An energetic anticipation pervaded through
Korova’s halls before Hirax took the stage. Guitarist Lance Harrison fiddled
with an exquisite pedal rig while the group’s crew hung their logo-strewn
backdrop. Once leather-and-spiked front man, Katon de Pena took the stage,
all of this energy found release in a single, massive wave of head-banging,
fist pumping, circle pitting and even stage-diving fury. The crowd reaction
was as close to a 1980s intimate setting in San Francisco that we’ve seen.
This was the thrash show I always hoped for after watching old videos such
as “Wake up Dead” and “Toxic Waltz.” Possibly, the thrashing chaos could
find explanation in Hirax playing way fewer shows than their ‘80s
thrash-metal peers from the north and south of California. It was also due
to the fact that Hirax has never compromised their heaviness. New tracks “El
Rostro de la Muerte (The Face of Death)” and “Assassins of War” felt nearly
as authentic as timeless material such as “Bombs of Death” from their 1985
debut “Raging Violence.”
The trademark, snarling vocals of Katon de
Pena, swift, tradeoff leads of Lance Harrison and Mike Guerro traded and
pounding pulse of Jorge Iacobellis and Steve Harrison were so entertaining
and uplifting for a mere twenty-five minute set. That was exactly the case,
though. One of the most talked about acts of the weekend seized the day, and
in my humble opinion, went away with the best performance. This
accomplishment was sullied by a mere half-set (I’m being generous saying
this was even a half-set.)
