Phrases and Photos: Adrian Hextall / MindHex Media
Now in its 14th yr and 10 years because it moved into the large leagues, increasing from a 2-day pageant to a 3-day characteristic that would come with main headliners comparable to Iron Maiden, Copenhell, 4-days of steel at its greatest since 2019 is as soon as once more over for some other yr.
Packed to the brim with best tier skill from a couple of genres, the pageant in Refshaleøen gives one thing slightly other from the likes of Graspop, Obtain, Hellfest and different A-grade occasions at the summer season circuit. Copenhell loves to industry at the ‘hell’ component of it’s identify and we get a environment and art work to compare in all places. Whether or not it’s plague docs, deserted graveyards, mysterious creatures lurking within the woods of Gehenna, witches surrounding a boiling cauldron, it’s honest to mention the presentation to the assembled lots is like not anything of this realm. Steeped in myth, even website hosting its personal Copenhell Con the place talks on all issues from Center Earth, Winterfell, Hyrule or even some issues relating to a galaxy a long way, a long way away are coated, Copenhell draws a vibrant palette of lovers who’re there to absorb a four-day visible extravaganza.
Wednesday June 19
Working Wednesday to Saturday, releasing up that each one necessary ‘get me house I’m damaged’ Sunday, the pageant kicked off in taste for us with the growling demise steel of Jungle Rot. An outstanding get started from america group who were given the grove going conveniently at the wooded area Gehenna level. They have been adopted by means of thrash pace traders, Excel. Firstly known as Chaotic Noise, moderately why they re-branded after the commonest spreadsheet platform on this planet is a thriller to me however hi there, you’ll be able to’t say you’ve by no means heard of them.
If there’s something that Copenhell does ‘excel’ at (see what I did there for continuity – no? I’ll get my coat then) it’s to make sure that the primary level pack a punch from early within the day. One does now not must look forward to the lighting fixtures to move down, even supposing being in Denmark, that doesn’t actually occur till the headliners are on anyway, so the purpose is moot, however Copenhell places the large hitters on level from the off and early on Day 1, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, appearing his solo subject matter took to the primary level at 4:00pm. Now, if ever somebody regarded glad to be there it used to be Corey. The person who, at the back of the masks, plays one of the crucial maximum competitive of tunes that rile up the loads, had a smile a mile extensive for almost all of his set. Who is aware of, most likely the mask in Slipknot are vital as a result of Corey simply enjoys what he’s doing an excessive amount of, and the grin would diminish the enjoy relatively. His set despite the fact that went down a hurricane with the now acquainted mud bowl in entrance of the Helviti level churning up fantastically on a gentle however dry day.
I’d heard excellent issues about Empire State Bastard. The band have been advisable as ‘must-see’ by means of a number of pals so with an open thoughts, a keen center and a completely charged digital camera, the Hades level performed host to what can most effective be described as a punk fuelled, bat-shit-crazy set of noise and chaos. I couldn’t pigeon hollow the band right into a style if I sought after to as I in fact don’t know what I heard on that Wednesday afternoon. I got here away bruised, aurally assaulted and greater than slightly traumatised. I sense that used to be the band’s intent after they had come on level an hour previous.
Providing as a lot power as a newly commissioned nuclear power-plant, Palaye Royale, a band I’ve liked for a while however had by no means noticed reside, presented up as a lot of a ‘display’ as ESB however with out the nosebleeds that accompanied the previous outfit. As a frontman, Remington Leith (what a reputation!) is aware of simply easy methods to paintings a crowd. Admitting that the band, based in Las Vegas and taking part in tune ‘now not moderately as steel as Copenhell expects’, have been most likely a blip within the time table for the day, did not anything to discourage the folk on the Pandaemonium level who lapped up each and every minute if their tight set.
Palaye Royale – Pandaemonium Level
Dripping in coolness, tight musicianship and a frontman who were given a wall of demise to near at the back of him as he ran around the ground in entrance of the level, Palaye Royale are a kind of reside acts that you simply fall in love with from the primary second you watch them carry out. A gorgeous efficiency.
Staying at the west coast of america, punk’s elder statesmen, The Offspring got here directly to the primary level as Palaye Royale closed their set and (most likely deliberately) gave us an concept of what a great invoice may appear to be for long term excursions. Palaye opening, The Offspring headlining… a excursion made in (Copen)hell !
The Offspring, taking part in Copenhell for the first actual time in its 14 yr historical past are celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2024. Having a look at their again catalogue, I’ve adopted this band for 35 of the ones years and now really feel very outdated as it must be stated entrance guy Dexter Holland appears to be like and sounds wonderful. After which there used to be the set record. Take a look at this out as a result of for a fan like me, this wins the day arms down. Come Out and Play, All I Need, Need You Dangerous, Staring on the Solar, Hit That, Million Miles Away, Dangerous Addiction, Gotta Get Away, Why Don’t You Get a Process?, (Can’t Get My) Head Round You, Lovely Fly (for a White Man), The Youngsters Aren’t Alright and an encore of You’re Gonna Pass A ways, Child and Self Esteem. Scattered in there as smartly, a few covers with Edvard Grieg’s Within the Corridor of the Mountain King and The Ramones, Blitzkrieg Bop and the brand new unmarried Make It All Proper. The solar had pop out, the children have been certainly alright, and this used to be, in conjunction with Palaye Royale a assured spotlight of the weekend and we have been nonetheless on Day 1.
The Offspring – Helviti Level
Bruce Dickinson introduced his ‘Mandrake Mission’ to Copenhell, and it used to be indubitably refreshing to listen to the Iron Maiden entrance guy play his solo subject matter reside all over again. It’s been too a few years since Bruce toured solo and with tracks like ‘Darkside Of Aquarius’ (even though he did get the lyrics mistaken), and ‘Chemical Marriage ceremony’ taking part in along the brand new subject matter, we want those presentations to occur extra regularly.
With Bruce appearing as the primary improve to Wednesday’s major artist, Moderate.. sorry Avenged Sevenfold, had so much to reside as much as. Having noticed them most effective as soon as earlier than supporting Iron Maiden at Twickenham Stadium, the band lacked one thing, power, level presence, memorable tunes… take your pick out, they must have blown where away however unfortunately the one factor on fireplace used to be the burning space at the video display at the back of them.
It fell then to Wednesday’s true headliners, who thanked Avenged Sevenfold for opening for them, Metal Panther. Regularly slated by means of those that assume the American citizens are a one trick pussy.. sorry.. pony, Metal Panther know the way to place on a SHOW. Coming onstage at round 11pm, the evening had became to darkness, the Hades level used to be lit to perfection and Michael Starr and Co. gave us an hour of be anxious shredding rock and roll and greater than a handful of dick jokes for excellent measure. A bit fireplace and flame completed off the evening for individuals who sought after one thing one thing with slightly extra chew as Black Steel outfit 1349 performed Pandaemonium.
Metal Panther opened with ‘Eyes Of A Panther’ some of the much less risqué songs from their again catalogue and evidence certain that, must they need to, they might free up an innuendo loose album and it might nonetheless wail.
Fantastically choreographed level strikes, extra laughs than an evening on the Comedy Retailer and sing alongside anthems a masses, Metal Panther gained the evening very easily, with The Offspring and Palaye Royale taking the matinee awards.
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