On entering the recently refurbished and renamed "Relentless" Garage, the first thing that struck me was the hordes of cut off denims emblazed with various patches of bands from yesteryear. Each patch worn with pride like a badge of honour, honouring their metal heritage and dare I say it, a faint smell of junkie juice lingered in the air.

Accompanied by the soundtrack of Eighties WASP classics emanating from the PA, you could easily be forgiven for thinking Nu Metal had never existed, and surely, than can only be a good thing?

First band to take the stage were German power metallers, Brainstorm, who after recently arriving in the UK after a gruelling fourteen hour journey, displayed no signs of fatigue, as they took the capital by the jugular with their dynamic brand of melodic, power metal. Not releasing their vice like metal grip until they reached the finale of their forty minute set that spanned their twenty year career, even throwing in a couple of tracks from soon to be released eighth album, 'Memorial Roots' to whet the eager fans appetite.

Their jewel in their crown being their charismatic, vocalist Andy B Frank who not only owns one of the best metal voices on the current metal scene in my opinion, but also sports a great sense of humour. Proving you can be German and have a sense of humour and I can assure you we're not talking 'Heavy Metal Hamsters' here.

The first thing you observe about Primal Fear's muscular, behemoth vocalist Ralf Scheepers is that he wouldn't look out of place, stood at the door at some tawdry nightspot, yet when he opens his mouth and that voice is released, you have laid witness to possibly the best Metal vocalist of his generation.

Appraisals on various music forums of Primal Fear's more recent albums have been none too favourable, so tonight's set list was quite a brave move as they concentrated a wealth of material from the last three albums, a move that ultimately paid off, judging by the amount of raised horns in the air.

The excitement levels when old favourites, 'Battalions of Hate', 'Nuclear Fire' and 'Jaws of Death' are introduced however could surely only be matched by the news of a wealthy relative suddenly passing away and leaving you a fortune.

After a duel guitar contest mid set by Henny Wolter and Voodoo Circle's Alex Beyrodt filling in for resident six stringer Magnus Karlsson, It was a quick gallop through 'Sign Of Fear' from the 'New Religion' album, featuring a vocal range that sadly Rob Halford can only reminisce about these days.

The anthemic 'Metal is Forever' followed, and though admittedly it is cheesier than the entire Kraft industry, but if you leave your brains at the door along with your broad sword and raise your fist high, this is the perfect sing along, in honour of the Fear's metal majesty.

As we awaited the encores with bated breath, the road crew placed three stools across the stage and then the dreaded acoustic guitar is placed on stage, which is usually my cue for a repeat visit to the bar, but when the band return to the stage delivering an accomplished version of 'Hands Of Time', that features shared vocals by each member of the band, that could melt even the metalest of hearts, even mine.

The title track from the 'Seven Seals' album was up next, during which a brief scuffle broke out to my right, but what the hell, when you have this much testosterone in the room then there's bound to be causalities.

The night finished off with a storming Priest-esque, 'Chain Breaker' from the debut album that wrapped things up perfectly.  As I left the venue, ready for battle, I soon realised that it's not my trusty steed but the underground that will complete my final journey back to Ealing ahead of another arduous journey on that yellow bus from Hades, but at least I was happy in the knowledge the metal was still beating strong in my heart.