Demolition Hammer
HELL’S HEROES | HOUSTON, TX | 03.23.2024
Photo by Sam James @samjames.jpeg
United through Violence
A car crash. A fire. An explosion. A horrific scene. All these generate a sense of morbid curiosity that make me want to see the aftermath. An itch that must be scratched. Mortality is questioned when immersed in scenes of chaos, mass destruction and suffering. Standing on the edge of the pit for Demolition Hammer evoked that same feeling. Things got out of hand. Fast. I was prepared to watch someone get seriously injured – camera was ready obviously. Instead, I saw someone being hoisted around a circle pit in a trash can. It was beautiful.
Photo by Sam James @samjames.jpeg
Demolition Hammer is relentless. They live up to their name. A band determined to destroy everyone in attendance. Leveling. Crushing. Song after song. Keep up. Once they start they don’t stop until it’s over. No slow songs. No breaks. Just a little bit of banter and gratitude then it’s back to annihilating.
Photo by Sam James @samjames.jpeg
A trash can came into our lives during the set that united us all. Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone hurl a can full of fest trash into the pit. Like a comet streaking through the sky with a slurry of old beer, half-eaten food and lord knows whatever else tailing behind and showering the crowd. First person picks it up and raises it above their head. The remaining trash showers them. Covered in filth. A lap around the pit and they ditch it. Someone else now. They turn it upright and crawl in. A group swarms and hoists him up. Like some unholy Hora circling the pit. Lifted towards heaven with a fist in the air. Pure. The crowd is ecstatic. All eyes on the lawn were focused on that moment.
Photos by Luke James @lukejeffjames
Photo by Luke James @lukejeffjames
I was ready for serious injury but witnessed one of the most uplifting moments I’ve ever seen at a show. The crazier it got, the closer we all became. Demolition Hammer forged new bonds that day.
Written by Luke James @lukejeffjames
Photography by Sam (Willey) James @samjames.jpeg | Crowd Photography by Luke James