Originally posted in: http://valkyrianmusic.com/2012/06/25/swr-porto-hard-2012-2nd-day/

» This was my third EXODUS gig and definitely the one I enjoyed the most. Rob Dukes’ good mood certainly helped, as well as the awesome response of the crowd.

Seems like they drank A LOT on their way there, and that bass player Jack Gibson spent the day throwing up. But there he was (a bit pale, true), willing to play some thrash for us.

They also strolled a bit through the city and apparently Rob liked it very much. And apart from the city view itself, he appreciated the sight of the people, saying the men in this town had the opportunity to “fuck some of the most beautiful women”. Previously, he’d already said to a female fan in the front row that her tits were distracting him, and to the crowd in general, “tits and money, that’s all that matters”.

Jokes apart, we heard all the classics like “Piranha”, “Shroud Of Urine”, “Scar Spangled Banner”, “A Lesson In Violence”… And a surprising “Deranged”, with HEATHEN-Kragen Lum replacing Lee on the guitar.

I believe it was before “Blacklist” (my all-time favourite) that Rob started to tease us with comparisons to Madrid, Spain (if you don’t know it, there’s this old rivalry between the two countries for centuries). He said that at least in Madrid there was always a “motherfucker” who would climb on stage and dive. Well, since the beginning, while I was shooting inside the photopit during the allowed first three songs, several crowdsurfers landed beside me. So I think the only reason they didn’t reach for the stage was the security guy. But when the singer himself says such a thing, there’s not much the security can do anymore. And given Rob’s earlier speech, I think he was quite pleased to see that one of the first stagedivers was a girl.

The encore was ace – “Bonded By Blood”, “Toxic Waltz”, “War Is My Shepherd” and “Strike Of The Beast”. A hilarious moment in the middle of “War Is My Shepherd”, when Tom Hunting, “the best thrash drummer” (according to Rob),started to play SCORPIONS’ “Rock You Like A Hurricane”. The rest of the band tagged along, resuming “War Is…” one minute later or so.

And “Strike Of The Beast” provided the biggest wall of death Hard Club has ever witnessed.

As a fan of Gary Holt, I was saddened that he was still touring with SLAYER, replacing Jeff Hanneman, who hasn’t fully recovered yet from that spider bite last year. But I must admit that Rick Hunolt did a hell of a job with his guitar skills and lively presence.

Rob said we were definitely the best audience. I wouldn’t say THE best, but one of the best, oh yeah! «

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