HMS Anthrax was an absolute blast and saw the first UK performance from the current Anthrax line-up!

Anthrax, Clutch, Trigger The Bloodshed & Malefice have all played storming sets to kick off this year’s Metal Hammer Golden Gods!

To gain access to the boat, everyone was given samurai headbands and believe us, you’ve not lived until you’ve seen 300 metalheads banging their heads like their lives depend on it while looking like Daniel Laruso. Hell, two kids even went the whole hog and came dressed as ninjas!

Kicking off with a monumental ‘Madhouse’, Anthrax were out of this world. Dan Nelson not only has one of the most powerful voices out there right now, he’s a complete star. Having 300 people eating out of the palm of his hand, this Anthrax line-up are going to do some serious damage at SOnisphere. Miss them at your peril!

Clutch choose to play three songs from their up-and-coming album, ‘Strange Cousins From The West’. The hard-pumping southern grooves of ‘Struck Down’ are going to be in the live-set for the rest oif their career. It’s a rocker!

Trigger The Bloodshed’s guttural riffs combined with the swaying of the ocean is one way to make you vomit up your breakfast bacon buttie! Brutality incarnate.

Malefice’s power grooves always nail it live and you can’t argue with a frontman who encourages the throng to ‘punch your girlfriend in the throat’. God damn, Dale! Calm yourself down, dude!

Come back to Metal Hammer tomorrow for pics from the event!