Pokolgép
Encyclopedia
Pokolgép is a Hungarian heavy metal
band formed in the early 1980s (around 1982). They were among the first heavy metal bands in Hungary along with other bands like Moby Dick and Ossian.
, Endre Paksi
and Tibor Varga. They decided to give the band the name "Pokolgép" (literally means Infernal Machine, but is the Hungarian word for a home-made bomb). Kukovecz was taught to play the guitar by Prognózis fame István Vörös, who suggested a less offending name to them ("Kommandó"). They used it for some months, then returned to Pokolgép. The life of the band was very difficult because of their poverty and the government's negative aspect of the band. They were playing half-illegal concerts in the edge of Budapest, and after some time they became known. They had several dozens of drum players, and also a lot of guitarists, until they found László Nagyfi for playing the second guitar. In 1985, Paksi left the band due to personal conflicts (he couldn't agree with Kukovecz on the leading of the band), and György Pazdera
arried to the bass guitar. Some months later, the drummer András Gyenizse emigrated to the USA, so Pazdera invited his old friend László Tarcza.
In 1983 the band placed runner-up in Ki Mit Tud (a talent-searching festival which was directed by the communist government), so they could record a song ("Kegyetlen asszony") which was released on a split 7" single. They also recorded two songs in the Hungarian Radio in 1984 ("Cirkusz és rács" and "A bűn"). In 1985 they recorded and released their first own disc, which was a single with two songs ("A Sátán" and "A maszk").
to release the first heavy metal album in Hungary. This was the debut album of Pokolgép, titled Totális Metal
. This was the time heavy metal bands started to come to the Eastern bloc
(e.g. Iron Maiden
and Queen
), mainly to Poland
and Hungary
. Pokolgép played before Metallica
and Motörhead in the late 1980s. In 1987 Pokolgép released their second album, Pokoli színjáték. These two are considered to be the base of Hungarian heavy metal. The interesting fact of Pokoli színjáték is that it was firstly played in concert, and released days after.
In 1988-89, Pokolgép went for a tour in Europe, playing in the two German states, the Netherlands and Belgium, and released their third album in 1989 (title: Éjszakai bevetés). They recorded a concert at the end of 1989 in Petőfi Hall, and then released as the fifth album in 1990 with the title "Koncertlemez". Before releaseing the concert audio footage, they made their fourth album, "Metál az ész". This album was made in a rather bad atmosphere, as guitarist Nagyfi and vocalist Kalapács were about to quit the band.
, but he was taken away after half a year to Edda művek
. The vocalist became József Rudán from a Led Zeppelin
tribute band, Coda.
event hal,l. A pyrotechnic device exploded and pieces of it hit Szőrme's head causing a dramatic injury. Szőrme's head almost collapsed into two pieces, his corpus callosum
was cut by the pyrotechnic device. He was for three months in chomatic stage and he died for several times but medical doctors saved his life. The rock band Pokolgép still denies their responsibility for this accident. Szőrme is not able to work and to establish proper social contacts, however his mental capacity is still on over average level.
József Kalapács, Gábor Kukovecz, László Nagyfi, György Pazdera, László Tarcza
2001-06
Joe Rudán, Gábor Kukovecz, Dávid Nagy, Csaba Pintér, Ede Szilágyi
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band formed in the early 1980s (around 1982). They were among the first heavy metal bands in Hungary along with other bands like Moby Dick and Ossian.
The early years
In the late 1970s, three young men decided to make music just for their own fun and the enjoyment of others. They were Gábor KukoveczGábor Kukovecz
Gábor Kukovecz is the lead guitarist and forming member of the Hungarian heavy metal band Pokolgép. He appears on each and every Pokolgép release, having been in the band since its formation in 1982. He is the band's main songwriter and lyricist, and sometimes appears as a keyboardist on the...
, Endre Paksi
Endre Paksi
Endre Paksi is a Hungarian heavy metal vocalist, and formerly bass guitarist. He is the key member of Ossian, which is among the leading bands of Hungarian heavy metal. He played bass guitar in Pokolgép, of which he was a member during 1982–83. He also played in a band called Rockwell between...
