Hostile; unfriendly, antagonistic, marked by malevolence, openly opposed to something, to act in an intimidating or offensive manner.......

None of the above? Hostile Promotions is a South Wales heavy metal promotions company whose aim it is to get as many bands as possible playing live music without prejudice to who or whatever they play.

"Hello Ebbw Vale, we are Counterhold" and the madness begins. Coming on with 'The Beast Within' and 'Stand Or Die' the Cwmbran five-piece impact with screaming vocals, bouncing riffs and plenty of opening act early in the evening crowd engagement. Plenty of groove on offer from the fella sat behind the kit on'Underground' and slowing things down a tad on 'Inner Scream' frontman Steven Jenkins enquires "Ebbw Vale, you still with us" before storming into 'Charred Remains' and 'Isolation'and they're outta here with Counterhold chants ringing in their ears from the EVI metal masses.

Hitting the stage on absolute fire and full of attitude and stage presence Outgunned are another fine product off the Welsh music scene production line. 'Tunnel Vision' and 'Through The Eyes Of Despair' are great although it must be said we at Uber HQ do favour the bass to be slung around the lower torso region unlike the Outgunned four stringer, he still puts the groove in nonetheless. With some mighty fine joint riffage the lead guitarist stomps around his own little stage area with his obvious Anthrax/Overkill influence. 'Beneath A Smile', 'Catharsis' and 'Rats & Parasites' show loads of belief and direction from the Newport lads whose first visit to the Vale is met with loud applause and when they welcome local legend Fell On Black Days singer Gavin Robinson up for a little duet, that EVI stage is rattling.

With Maiden's 'Run To The Hills' clanging from the PA Hostile Promotions mainman Steven Joseph takes to the stage with his band Cannibal God and instantly the intensity is stepped up a gear. A growling dual hardcore vocal attack with some decent Pantera-esque licks, plenty of brutal stage theatrics and if you look past that hardcore element there's a little Korn type thing going down within the band amidst all the angst that's coming forth from the two front-growlers; those guys must have blisters on their tonsils judging by tonight's performance;vision, vision, vision and plenty of it.

All of a sudden local metal big hitters Fell On Black Days have entered the arena. 'Tooth & Nail', 'Some More Than Others', 'Mea Culpa'; it's quite evident that a large chunk of tonight's punters have paid their hard earned to witness these guys and with a "Thank You, We're The House Band" from the aforementioned Gavin Robinson, my mind wanders with the thoughts The Beatles - The Cavern Club, Fell On Black Days - The EVI......

Classy dual guitar from Mark Tranter and Matt Hall ably assisted by drummer Shaun Hodson and bassist Jason Morgan playing in an almost fortress-like environment surrounded by fans sees the likes of 'Talion', 'Promises Promises' and 'Bone Of Contention' slay.....and they're away - Fell On Black Days have left the building.

Please welcome all the way from Birmingham, The Catharsis; hoods, beards, emotional, angst-ridden young gentlemen, this exciting hardcore outfit kick proceedings off with 'Deletist Deviant' and 'Party Scars'. "You don't know us and we don't know you" retorts vocalist Morgan on their debut visit to this fair borough and my pen can't keep up with the stage antics of these upstarts......and that EVI stage is currently being doubled up as a trampoline buckling under their constant musical hardcore ninja show - catch these if you can...Morgan takes to the pit area and even disappears briefly under the stage, all in the name of.......

Is it that time already? It's Chico....no headline time, and tonight's act in question is Ten Cent Toy. Doom-laden, well put together tunes and, as the house lights partially come up pretty early in the set, the band play on regardless full pelt,with the over enthusiastically and delightfully named bassist Pit Worker commanding things from the stage. Scream, shout and scream again is how this is going down with Counterhold frontman Steve Jenkins jamming it for yet another blistering vocal confrontation and it must be said some elegant dance moves from The Catharsis and such in the audience......

Another top alternative night out at South Wales's best new venue and tonight's message is jump, jump and jump some more and ,before you leave me, keep an eye out for a Hostile Promotions event coming to a town near you soon.............

[Photos by Ashlea Matthews]

Ashlea Bea Photography