It would be fair to say that tonight openers Sunlounger are something of a revelation. So shortly after the untimely demise of Doncaster's mighty sleaze merchants Group Dogdrill it's a huge relief to find a band who are more than capable of making a loud and dirty rock 'n' roll noise whilst still having great catchy tunes. They seem to be making a whole bunch of new friends here tonight judging by the crowd reaction, and rightly so. A few new tracks are aired tonight and sound superb; when the next album finally emerges it'll certainly be one to watch for. You can't argue with a band who's sound resembles the best bits of Therapy?, The Almighty and Group Dogdrill blended together can you?

The Almighty stroll out to a hero's welcome they richly deserve and the drums kick in for Galvanise. Then the bass. Then the vocals. It's pretty obvious that someone's forgotten about the guitars and Ricky starts throwing seriously evil glances to those responsible. The problem's sorted out soon enough and its immediately obvious that The Almighty are every bit as aggressive and powerful as ever. We're treated (and I do mean treated!) to an ingeniously picked set that offers a great selection of old and new tracks, although focusing more on the bands self-titled 'reformation' album and this years excellent Psycho Narco. In a scene so often concerned with image and rock star bullshit its refreshing to see a band stripped down to the basics. It makes you wish there were more acts playing with the kind of passion and heart-on-your-sleeve belief in the music and message that's on display from Warwick and co tonight rather than pissing around with fireworks, explosions, make-up and all manner of other pointless, attention grabbing bollocks. We're all here for the music and that's precisely what we're getting. Addiction, Wrench, Look What Happened Tomorrow, 360, Barfly, Human Machine all sound stompingly perfect and even the relatively lo-fi (and suitably ace) Waiting For Earthquakes doesn't break the flow. Finishing off with the almost impossibly brilliant Jonestown Mind (and those fantastic backing vocals) the place erupts in a boune-a-long, sing-a-long frenzy. Oh, and then the!
re's an encore too for more fun.

Mid-way through the final number Warwick shouts "If you don't know this next bit, I don't know where the fuck you've been" And boy do we know it, "WILD.. WILD AND WONDERFUL!" 

Just how good was that? Very good indeed thanks for asking.

Mark Stephens