The first of these, Rannoch, have apparently stepped in at the very last moment, which is lucky as they are absolutely tremendous.
Self-confessed "self indulgence of the highest order" (which round here is a good thing) the local boys play about five songs in the 50 minutes they are onstage - including one that is over 20 minutes long. Christ knows what they are singing about, but with songs like "Between Two Worlds" and closer "The Reckoning" they appear to be playing something that for now we'll call Black Prog (don't worry we'll think of something better later). Superb stuff.
Next up are Exumer. Originally around at the height of the Thrash Metal explosion, the Germans reformed a couple of years ago.
Theirs is the type of thrash that has one foot on the monitor while the other foot kicks you in the face. Tough, fast and uncompromising, they explain that they are nursing hangovers. Perhaps this hasn't helped their collective mood, but there is real anger in tracks like "Possessed By Fire" and "Fallen Saint." Arguably best of all is "Weakest Limb" a song which is, as singer Mem V Stein - who has biceps as big as his voice, which trust us makes him huge - puts it, "is about chopping your arms and legs off because you are sick in the head."
People can look round all they like for a thrash revival, but with very few exceptions (Savage Messiah, Diamond Plate and Evile being the obvious) modern metal hasn't produced much great stuff in this area. Good job, then, that the old guard are around still and whilst we usually prefer our thrash with a touch more guile than a fairly blatant copy of early Slayer, it is good to put your studded belt on and pretend its 1983. That's what Exumer are for.
If the early part of the evening is mired in confusion, it is cleared up straight from the horses mouth soon after Stein's men leave the stage. A crestfallen Walkiyer appears and explains the tale of woe that befell this show - which was to be the last time he performed Skyclad songs in this country.
Elvinking, who were due to be his backing band at these gigs, decided not to travel unless they got paid in full first, it didn't help that they only decided this six days ago. Add to this that Ravens Creed, who were originally the opening act, couldn't play as their singer is stuck in a Syrian war zone and many people would have cancelled altogether. What happened here, though, is that M:Pire Of Evil are bumped to headline.
Two of their number - guitarist Mantas and singer/bass player Tony "The Demolition Man" Dolan - used to be in Venom, indeed the former was a founder member. Playing together for a few years as M:Pire this is their first time in Brum ("the last time we played here was at The Hummingbird, is it still there?" Dolan enquires) and they are very, very good indeed.
Split between Venom songs and their own tunes, it is a crushing, heavy set. Venom songs "Don't Burn Witch" and "Die Hard" sound as fresh as when they emerged from that rancid studio thirty years ago, while MOE tracks like "Temples Of Ice" and "Hell To The Holy" are instant, horns up, heads down classics.
Walkiyer joins them - still apologising - for a two song run, which includes "Blzck Metal" - and if you want to know how influential Venom are then consider this: they named a genre after that song - before "In League With Satan" proves the Devil always did have the best tunes.
That this took place at all was of great credit to all involved. That it was so good was quite amazing. An evening that was - on so many levels and for so many reasons - an unexpected treat.
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