Millennium Of Blood – The Bear Tavern – Saturday 5th September 2009

Can it really be a year since Adust headlined Pink's last birthday bash? Rhetorical question....

Start The Hourglass got the night under way. Having witnessed their first gig at the Black Horse I was amazed at how far they'd progressed. Their set was an exercise in dynamics, with ambient sections blending into spells of all out fury seamlessly. Even during their extreme workouts they still retained an underlying groove. STHG contributed a stunning set and started the evening off in fine fashion. Setlist; “The Fourth Estate”, “Jog On”, “Oil And Water”, “Munchausen”, “Chapters”.

Kataleptic served up their customary hybrid of old and new school death metal, and the brutality was clinical in its execution. Matt dedicating “Womb Pounder” to Pink, and the drummer's luminous sticks were both particularly memorable. Hopefully 2010 will see them play more gigs and get the attention they deserve. Setlist; “Intoxicated Desecration”, “Backhouse Whore”, “Synapse”, “Souless Endeavour”, “Womb Pounder”, “Full Circle”.

Acres Of Ocean had pulled out of last year's gig due to an unfortunate injury sustained by their drummer. No such worries tonight as they played a set which combined ethereal sections, and passages of mayhem, stylishly and seemingly effortlessly. The newer material had a darker tinge, and sat comfortably with the more established tracks in their repertoire. More label interest in the New Year I would suspect? Setlist; “Fables”, “Cymatics”, “Atkinson”, “Oceanic”, “Battles”.

Nocturnal Resurrection rounded the evening off with a punishing display lurking somewhere on the border between thrash and death metal. Staggeringly this was the first time I'd seen them play, although the reports from my trusted sources were spot on as they bulldozed their way through their set. Hugely enjoyable, they are a band I need to see again in the not too distant future. Setlist; “Surgical Deviant”, “Dead Don't Know They're Dead”, “Survive The Mutation”, “Blood Of The Kill”, “Cease To Exist”, “Dead Or Undead”.

It only remains for Pink and myself to thank all the bands for their efforts, and for the fine performances from them all. Thanks to the fans for their support – we hope to see you at the Halloween gig for an evening of doom and fancy dress silliness!