Winter Metal Meltdown - Southampton

Hammerdown presents

Winter Metal Meltdown live at The Brook in Southampton

Girlschool, Raven, Alcatraz and Airforce

Girlschool: Girlschool are a British rock band that formed in the new wave of British heavy metal scene in the 1970s and frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead. They are the longest running all-female rock band, still active after almost 40years. Originally formed in 1975 from a school band called Painted Lady, Girlschool enjoyed strong media exposure and commercial success in the UK in the early 1980s with three albums of “punk-tinged metal” and a few singles. During their career, Girlschool travelled the world, playing in many rock and metal festivals and co-headlining with important hard rock and heavy metal bands. They maintain a worldwide cult following and are an inspiration for many female rock musicians. Despite frequent changes, original members Kim McAuliffe, Denise Dufort, and long-tenured member Tracey Lamb are still in the band. Girlschool are releasing a career spanning anthology in 2022 and are working on a new album for release in 2023.

Raven: RAVEN are that rare thing in music, true originals – cut these guys with a razor and they will BLEED true heavy metal - a more intense live band does not exist on this planet!

Hailing from Newcastle Upon Tyne in North East England back in 1974 (yes – 46 YEARS ago!!!) the brothers Gallagher cut their teeth playing the pubs & clubs until solidifying their line up in 1980 with drummer Rob Hunter.

The trio went on to release three of the most influential metal albums of the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) inspiring every band of that era and beyond. Basically, without Raven you just would not have thrash/speed metal…. after all, the band did give Metallica & Anthrax their first tours!

Following a tumultuous move to the USA, deals with Atlantic Records, indentured servitude and commercialism, Rob left the band in 1987 to be replaced by drummer extraordinaire Joe Hasselvander, who had made his name in cult doom band Pentagram, Savoy Brown and his own solo projects, adding a new dimension to the band.

In 2001, guitarist Mark Gallagher was involved in a near fatal accident - but fought his way back from the brink and the band proved they were stronger than ever! This renewed spirit and attitude was reflected in the title of their 2010 album “WALK THROUGH FIRE” and in the career overview DVD “ROCK UNTIL YOU DROP”.

2014 found the band opening for Metallica (the band that Raven took on their first tour back in 1983) in Sao Paulo in front of 70,000 fans, and completing their finest album to date – ExtermiNation” which was released to universal acclaim from fans & critics alike in 2015!

After a serious heart attack in May 2017 Joe Hasselvander has had to unfortunately relinquish the drum stool….taking over drum duties is the phenomenal Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy) who has immediately injected high energy into the band!

Following an insane blur of world touring over the last 3 years, the guys are set to release the next RAVEN opus, “Metal City” in September 2020 taking their game to the next level…a scorcher of immense proportions!

In a cynical musical landscape these days, where bands are not “gangs “but faceless corporations, RAVEN are a band that are REAL not FAKE – and proud of it!

Alcatraz: With neo-classical “shred lord” Joe Stump on guitar, founding members Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea, plus the addition of Doogie White, Alcatrazz is offering a high energy metal show covering the Alcatrazz classics plus Doogie’s own work as a member of the Michael Schenker Fest and Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow.

Newly joined by drummer Larry Paterson formerly of Blaze Bayley, this is a metal supergroup in the true sense of the word.

Alcatrazz’s latest album “V” was critically acclaimed and sold extremely well around the world in 2021, the band is forging ahead touring and working on new music and will continue in this powerful heavy direction into 2022 and beyond.

Hammerdown All In LTD