Whilst suffering some pangs of regret on entering the Underworld tonight and not the following night when Rotten Sound would be playing, I was actually really looking forward to seeing two of Sweden's finest modern day exports. I've always been a sucker for the classic 80's metal that Bullet and Enforcer have brought back to the fore and so was looking forward to a night of cut-off denims, Flying V's and screaming guitar duels. And boy was I not disappointed!

First up were Canadians Skull Fist, who it appears have their colours nailed to the mast as soon as I spot both a white Flying V and a Rising Sun Sharkfin guitar waiting on stage to be wielded by Sir Shred and Jackie Slaughter respectively. From the first bars, it's clear these guys worship at the altars of Accept, Helloween, Iron Maiden and Anvil and second song 'Let's Get Frisky' also pays lyrical homage to the Cock Rock heyday of the 80's. With songs like 'No False Metal', 'Sign Of The Warrior' and 'Blackout' (not a cover version by the way) showing their straight-up metal credentials in all their shining glory, they slowly win over quite a new fans and truly seal the deal with a "one guitarist on the other's shoulders" trade-off solo to finish their set.

Despite the recent departure of guitarist Adam Zaars, Enforcer seem, if anything, invigorated by their trimming down to a quartet and the new role of vocalist Olof as guitarist/vocalist seems to suit him down to the ground, and judging by the chops he displayed he's obviously had hidden talents for some time. Fair play, the boy can shred. Whilst their 'Diamonds' album was good, for me it did lack a bit of oomph at times, but live Enforcer seem to have a much more aggressive sound and the pace they deliver their opening salvos at is breathtaking. 'Katana' and 'Midnight Vice' really hit the spot and their Walls Of Jericho-era Helloween delivery is absolutely spot on. Both guitarists are on fire and two indications of their total submersion in their art are Joseph Toll's solo in the middle of the crowd and the sight of Olof's blood-spattered white guitar. Real blood from frenetic shredding, I hasten to add. As they round their set off with 'Take Me To Hell' the crowd seem totally blown away by an utterly top-drawer display of melodic speed metal at it's very best.

Bullet seem to have won quite a few fans and friends over the past year or so courtesy of some choice tour slots and a cracking live show, and tonight is no exception. Drawing heavily on their 'Bite The Bullet' opus they deliver a heady mix of AC/DC and Accept to a venue full of the converted. Frontman Hell Hofer's resemblance to Messiah Marcolin is uncanny and his Thor t-shirt is a fashion statement that commands respect. The combined antics of Hampus Klang and Hofer mean the show has a serious amount of tongue planted firmly in cheek but their delivery of songs like 'Dusk Til Dawn' and their signature tune 'Bite The Bullet' ensure the music does the talking. The latter also brings the Accept influence right to the fore with guitarists Klang and Erik Alstrom, along with bassist Adam Hector displaying the songs title on the back of their raised guitars. Full 'Restless and Wild' homage, no less. As everyone present headbangs themselves to oblivion, Bullet send everyone off into the night, checking as they leave that they don't get knocked down by an Audi Quattro coupe. Welcome back to the 80's, we've missed you.