strip clubs. It was our second time here, and lucky us, a gig was on tonight featuring Rave in Fire, a fairly new band from Madrid whose musical palette can only be described as hot pink. Neon-drenched NWOTHM riffs and soaring vocals from Selene elevated this band to more than just a run-of-the-mill throwback act. I thoroughly enjoyed their set and recommend their one and only album released last April - Sons of a Lie. From opener Bite the Fire, it was a fun ride that would warm the heart of even the frostiest black metal warrior!
So thus wrapped up a very Spanish April for the Citadelians, who left an odd-shaped and unforgettable mark on the Spanish land. Much like Killdozer has said, our mission is to "absolutely destroy everything". TOTAL SUPPORT!"
Rave in Fire burnin’ up the night!
Written by: Chernoglav The Hero With The Silver Moustache
Sporting more than just a moustache under his hood, Chernoglav loves underground Metal, but also listens to a dynamic range of other sub-genres like Power. He’s also never had a moustache.
