Exumer, Hirax, Headless Hunter, Cerebral Invasion & Lark - Musicon The Hague, 14 August 2024

On a Wednesday night we were treated on no less than five bands. While originally we would get a triple thrash attack, suddenly we got two additional bands, playing very different styles. Result was an early dinner needed if you like to see the first band too.

Lark came from Poland and as their vocalsist stated that is a twelve day walk away. Assume they came by car, but their hardrock made little waves in Musicon. Never easy to start at 18:30 on a weekday, but this rock was too calm compared with what came after. All four could play and sing, but their songs did not stick all that much. Their own drumset at the side of the stage was taken off fast afterwards, making one of the fastest stageswaps ever possible.

Next band Cerebral Invasion were from Germany, but the looked more Latin American. Especially the vocalist looked a lot like Raphael from Imperador Belial. Unfortunately he had a cold, but lots of water got him through the set. Also one guitarist went missing. The thrash metal played by this lot sounded very death metal. I had the impression that they improved throughout their set, or warmed up maybe. Decent not shocking to me they were.

The original support act came up next and what a band they turned out to be. Headless Hunter have been playing around the country for a while now, but I missed them both at Roosendaal Open Air (too late) and Metal Experience (train strike) last year. This young band is definitely among the new hopes for Dutch thrash metal. A very lively set, brought enthusiastic and the audience reacting accordingly. I had the impression they brought quite a few friends along too. One to look out for in the future.

Upon arrival we learned that Hirax had missed the boat from England. Luckily with three openers they still arrived on time. Actually I expected them to close the evening, but bands decided different. When Hirax kicked off we soon could see that we got one of the Musicon highlights of 2024 on stage. What a presentation and positive energy was coming off the stage. Katon de Pena is a superb frontman getting all involved in the show. The band themselves all excel at their instruments and are as much adding to the fun. They did not have  a long set, but with their short and furious songs we got many  songs still. This show flew by and was a high from start to Bombs of Death. Typically one of those bands that could have should have been bigger. Now highly appreciated in the underground.

So after Hirax Exumer would close the evening. Following up after such a high is hard and turned a bridge too far for Exumer too. Not saying that their set was not good and engaging really. Just not reaching the level of what came just before. Still their journey through four decades of thrash metal went down well enough. A decent closure of one fine evening in Musicon, so thanks to all involved.