and Tibor Varga. They decided to give the band the name "Pokolgép" (literally means Infernal Machine, but is the Hungarian word for a home-made bomb). Kukovecz was taught to play the guitar by Prognózis fame István Vörös, who suggested a less offending name to them ("Kommandó"). They used it for some months, then returned to Pokolgép. The life of the band was very difficult because of their poverty and the government's negative aspect of the band. They were playing half-illegal concerts in the edge of Budapest, and after some time they became known. They had several dozens of drum players, and also a lot of guitarists, until they found László Nagyfi for playing the second guitar. In 1985, Paksi left the band due to personal conflicts (he couldn't agree with Kukovecz on the leading of the band), and György Pazdera
György Pazdera
György Pazdera was the bass guitarist for the Hungarian heavy metal band Pokolgép between 1985 and 1994.-Source:There was a news at Pokolgép's official homepage on March 19, 2007, saying "Our good friend Gyuri Pazdera has become 50 years old yesterday"....
arried to the bass guitar. Some months later, the drummer András Gyenizse emigrated to the USA, so Pazdera invited his old friend László Tarcza.
In 1983 the band placed runner-up in Ki Mit Tud (a talent-searching festival which was directed by the communist government), so they could record a song ("Kegyetlen asszony") which was released on a split 7" single. They also recorded two songs in the Hungarian Radio in 1984 ("Cirkusz és rács" and "A bűn"). In 1985 they recorded and released their first own disc, which was a single with two songs ("A Sátán" and "A maszk").
The first albums
A very special thing happened in 1986: the government allowed HungarotonHungaroton
Hungaroton was the one and only record and music publisher company in Hungary for about 40 years.Hungaroton was founded in 1951, since then, its only competitors in the Hungarian music market were record labels like Melodiya, Supraphon and Eterna from other socialist countries. Previously called...
to release the first heavy metal album in Hungary. This was the debut album of Pokolgép, titled Totális Metal
Totális Metal
Totális Metal is the debut album of Hungarian heavy metal band Pokolgép. The band was one of the first metal bands in Hungary, and they were definitely the first to release a metal album and single . Totális Metal has very strong Judas Priest and Accept influences...
. This was the time heavy metal bands started to come to the Eastern bloc
Eastern bloc
The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
(e.g. Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
and Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
), mainly to Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. Pokolgép played before Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
and Motörhead in the late 1980s. In 1987 Pokolgép released their second album, Pokoli színjáték. These two are considered to be the base of Hungarian heavy metal. The interesting fact of Pokoli színjáték is that it was firstly played in concert, and released days after.
In 1988-89, Pokolgép went for a tour in Europe, playing in the two German states, the Netherlands and Belgium, and released their third album in 1989 (title: Éjszakai bevetés). They recorded a concert at the end of 1989 in Petőfi Hall, and then released as the fifth album in 1990 with the title "Koncertlemez". Before releaseing the concert audio footage, they made their fourth album, "Metál az ész". This album was made in a rather bad atmosphere, as guitarist Nagyfi and vocalist Kalapács were about to quit the band.
Member switches
Nagyfi said in an interview that Kukovecz and he weren't agreed with the style of music to be played. Nagyfi said he liked the rawer, more impulsive and speedy songs, while Kukovecz liked the solos and melodies. This was the reason he left with Kalapács and formed Omen. So there were only three Pokolgép members: Tarcza, Pazdera and Kukovecz. They started to look for a new second guitarist, who became Péter KunPéter Kun
Péter Kun was a Hungarian hard rock guitarist. He played for such bands like Pokolgép or Edda művek. He died in a motorcycle accident in 1993; he was barely 26 years old...
, but he was taken away after half a year to Edda művek
Edda muvek
Edda Művek is a highly successful Hungarian rock band formed in 1974 under the name "Griff". The word "művek" symbolizes the band originally starting off its career in Miskolc, a typical Central European industrial city also dubbed as "Steel City"...
. The vocalist became József Rudán from a Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
tribute band, Coda.
Controversy
On 27 December 1987 a 15 years old young man Lajos "Szőrme" Varga suffered a very severe accident during the Metál Karácsony festival held in the Petőfi CsarnokPetőfi Csarnok
Petőfi Csarnok , often called PeCsa, is currently Budapest's only youth leisure center. Placed in the Városliget, it is a famous concert spot for pop/rock music, serving as home for hundreds of cultural programs, exhibitions, and fan clubs...
event hal,l. A pyrotechnic device exploded and pieces of it hit Szőrme's head causing a dramatic injury. Szőrme's head almost collapsed into two pieces, his corpus callosum
Corpus callosum
The corpus callosum , also known as the colossal commissure, is a wide, flat bundle of neural fibers beneath the cortex in the eutherian brain at the longitudinal fissure. It connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres and facilitates interhemispheric communication...
was cut by the pyrotechnic device. He was for three months in chomatic stage and he died for several times but medical doctors saved his life. The rock band Pokolgép still denies their responsibility for this accident. Szőrme is not able to work and to establish proper social contacts, however his mental capacity is still on over average level.
