Start - 1987
9/10
Despite popular belief, there’s a decent amount of heavy metal that came out of the former eastern bloc that likely never picked up steam due to language barrier and/or cold war semantics. Though a concept not foreign to me, the band Pokolgép of the Hungarian People’s Republic really snagged my interest faster than any other. If the cheesy ‘80s artwork is anything to go by, you can expect a pretty standard heavy/speed metal sound of the time to be the bread and butter of Pokoli színjáték, the band’s second record. However, the variance of direction taken mixed with such smooth delivery and catchier toppings makes it stand out.
Pokoli színjáték is patched together wonderfully with a clear yet blatantly raw finish in a way that lets everything pop clearly without anything competing for attention. Nothing comes off grainy or degraded in the vein of a demo, but there’s a very present amateur feel that enhances rather than retracts from the competent clarity. On that note, the delivery itself is fantastic, with crystal clear vocals, sturdy riffs, and hooky solos coming in beautifully without sacrificing any tougher edge. Thus, it should be no surprise that several different influences of the time are showcased without feeling awkward.
In other words, one should expect equal flavors of glam metal and to-the-point speed oriented rippers. The title track may be the best representation of anything due to its crunchy tones meeting a steady drive, however the ones that take the melody to a higher degree sit better with me. “Halálra szeretlek” absolutely nails the chanted-chorus and big solo combo that could come right out of L.A. instead of Budapest, and “Ítélet helyett” has a softer nature that nearly touches power ballad territory. On the flipside, opener “Tökfej” presents a meaner snarl that deals in heavier speeds to land a tougher impression from the start. Other tracks like “666“ also take this route, littered with pummeling drums as an appeasement of those who sneer at more accessible sounds, and I love the power-stance/pinch harmonic drive and falsettos of "Éjféli harang.”
My inability to understand the voice of the Magyar may leave out some desired context, but the general makeup, vibe, and execution of their sophomore release truly make Pokolgép an absolute beast to be reckoned with. One may complain about some of the inconsistencies from track to track, but considering how straightforward the overall picture is, I think it flowed amazingly. Maybe not groundbreaking, but absolutely impressive in every way. Fans who dig a range of Dokken, Saxon, Steeler, and earlier Pantera should scoop this up.
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