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Csaba Czébely

Pokolgép
Origin Budapest, Hungary
Genres Speed metal
Thrash metal
Heavy metal
Hard rock
Years active 1980–present
Labels Hammer, Nephilim, Hungaroton
Website pokolgep.hu
Members Attila Tóth
Gábor Kukovecz
Z. Kiss Zalán
Csaba Pintér
Kleineisel Márk
Past members László Németh
József Kalapács
Joe Rudán
József Révi
István Maza
László Nagyfi
Péter Kun
Norbert Jung
László Láris
Endre Paksi
György Pazdera
Dezsó Nógrádi
András Gyenizse
László Tarcza
László "Wladi" Karp
Ede Szilágyi
Dávid Nagy
Csaba Czébely
Veress Márton

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.

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").

A very special thing happened in 1986: the government allowed Hungaroton 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. Pokoli színjáték was first played in concert, and released days after.
In 1988-89, Pokolgép went on a European tour, 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 releasing 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.


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