Most consistent lineups
1985-90József Kalapács, Gábor Kukovecz, László Nagyfi, György Pazdera, László Tarcza
2001-06
Joe Rudán, Gábor Kukovecz, Dávid Nagy, Csaba Pintér, Ede Szilágyi
Vocals
- László NémethLászló NémethLászló Németh was a Hungarian dentist, writer, dramatist and essayist. He was born in Nagybánya the son of József Németh and Vilma Gaál . Over the Christmas of 1925, he married Ella Démusz , the daughter of János Démusz, a keeper of a public house. Between 1926 and 1944 they had six daughters, but...
1982 - József Kalapács 1982-90
- József RudánJoe RudánJózsef "Joe" Rudán is the vocalist of Hungarian heavy metal band Pokolgép since 1990 to 2010. He is also a bass guitarist, but now he doesn't play on bass guitar in any of his current bands.-Bands:1978: Ewerest - bass, vocals...
1990-2010 - Attila TóthAttila TóthAttila Tóth is a Hungarian ice dancer. He competed with Klára Engi. Together, they placed 16th at the 1984 Winter Olympics, 7th at the 1988 Winter Olympics, and 7th at the 1992 Winter Olympics. Their highest placement at the World Figure Skating Championships was 4th, which they achieved in 1989...
2010–present
Guitars
- Gábor KukoveczGábor KukoveczGábor Kukovecz is the lead guitarist and forming member of the Hungarian heavy metal band Pokolgép. He appears on each and every Pokolgép release, having been in the band since its formation in 1982. He is the band's main songwriter and lyricist, and sometimes appears as a keyboardist on the...
1982–present - István Maza 1982-83
- József Révi 1983-84
- László Nagyfi 1984-90
- Péter KunPéter KunPéter Kun was a Hungarian hard rock guitarist. He played for such bands like Pokolgép or Edda művek. He died in a motorcycle accident in 1993; he was barely 26 years old...
1990 - Norbert Jung 1991-94
- László Láris 1998-2000
- Dávid NagyDávid NagyDávid Nagy was the guitarist of the Hungarian heavy metal band Pokolgép. He was the member of the band from 2001 to 2010, but has written lyrics from the 2000 album Csakazértis.-External links:*...
2001–2010 - Zalán Z. Kiss 2011-present
Drums
- Dezső Nógrádi 1982-83
- András Gyenizse 1983-85
- László Tarcza 1985-94
- Ede Szilágyi 1996-2006
- Csaba Czébely 2006–2010
- Márton Veress 2011-present
Albums
- 1986: Totális MetalTotális MetalTotális Metal is the debut album of Hungarian heavy metal band Pokolgép. The band was one of the first metal bands in Hungary, and they were definitely the first to release a metal album and single . Totális Metal has very strong Judas Priest and Accept influences...
- 1987: Pokoli színjáték
- 1989: Éjszakai bevetés
- 1990: Metál az ész
- 1990: Koncertlemez (live)
- 1991: Adj új erőt
- 1992: Vedd el, ami jár
- 1995: Az utolsó merénylet (live)
- 1996: A gép
- 2000: Csakazértis
- 2001: Ancient Fever (Csakazértis - English version)
- 2001: Live (live)
- 2002: Te sem vagy más
- 2002: Momentum (Végtelen úton) (re-recorded ballads)
- 2004: A túlélő
- 2006: Oblatio (re-recorded songs, acoustic)
- 2007: Pokoli mesék
- 2010: Újratöltve-Live
Singles
- 1983: Ki Mit Tud '83 (split single)
- 1984: Radio Recording Session '84
- 1985: A Sátán/A maszk (single)
Guesting
- 2002: Somewhere in Hungary (A Tribute to Iron Maiden) (Joe performing The Number of the BeastThe Number of the Beast (song)"The Number of the Beast" is Iron Maiden's seventh single and the second single from Iron Maiden's 1982 album of the same name. The song is inspired by both a nightmare bandleader and bassist Steve Harris had after watching the movie Damien: Omen II, and the storyline of the poem Tam o' Shanter...
) - 2005: BálnaVadÁszok (A Tribute to Moby Dick) (Joe performing a duet with Kalapács and Moby Dick)
External links
- Official website (in Hungarian)
- Encyclopaedia Metallum (in English)