As young upstarts Heart Of A Coward hit the stage I'm immediately taken by their enthusiasm and apparently bang-on metallic hardcore, that is until about two songs in my addled brain has a moment of clarity and I realise that they are playing to a backing track and also using a click-track.  Hence they 'fucked it up' in my book big-time. