It's St, Patrick's day in the Welsh capital and whilst the streets are awash with drunken revellers sporting comedic Irish headwear courtesy of the local Irish public houses, I'm seeking sanctuary in Cardiff's premier music venue the Clwb Ifor Bach making ready for one the finest triple rock bills I've witnessed in quite a while.

First to hit the stage are Barnsley stormers G.U. Medicine. I first witnessed this band opening for The Wildhearts at Cardiff's now defunct Point venue a few years back and was so impressed with the band's performance that evening I ordered their 'Saints Of Excess' album the following day, but can they evoke those same emotions tonight?

Too fucking right they can, they may have experienced a line up change since the first time I witnessed them, Richard Murray and Rik Whitehead replacing original vocalist Lee Storrar and late drummer Pete Wiliams, but they certainly rock just as hard. If you like your rock to be dirty, loud and heavy, played with low slung guitars and plenty of attitude with choruses that remain in your head whilst you're queuing for post-alcohol sustenance in chip alley then G.U. Medicine are the band for you. 

A much heavier affair live than on record, G.U. Medicine are the perfect appetiser for tonight's feast of rock.

It may only be March but I may have already found my Uber Rock Album Of The Year courtesy of Holy Grail's 'Crisis In Utopia', a fantastic slab of old school metal, so I was particularly animated to watch the band live. As they take to the stage, never have I witnessed a band that simply sweats metal from every pore, resembling Manowar's younger siblings, these guys were born to play metal. As vocalist James Paul Luna takes the stage in a cut-off leather jacket with accompanying studded wristbands and releases that voice, you know you've just experienced something special. They may originate from Pasadena, California but they have one foot firmly set in the NWOBHM, and if I closed my eyes I could almost be standing in Tonypandy Naval Club circa 1980. Holy Grail play metal as though their lives depend on it, guitarists Eli Santana and James J Larue throwing shapes and licks throughout, along with the thunderous rhythm section courtesy of man mountain bassist Blake Mount and drummer Tyler Meahl. In vocalist James Paul Luna they have one of the finest metal vocalists of our time rivalling Rob Halford in his prime with his impressive vocal range. Playing a wealth of material from their 'Crisis In Utopia' album it would always be the Youtube favourite 'My Last Attack' that would be the highlight of the set. Let's hope they return to these shores soon.

This current touring package is a double headliner with a revolving headline spot; tonight in their homeland it is the turn of Uber Rock favourites Revoker to fill the headline slot, yet I don't envy their task of following Holy Grail. As the band tear through opening number 'Psychoville' any reservations I may have had vanish as the band are simply on fire tonight. Revoker demonstrate an overwhelming confidence, and with tonight's set showcasing their soon to be released debut album 'Revenge For The Ruthless' you really can't blame the band for their self assurance.

As I've stated in the past Revoker display a perfect blend of heaviness along with great infectious choruses that will hopefully see them playing to bigger venues very soon. Their recent stint on the Rob Zombie tour has definitely paid dividends for the lads as the band have really grown as a live act and it doesn't take a genius to realise why Skindred frontman Benji Webbe (who is in attendance tonight) has put so much faith in the band. Songs such as 'The Great Pretender', 'Thief' and 'Will Not Be Moved' feel like old favourites already and it feels strange to think I had never witnessed the band live until the tail end of 2010 and I for one can't wait for the album. The band throws in a couple of mischievous snippets of Pantera and Black Sabbath before stirring up a pit for 'Hate Inside'.

They weren't going to leave before playing my personal favourite, their current single and official theme for Martial Arts event Bamma, 'Stay Down'. Finishing with a blistering 'Born To Be An Outlaw' proving these Rhymney boys have got the chops to rival any band.

Three fantastic slabs of rock perfection for under a tenner, you can't ask for a better St. Patrick's Day.

Photo Kudos - Sarah Thomas