The Metal Files

Hellion was a band that was always just in my peripheral in the 80s.  I owned their album The Black Book and liked it, but still never listened to them that much.  When I saw that they were playing downtown on Friday, I had to go.  I was absolutely exhausted from the events of the week with Kelz, who I had dropped off at the airport earlier that day.  I tried to get a nap in before heading downtown but it wasn’t a good one.  Normally I take a ride via Lyft downtown because I know that I’ll be drinking.  I didn’t have the energy or wont to drink that night so I drove my car.

San Antonio’s The Blitz Krokus tribute band played right before Hellion.  I love Krokus and was excited to see that my pal Chris Cronk (Karion/SA Slayer/Fates Warning/Jag Panzer) was on vocals.  They were fun but their set got cut short.

Hellion had a stacked lineup in the band backing Ann Boleyn.  Georg Dolivo from Rhino Bucket on rhythm guitar, Maxxxwell Carlise on leads, Greg Smith (Wendy O Williams/Nugent/Alice Cooper/Rainbow etc) on bass, Scott Warren (Keel, DIO, Heaven and Hell) on keyboards and Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO) on drums.  This made for some great signatures in the book!

The band was rock solid and Ann’s voice sounded good.  The whole band was great but I was especially drawn to Greg’s bass playing.  That guy is just a beast of a player.   One of the best I have ever seen.  The whole show was fun and after getting the sigs in the book, I went straight home and straight to bed.  Highlight for me was Living In Hell from the Black Book.  Great song.