Wolflaw, The Smoking Hearts, Slave to Nature, 91 Pieces, Carnal, The Escape.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 15th December 2007.

With the festive season almost upon us, the traditional One For The Underground winter extravaganza otherwise known as Craven's Christmas Cracker features six bands that lean heavily towards the local scene. It was due to be seven, but unfortunately due to illness Showing Tonight had to withdraw.

Opening were THE ESCAPE. A young indie rock band comprising of Robert Collins (guitar), Ed Ireland (bass) and Matt Jarman (drums). Mixing their own material with a few chosen covers, they show at times a composed maturity beyond their tender years. A real bluesy sound eminates from some of their songs, while the 'Jamesesque' "Daylight" ends an impressive set.

Death metal trio CARNAL change the mood and atmosphere dramatically. The chilling black back-drop gives full effect to a band that, due to other commitments, only gig very rarely. A shame because they are so musically radical for a town that has no peers to what they produce. It's a short set full of intense emotion.

One of the most improved young local bands of 2007 has to be 91 PIECES. They have just recently recorded an EP of which tracks "ASBO", "Co ro bo" and "R'n'R" are performed here this evening. The confidence gleaned from the experience is evident as they are tighter in all departments. With true to life lyrics, lets hope their good progress can continue.

SLAVE TO NATURE are minus their regular guitarist, so in stepped Danny from HeKz. Although high in effort, it's a set that for me lacks any spark. It's routine rock, competant but slightly mundane.

Last year's Christmas Cracker saw THE SMOKING HEARTS put on an over the top boorish appearance. Tonight the boys are back on top form and they literally blow me away with their performance. It's vibrant, loud, exciting and utterly cohesive. Highly respected on the local scene, they proved tonight just why they have that reputation. Guitars talked, drums exploded and the vocalist just moulded and knitted it together with equal force. A dynamic show of strength.

With all their experience of touring the country this year, WOLF LAW's last appearance of 2007 is sadly tepid and rather flat. The lads just seemed to go through the motions and the adrenaline that always seems to flow was strangely missing. Perhaps a wake-up call to recharge the batteries for an assault on 2008.