Friday June 27th

STEVE [email protected] "HELLCHARGE – ’18 MINUTES OF MAYHEM’ (4-track EP/ 2003) "

"The devil may not as yet care, but he at least ought to take notice of ludicrously young and talented 4-piece Hellcharge. Nick Evans also has ties with the equally as awesome band Psychosis, who in a very similar vein rock the foundations of the heavy rock establishment.

‘Break From The Crypt’ is angst-rock that rattles along with a vitriolic punk pulse, cool in-riff FX and a solo that could show up a band of Iron Maiden’s stature - it is that epic and well structured.

‘Cosmos Mentis’ proves this band are no charlatans as far as their talents twist, turn and impress as an initially subtler melody develops into one raucous riff.

Sure thing, these dudes re-possess 8 ears between them for wicked guitar riffs and multiple hands between them to obviously play ‘em.

Psychosis’ guitar genius Tom Dalgety jumps on board as Hellcharge’s honorary 5th member for my EP favourite ‘Out Of My Head,’ Dalgety doing his 12-string acoustic doubly proud with a frankly gorgeous melody that’s inter-cut with a rockier chorus and the hint of some neat poetic lyrics in their camp: ‘Waiting for my religion to kill my fears… looking back to the future to continue the trend.’

While ‘Out Of My Head’ is the most subtle track, the final good fortune of ‘License For Violence’ is definitely the most rocking session in view of its throttlingly fantastic upbeat vibe and handy kick drum coolness, the scuzzy grunge guitar sound embellished by its thousand trills-a-second solo that forces this band to wail into your conscience forever.

The last two songs in particular are indicative of a band with huge ambitions and intention. They may wear their inspirations and prime influences as clear as day and as brown as shite on their sleeves, but if a band of this maturity (bearing in mind that the average age of band members is less than 20) can sound just as good, if not better, than their heroes such as Metallica in all their glory, well… big things for Hellcharge are hopefully assured. (STEVE RUDD)

Tel: 07790 112598"

Cheers man for the FU**IN AWESOME review! You are truely a friend of Hellcharge.

Saturday April 19th

N.M.E Magazine "Holly's Demo Hell"

"Hellcharge, who boast an average age of 16 and three-quarters, play "a mix of rock, hard rock, heavy metal and thrash with a few ballads thrown in". Rock AND hard rock? My, we are privelaged.

Some of their influences really are quite hoary for such young people (Thin Lizzy, Pink Floyd) but they show the moisture behind their ears when citing such contemporary rock 'legends' as Incubus and Coldplay.

Musically, their 18 minutes consist of the usual chugga-chugga guiatrs and soiled vocals, but there's nothing punishing about it: nothing that really warrants the clown skull motif on thier CD sleeve or the reference to mayhem. They have yetr a lot to learn about darkness."

Thanks Holly for "listening" to the EP.

Central Somerset Gazette "Hellcharge Album"

"A central Somerset-based band, whose influences include Coldplay and Queen, have launched their debut album.

Hellcharge formed in 2001 and its band members hope to have their first gig within weeks.

The band is made of four teenagers; Nick Evans, aged 16 from Street, who sings and is the lead guitarist, Josh hitlam, aged 18 from Compton Dundon, who also sings and i on rhythm guitar, Fru Parsons, aged 16, from Somerton, who plays the guitar and Ben Muton-Philips, who plays bass guitar.

They play a mix of rock hard rock, hard rock heavy metal, thrash and ballads.

The main song writing team is Millfield School Pupil Nick and Strode College student Josh who met in 1998, when they started playing guitar.

Nick met Fru while they were at the Abbey Primary School together in Glastonbury, and Ben was picked for the band after meeting Josh at Strode.

As well as the band having its first album on sale for £5 from members, the group also has its own website at www.geocities.com/hellcharge.

The four members are also hoping to enter this year's Ian Ritchie Talent Competition in September"

NOTE: Hellcharge would like to thank the Central Somerset Gazette for involving them in a column. However, about 40% of the information given is wrong... Nevermind!