Featuring two of the UK’s premier metal talents and upcoming Belgium speed metal merchants, this is quite a low attended event, especially perplexing as it’s a prime Saturday slot. Although the last night of the Big Red venue might have had an influence. However, that means more space for yours truly! The sound overall was loud vs quality, which is something I have noted in the last couple of shows at this venue and usually taking a couple of tracks to balance the sound out.

Skyryder are an excellent metal band from the North East of England, I first saw them live with Visigoth and Bewitcher a little while ago. That really blew me away and tonight there is a similar stance. The band have real fun on stage, all members displaying charisma, vocalist Luke Mills especially provide confidence, power and a great range in his singing. ‘Invaders’ is a stellar song, many elements combine and there is a real sense of true heavy metal occurring. ‘Mistress of the Darkness’ is a new track, there is a massive Visigoth influence here, and you may get my meaning on where the band are coming from? What thrills me with this band is the attitude and presence on stage. This is clearly a comfortable place for them to reside. Watch out for their debut release on High Roller records out soon. I have high hopes for this band. They thoroughly deserve it.

Next up are Belgium’s Speed Queen. A band I was particularly looking forward to seeing. Their singer Thomas Kenis has the sparse crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. The remainder of the band aim to match his intensity. Their EP rocks hard, the tracks that are more speed metal orientated rock harder for me but I never really felt too much of a connection tonight. I did enjoy their Rose Tattoo cover ‘Nice Boys… (Don’t Play Rock N Roll)’ which got a small piece of audience participation and their lighting was the best out of all three bands. I would like to catch them again as the sound wasn’t too good, it was basically too loud for clarity.

Headliners and UK scene foundation stone Toledo Steel are up next. With a clear advantage of stage experience, their show is rather effortless and looks very comfortable. Guitarist Tom Potter is awash with hair swinging and head banging. Drummer Matt Dobson hits the skins really friggin’ hard. Singer Richard Rutter, well, I’ve already said I feel there are many mannerisms and comparison to singers like Bruce Dickinson, he knows his craft but constantly fighting the live mix through the PA. The whole band have a strong chemistry and an older favourite ‘City Lights’ is pleasing to hear once again a top volume. The big plus of this set was a new track airing. This was ‘Writings on the Wall’. Well, the indication of where their next album will go is very promising.

Overall, what a fine example of young metal sensations are on offer tonight.

Paul Maddison