Pokolgép

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 Moby Dick. The name "Pokolgép" literally means Infernal Machine, but is the Hungarian word for a home-made bomb.

History

The early years

Pokolgép was started by Gábor Kukovecz, Endre Paksi and Tibor Varga in the late 1970s. Kukovecz was taught to play the guitar by Prognózis guitarist/singer István Vörös who suggested the less offending name "Kommandó". They used this name for some months before changing it back to Pokolgép. The life of the band was very difficult because of their poverty and the government's negative attitude towards the band. They were playing semi-illegal concerts on the edge of Budapest, and after some time they became known. They had several drummers and guitarists until they found László Nagyfi for playing the second guitar and András Gyenizse for drums. In 1985, Paksi left the band due to personal conflicts (he couldn't agree with Kukovecz on the leading of the band) and went on to form Ossian. He was replaced by György Pazdera on the bass guitar. Some months later, 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 state-organised talent-searching festival), so they were allowed to 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 single with two songs ("A Sátán" and "A maszk").