HRH XVII 2024
When – 6th/7th/8th/9th November
Where – Great Yarmouth
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th/Thursday 7th November
Review and Photographs by Linda McDermott
Hard Rock Hell is now in its seventeenth year, which is no mean feat considering what is happening in the music industry at the moment. With four jam packed days, this festival is not for the faint hearted.
The event kicked off on Wednesday with a Viking-themed awards night, with many getting into the spirit of things with Norse attire, drinking horns and ‘Valhalla’ shots! It was a night where people were fully committed to the theme, showing that they came ready to party and get immersed in the whole experience.
The first band to play were Not Now Norman who wasted no time capturing the crowd’s attention. With a blend of powerful vocals and gritty guitar riffs, they set the night in motion. I love the angst filled voice of Taylor-Grace as she commands the stage with her performances. She has a way of drawing in the crowd with her theatrical flair and is backed up by great songs and a great sound.
The awards then got underway with organiser Jonni Davis presenting them.
Awards
Lord of the Blues – Jack J Hutchinson
Angel of Rock – Erja Lyytinen
HRH Rising Stars – Asomvel
Next up were Slackrr, a fantastic young three-piece pop punk band that were full of enthusiasm and great tunes. I loved their infectiousness and their interaction with each other on the stage as well as with the crowd.
Awards
Dark Deck Destroyer Award – DJ Foxz who has been at HRH since the beginning.
HRH Best Drummer Award – Pip Mailing, Quireboys.
International young blood – Award Midnight Devils (USA)
Award winning, Jack J Hutchinson came on next with his bluesy soulful songs, he makes it look so easy and effortless and is a joy to listen too. Playing songs from his latest album ‘Battles,’ which was released this year his set passed far to quickly.
Awards
Best international Front man – Ronnie Romero
Class of 76 Punk Award – UK Subs
HRH DJ Award – Jeff Collins
Mjölnir Award for who has made an impact – Wednesday 13
Legend award – Uriah Heep
With the awards now given out, it was now the turn of the final band to take to the stage in the shape of the rising stars winners, Asomvel. More Motörhead than Motörhead they launched into a set of head banging tunes that were turned up to the max. Song after song hit the spot and I swear my ears were bleeding by the time they had finished. As the night came to a close everyone was in great spirits, maybe too much spirits, and beer, and shots, but tomorrow will tell.
Thursday 7th November
As the walking dead appeared and headed to the venue, they had a great day of live music ahead of them.
Bands
Slackrr
Star Circus
Thunderstick
South of Salem
Asomvel
Hardcore Superstar
Wednesday 13
Slackrr opened Thursday’s proceedings to a full room. It was the bands third time playing the festival so there was no nerves on show that I could see. They oozed confidence as they played their new single ‘Save your Breath’ with smiles and contagious enthusiasm that emanated from the stage, making the crowd join in with a bit of head nodding and foot tapping.
They played a full set of catchy punk pop tunes that then had me checking out their two albums. This is what young talent looks like. I loved ‘Ebb and Flow,’ ‘Home’ and their upbeat ‘Playing with Fire.’ A definite winner on any festival line up.
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Ebb and Flow
Star Circus opened the main stage with high energy playing a catchy new track called ‘Over and Over’ from a much-anticipated new album due to come out in the new year. Singing songs such as ‘Before This Song is Over’ and ‘Save Your Life’ from their debut album, they had the crowd singing along and loving every minute of their set. I loved their new single, ‘Turn the Tide’ which is a beautifully crafted melodic song that I hope does well for them.
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Turn The Tide
Next up was Thunderstick, and I wasn’t sure what to expect from this band, especially as the drummer was behind bars and the singer was very theatrical in a white mask dancing about the stage, but I loved them.
They were all heavy beat and bass with a sound that was full of mighty riffs that complimented Raven’s incredible voice. Singing songs from their debut album ‘Lockdown’ they kept the momentum kicking ass and going throughout their set.
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Snake Bite
Next up was one of my favourite bands, South of Salem, who need no introduction from me. On the rise, this hard rock band have two great albums under their belts and are a force to be reckoned with as they bring their brand of horror rock.
With the hall packed to overflowing, they delivered a full set of singalong anthems with the crowd knowing every word and getting right behind them. The guys always put on a show, and they are constantly on tour so there’s no excuse not to catch them and be drawn into their world.
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Jet Black Eyes
Asomvel are a band that I’d never heard of before this weekend. Four long haired rockers take to the stage along with a hundred amps and speakers just to crank up the volume to 13! They slapped the audience around the face as they plunged into a ferocious set that was an assault on the eardrums. If I closed my eyes, I’d have sworn that Motörhead were in the room. They blasted out a fantastic set of songs that Lemmy would have been proud of, with a voice as gravelly as gravel, and music that just pumped up the volume, there was no escaping how good this band are.
They are supporting Airborne all over Europe and have a few dates in the UK and will be playing at Call of the Wild Festival in Lincoln in May, so go and see for yourself.
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Louder and Louder
Hardcore Superstar
‘It was great to be back in the land of the drunk’ was the statement from the stage that got a mighty cheer.
With orders to jump, the hall was in full fraggle rock mode and there was no mistake that the band could work a crowd into a frenzy. They never missed a beat their whole hard rock set, from songs like ‘Medicate Me’ and ‘Moonshine’ right through to the mighty ‘You Can’t Kill My Rock and Roll’ they were on fire and everyone in the room knew it.
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You Can’t Kill My Rock n Roll
With the stage all set and the sound check done it was time for Wednesday 13.
The band dominates the stage with an effortless presence, jumping right into a rapid-fire set of their horror-themed hits. Their gritty, bass-heavy sound that has been perfected over years, draws the crowd in instantly, and their fans enthusiastically sing along, nearly overpowering Wednesday’s vocals
. With faces painted and intense stares at the crowd, the band captures a chilling, captivating vibe that befits their performance. By the night’s end, they leave the crowd grinning with satisfaction, and I hear ripples of conversations as the hall emptied that a great time was had by all. Proof, if needed, that they delivered a performance that hit every dark, thrilling note just right.
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You’re So Hideous
That brings the night to a close for me as people head to the after party, as if one was needed after the energetic performances of seven amazing bands.
Two days yet to come, and I can’t wait.
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