Abadden, Ascension, Enraged Horizon, Captain Dread.

Lev 2. Esquires Bedford. 6th October 2010.

A rare Wednesday evening gig saw a metal night on level 2. Making their Esquires debut are CAPTAIN DREAD. For this Bedfordshire based five piece, tonight is their first proper gig. They relish and seize the moment. Although rough round the edges, they are fuelled by adrenalin and enthusiasm. The overall sound passages are conceived and presented in formulaic structure which are slightly predictable. However, they do contain a rather hyperactive vocalist who is only too eager to vent his anger. "Live a life of metal" he cries! Constantly darting from stage to mosh pit, his fitness level is to be applauded. Of their material, I particularly liked "Hurdy Gurdy" which did have some guitar variation and the climaxing "Current Season has Started".

Slightly more experienced are ENRAGED HORIZON. A trio, they play with much abandon and all rock's ingredients are included. Most of their songs follow a similar pattern. A slow eerie build up to be followed by a full on percussive onslaught. The band's engaging frontman does, however, struggle with the quieter vocal parts of the set. The material is led by "Who Sees". It's their new song that is met by a hushed reverence at its close. Also of note is "Pete's Song" (they admit that they haven't got around to giving it a proper title). An Avenged Sevenfold cover probably gets the most audience reaction. Enraged Horizon also please their long term supporters by including "Well Wishes", which is the first song that the band wrote.

ASCENSION are maturing nicely. A good stage presence is combined with a varied portfolio of songs. They are a band I look out for and they seldom let me down. Their live show is just a full on energy romp. As they lay down their heavy slabs of melodic metal, Ascension's songs are more pop friendly than perhaps they think. For me, that is the band's appeal. Tonight the quartet are joined by original guitarist Jon. This extra fire power is an additional bonus. Possessing a good frontman is vital to any band and these boys have it in abundance as Mikey has a magnetic presence. For the first and only time during the set some serious moshing takes place. On what I feel has been a soulless night, the youngsters in attendance finally appear to be enjoying themselves. On the excellent "Inverse", Ascension are assisted by the vocal skills of Josh Cato.

Oh dear! I can feel a rant coming on. Why most of the crowd left before the appearance of headliners ABADDEN is beyond me. This fearsome foursome are building on their blossoming reputation which is being healthily cultivated in the metal press. Their excellent debut album "Sentenced to Death" (on Rising Records) makes this South Beds band a live must see! Well, obviously not for a lot of the paying public this evening. Tonight, I detect a more hardcore sound which suits them well. The only downside is the somewhat over the top, pretentious and bloated intro. In front of the sparse (and it was) gathering, it turned into something a touch ridiculous. Once they unleash their tunes, Dan, Bill, John and Bell are a force to be reckoned with. The band seem so comfortable with each others skills. Their sheer power and presence towers over the evening. The set is encapsulated with "Atomic Devastation". "Get you heads banging to this!" demands Dan. The result is pulverising. Abadden, rarely seen in Bedford but, for this reviewer, always most welcome.