Live report NAPALM DEATH, WHIPLASH, THE VARUKERS & DOPELORD, Gruenspan, Hamburg – February 14th, 2026

The crushing weight of doom, the anarchic spirit of hardcore punk, the sheer force of thrash metal, and the raw aggression of grindcore—all of it can be experienced tonight at Gruenspan in Hamburg. Grindcore pioneers Napalm Death are currently on their “Campaign for Musical Destruction” tour, joined on the road by thrash metal veterans Whiplash, UK punk legends The Varukers, and Poland’s Dopehead.

An evening packed with explosive energy was scheduled to kick off at 8:00 p.m. The plan was to arrive at the venue about 30 minutes early, but a significant delay in public transportation caused by a football match quickly put an end to that idea. Upon arrival, it became clear that Dopelord had already started their set—well ahead of schedule.

Fortunately, there is still plenty of time to catch most of their performance. What the Polish four-piece delivers is a thunderous blend of doom metal infused with stoner elements. It’s hard to say how many people in the crowd are already familiar with Dopelord, but the band is met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Headbanging becomes a collective activity, as the slower, riff-heavy assault proved highly infectious.

Dopelord play for about 30 minutes, and despite their early start, more than just a handful of fans already gather in front of the stage. Without any need for encouragement, the band manage to draw people from the back of the room toward the front. It is the sheer power of the music that sparked that interest – and that’s exactly what live music is all about.

Having experienced the crushing intensity of doom metal, it’s time for a change of genre. The Varukers take to the stage and the night shifts from doom to punk. Formed in 1979, the band are among the pioneers of UK punk. They have fully absorbed the spirit of punk, and their 30-minute set is a pure display of rebellious energy — punk and hardcore that has survived unchanged over the decades.

Yes, everyone has grown older, but it is the spirit that truly matters. There is no doubt that frontman Anthony ‘Rat’ Martin and his charismatic stage presence are an integral part of tonight’s performance. He is constantly in motion, driven by adrenaline which quickly spreads to the crowd. First slam pits are forming at the front, and everyone seems to be fully absorbing the high-energy performance of these British punk and hardcore legends.

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The next band to take the stage is another legend. Thrash metal powerhouse Whiplash are ready to unleash a barrage of crushing riffs. Frontman Tony Portaro and his bandmates open with “Last Man Alive”, and what follows is a performance that truly embodies the spirit of heavy metal.

Like The Varukers earlier in the evening, Whiplash are clearly enjoying performing tonight. The first crowd surfers show that there are plenty of metalheads in attendance. For many of them, this is their first time seeing Whiplash live, while old-school are loud and present in the front row. This is the result of an informal ‘survey’ conducted by bassist Will Winton.

Whiplash deliver to the point, and it is the raw appeal of thrash metal that inevitably leads to sore necks from relentless headbanging. The trio, which also includes drummer Mitch Hall, close their set with a classic that fans have been waiting all night to hear. “Power Thrashing Death” serves as a furious finale to a powerful metal show. With the crowd still being euphoric, Tony Portaro takes an extra lap through the pit in front of the stage, shaking hands with fans who are fully embracing the moment.

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Talking about the band’s close connection with their fans also means mentioning The Varukers’ frontman, Anthony Martin, who can be found in the crowd, beer in hand, watching the other bands. The same is true during the headline act’s set.

Napalm Death are an experience. There’s the very polite and humble Barney Greenway, who unleashes a grindcore frenzy the moment he steps on stage. Iconic bass mastermind Shane Embury is not on this tour, so Adam Clarkson is playing bass and John Cooke is handling guitar duties. Cooke has been part of Napalm Death’s live lineup for many years.

The Birmingham-based grindcore veterans open their set with “Instinct of Survival”, and the energy in the room becomes instantly palpable. Napalm Death are not just a band playing a show; they are an overwhelming experience. The intensity that the band radiates through its music is hard to put into words. You have to experience it for yourself when songs like “Scum” and “Amoral” ignite slam pits across the floor.

Crowd surfers fill the air and, at one point, two fans take things a bit too far, with security escorting them towards the exit. Greenway then reminds the crowd that nothing is worth a fight, reinforcing the sense of mutual respect that defines this raging set.

People came to have fun, and their expectations are fully met. Napalm Death challenge the foundations of Gruenspan, delivering a set bursting with raw energy and precision. Just before midnight, everyone leaves the venue exhausted and fuelled by adrenaline, carrying with them unforgettable memories of an intense night.