Mat Price once again headed out into the mean streets of London, this time he went Downstairs At The Dome, Tuffnel Park on the 13th August, 2024 to check out Havok, Dust Bolt and Must Kill here’s his review and chat with Dan from Must Kill

Temperatures were rising in the days leading up to this event, with our summer going through yet another mini heatwave. Coming into London from the home counties means you need to remind yourself that you’ll be a sweaty mess just sitting on the tube before even entering a venue. Especially a small calacity one such as The Dome.

 I was right.

Although, upon looking at the acts playing tonight, HAVOK, DUST BOLT and MUST KILL, a triple bill covering three aspects of modern thrash metal, it appears temperatures may rise higher still.

Come opening time, and by the time I got in the venue, front of stage was already thick with people, and it didn’t take long before a not unhealthy crowd were inside, awaiting the show.

Considering it being the second day since the close of Bloodstock, and the amount of Bloodstock tees being sported, it tells of the anticipation of what was to follow…

This is the second time in a week that I travel to London to see a band from ‘down the road’ of my home county, Hertfordshire. MUST KILL hail from Milton Keynes, and they bring with them some new wave thrash with that UK intent for damage. Straight off the bat, MUST KILL deliver an opening volley with Your Last Breath and, like a war grizzled sergeant, Dan orders a circle pit. This is dutifully obeyed by the thrash hungry audience while Dan gleefully barks lyrics and attacks his guitar. This occurs throughout the set: Headbanging is asked for. It happens. Open a pit. A pit is opened.

The subtle death metal influences do not go unnoticed, especially from tracks played from last years EP, CAUSE AND EFFECT. The lead guitar work offered by Daryl is solid and melodic, giving Dan and bassist, James ample room to further play the crowd. Throughout all this, drummer James played the house kit like an absolute pro. His work was on point. Sweat was running from the ever growing body of bodies by the time MUST KILL finish with Cause And Effect, and the mood was set for an incendiary evening.

Bavarian thrashers, DUST BOLT, were next on, and have been busying themselves, touring with Suicidal Angels, and later with Kerry King. Now,  I’ll be honest with you, I awaited their entrance with some trepidation. DUST BOLT have shifted their output into a more metalcore/modern metal direction with this year’s SOUND & FURY LP. It’s a bold choice of direction, and I’ve warmed to it lately, but I wondered how it would fare with the thrash hungry crowd tonight.

I should give them more credit. They know who they’re playing to and they delivered a thunderous set. From the opening of Trapped In Chaos, their intention to whip the place up was clear, and by the time second track, Agent Thrash was done, that’s what we got. The crowd was in full headbang mode, such is BOLT DUST’S anthemic riffage, and Onstage was just as hectic. Lenny, Flo and Tom were a trio of human tornadoes, they had energy in spades with a storm of flying hair and limbs. Honestly, it was hard to keep up with the movement, with only Nico’s bucket hatted self smashing the kit being the closest thing to stasis up there.

At one point (I don’t remember which song, I was caught up in the excitement), Lenny took himself and mic stand into the crowd to play and sing centre of a circle pit. Needless to say, chaos ensued and it’s a shame the mic wasn’t wireless. By the time the last notes of Rhythm To My Madness had rung, one could only imagine how far the audience could keep up with the heat and musical onslaught to come…

It’s been six years since HAVOK have graced a UK stage, and the anticipation is further galvanised by the capacity crowd. Six years is a long time and a lot has happened since they last played these shores. The worst being the world being put on lockdown days after HAVOK’s 2020 album, V was released.

It should come as no surprise that all gathered feel they are owed this occasion. HAVOK themselves must feel the same, as this is the only UK date in a densely packed European schedule. A gig can usually be summed up by the response of its attendees and, if I thought it was above expectations so far, that bar was about to be launched through the ceiling.

The moment they kicked off with Point of No Return, the small room was going to a boiling pot of madness. Like a long absent friend, the whole venue gelled together with one intention… to make this time one to stay in memories for a long time to come.

The pit would not let up as David Sanchez led us all into a delicious frenzy. Treating us to (the previously unheard live here) Fear Campaign, one of the highlights from 2020s, V album. With Mr. Sanchez dedicating Hang ‘Em High to the above mentioned lockdown, there was hardly a time for breath after. Returning bassist, Nick Schendzielos is the perfect partner in crime, engaging and rumbling along with aplomb. Two weeks previous to this show, long time lead guitarist, Reece Scruggs, left HAVOK. His replacement, Psychosomatic guitarist, Brett Rechtfertig, has filled in and could not look more comfortable, considering the mammoth task given him. His faultless display and stage presence was inspired.

Also, how Pete Webber was able to keep the momentum at the drums is a miracle, with the Colarado outfit themselves commenting on the heat of the evening (welcome to British, non air conned architecture, lads). Throughout this tour, Time Is Up would wind things up, but HAVOK had an ace to deliver.

The Orwellian inspired (and extremely rarely played live), Ingsoc as an encore sent The Dome into overdrive, finishing a perfect post Bloodstock remedy…

Of course, I can’t leave a gig without chancing my arm at a quick chat from one of the artists. This time, I cornered MUST KILL’S Dan (via James) for a few cheeky questions…

Mat – How did the gig go for you?

Dan – The gig was unbelievable! We did not expect to receive such a positive, energetic reception from the crowd, they were amazing. You never know how the crowd are going to react when you’re opening a show but from the very start it was incredible. We had so much fun. 

Mat – You had quite a good turnout for an opening act, especially straight after Bloodstock. That was a boost, right?

Dan – Yeah it was a huge boost for sure, especially with it being on a Tuesday after ‘Bloodstock’ and ‘Exodus’ playing in London the night before. We went the watch ‘Exodus’ and noticed a lot of familiar faces from the show at the ‘Havok’ gig which was great to see.

Mat – It was 6 years since Havok last played UK. How important was it for Must Kill to bring their A game?

Dan – I have been listening to ‘Havok’ for over a decade, and watched them at their first show in London way back when. They are one of the absolute best Thrash bands in the game and they have been a big inspiration to me. The fact that we were fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to play on the same bill as them for their first show back in so many years was a privilege and a dream come true. We all knew how important this gig was and that we needed to play the best show possible.

Mat – I noticed the band deservedly enjoying the night in the pit after your set. What’s a bigger rush. Opening for a band and enjoying headliner, or headlining a gig?

Dan – Good question! But a tough one. I would have to say opening for a band and enjoying the headliner but this is not always the case that we get to do that. With that being said, during the last year we have been so lucky to get the opportunities to play shows where we have been able to play with bands that we love and then watch afterwards. For example, playing on the same bills as ‘Xentrix’, ‘Tortured Demon’, ‘Gama Bomb’, ‘Hellripper’ and ‘Havok’ of course, In the future I think it will also be fun to be the headliner, once we build up our following more. 

Mat – What have you got lined up after this?

Dan – We’re playing as main support for a band called ‘Kodama’ for their album release show alongside ‘Earthbound’ at ‘The Black Heart’ in Camden Town, London on Thursday 12/09/24.

We’re also in writing mode at the moment and are planning to release our debut album mid next year. We cannot wait for people to hear it! Anyone who is familiar with the first two EP’s are going to be in for a treat. 

With that, it’s hard to argue the UK thrash scene shouldn’t enjoy the spoils of a long wait.