Solace Denied turn in their usual solid set, but it's as workmanlike as ever, not so much in execution as in the restrictions that their ultra-basic, try-to-please-everybody style places on them. (D)

Slavestate, despite their differences, come across as a Solace Denied with oomph. Or perhaps we should turn that analysis on its head by saying that Slavestate are at last striking out on their own leaving SD and similar strugling to be noticed. (D)

Decimate, for this scribe, are the first troupe of the day to kick this dismal, drizzly Sunday squarely up the arse and it's not long before the band's taught HC barrage has a few cagey, bar hugging metallers nodding in approval. (D)

Labrat are a lesser-known quantity in the North, but seem to win new friends this afternoon with their abrasive rhythmic grooves, spastik tempo changes and ear-piercing shrieks, gargles, grunts and growls from a vocalist so intent on looking like a vagrant he drags on a ciggie throughout the first song. (JH)

Bloodstream are a strickly local phenomenon. So local, in fact, that at least two thirds of their attendant audience appear to know them personally. Strangely, their fluid amalgam of metal styles, perhaps lost in the heat of a London night, drifts agreeably around a venue now considerably inebriated. (D)

Not having seen Freebase grind the boards underfoot before, I simply had no idea what to expect. Their snarling juggernaut of various 'cores and metallic muscle had more than yours truly spluttering in his watery pint, and let's just say that I immediately bought the album. (D)

<-- Solace Denied

As one of today's bigger names, Hecate Enthroned draw a more active crowd. Frontman Dean, for all his spikes, bulging, insane eyes and spidery arm movements, has difficutly drawing the eye away from the keyman. Looking ever more like Anton lavey, Daz attacks his synths, shrouded with the symbol of Baphomet, so intently that the whole lot looks set to crush the front row. Relative newie 'New Day Emerges' makes an appearance, confirming this scribe's concerns that Hecate's more experimental recent material would be difficult for the band to pull off live, but this is only a minor blip in an otherwise solid black metal set. (JH)

The Enchanted, fresh from their Terrorizer Xmas Bash triumph, are both nervous and on a charge tonight. Stepping into the breach opened up by the regrettable slew of line-up cacellations they give their all, knowing that they've nothing to lose but obscurity. The assembled throng rage at their size 12 feet and even the hardcore dudes are generously taking an interest. There's a lot riding on their upcoming album. (D)

The Enchanted -->

Warning! Stampin' Ground are an audience-participation band! It would have been nice to see the hilherto sticly-segregated audiences of metal and hardcore fans united by the UK's most acclaimed metalcore act of the moment, but tonight strictly choreographed slamming filled the floor, much to the bemusement of the long-hairs sipping pints and trading nervous glances on the periphery. Singer Adam is bursting with energy, faltering only when an amp blows, otherwise delivering a torrent of righteous beloowing and grivng props to everyone who crosses his mind. Closing, inevitably and explosively with 'Officer Down', SG tonight confirm that they are a pro band on top of their game. (JH)