Let’s put this into perspective, TFL has hardly any tube lines running, it’s a Sunday and I have a stinking cold…but it has been 28 years since Pretty Maids have played the UK (support to Saxon), so this was one show I was not going to miss, especially based on this Danish bands recent studio album ‘Motherland’, a review of which can be found here http://tinyurl.com/qy5t6mv 

Opening band Tainted Nation only just made it, vocalist Pete Newdeck (drummer of Eden’s Curse) had traffic issues, but a shortened and breezier set made the relatively sparse crowd enjoy the bands clear commitment. Although I did not know this band, some of the members like guitarist Ian Nash (and the aforementioned Pete Newdeck) have recorded with the Steve Grimmett band on their 2007 album ‘Personal Crisis’. Tainted Nation’s music is what I can best describe as good time British hard rock with strong commanding vocals. The overall sound was a little bass heavy but that did not really matter too much when their current single ‘Loser’ was belted out. This is a band I will certainly check out and fair do’s for them giving cool showmanship on the crowded stage as they had to set up their drums in front of the headliners kit, but still had the ability to work the crowd during their limited time slot.

Cage Of Gods are a rather young band from the UK and listening to them online before this show I kind of knew what to expect. Although I did find the vocals were a little strained live, compared to the recorded material but then again I often find this nowadays where studio recordings often hide the real deal you see on stage. ‘Bruce Willis’ was a nice track, but that’s it, it was a nice show, there was nothing of substance that made the show commanding and I did not think they were as popular as the openers, I may be wrong, but that’s what I thought.

After a long wait and stage set up, Pretty Maids burst onto the stage with ‘Mother of All Lies’ which is a very commanding track from their latest release ‘Motherland’. The sound was pretty good from all corners of the building although I did sometimes find Ronnie Atkins’ vocals a little lost in the mix at times even though they are were very powerful. There is a massive amount of crowd interaction to the now swelling venue, it’s a shame everyone didn’t give the support bands the same level of attendance. One of my favourites of their recent material ‘Sad To See You Suffer’ has me singing away like a trooper and even ‘Why So Serious’ has the same effect. What makes the newer tracks stand out live for me is their ability to catch you with their melody rather than pure out and out guitar driven hard rock although classics such as ‘Needles In the Dark’ still have the power. Drummer Allan Tschicaja is on fire, he is pounding the drum kit behind the band whilst bassist ‘Shades’ is beaming from ear to ear feeding off the crowd reaction. Once the band get to ‘Back to Back’ and other material like ‘Queen of Dreams’ from the ‘Red, Hot and Heavy’ release, the crowd are in the bands pocket. Hammerfall fans may recognise the former track from their debut release, the original version sounds so fresh and the guitar tone is great. Speaking of the guitars, then John Sykes’ track ‘Please Don’t Leave Me’ is played, long standing original guitarist Ken Hammer brings out a beautifully painted Les Paul with Phil Lynott’s image on it, then the guitar tones changes into the soulful tone associated with this warm feeling track. I last saw this band in Germany about 4 years ago, and tonight at a club show I felt much more part of things. Their stage craft was excellent and the crowd justifiably became rampant and one with the band. They said they would come back (“it shouldn’t be 28 years this time as we’ll probably be dead!” stated Ronnie Atkins) to the UK and I really hope this transpires as this is a band that deserve much more attention on this Island than they have to date.  Pretty Maids played a great show and were clearly having fun on stage and I am sure those who attended wouldn’t disagree with me that this was a real feel good show.

Review and Photos Paul Maddison