Massively Metallica

MAN ON FIRE: Bass player Vincent Hogan (right) of Gisborne heavy metal act Harbinger and smokin' guitarist Brad Ion show the sort of power the band will bring to its Metallica tribute show on Saturday. Picture supplied

From Kill ‘Em All to Hardwired to Self-Destruct, songs from Metallica's every album will make up Gisborne tribute act Harbinger's show at Smash Palace on Saturday.

“We haven't done a big show like this for years,” says Harbinger founder Vincent Hogan.

The American heavy metal band's fast tempos, instrumentals and aggressive musicianship made Metallica one of the founding “big four” bands of thrash metal, alongside Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer.

“Metallica's career is varied,” says Hogan.

“Early on they did quite heavy thrash metal with the odd ballad in between. Later on they went more mainstream and more towards heavy rock.”

Metal is like any other music, Hogan told the Guide last year.

“It's very diverse. I like the technicality in it and there are a lot of themes. It tends to be fairly melancholy — anti-war stuff and stuff about the world. It often doesn't pull any punches and will delve into things people don't talk about.”

Harbinger will be joined by support act Shadows In The Darkness who will perform a tribute act dedicated to songs by Armenian-American heavy metal band System of a Down.

Massively Metallica - Harbinger Metallica Tribute with support act Shadows in the Darkness, Smash Palace, February 22 at 9pm. Tickets $20 from www.trybooking.com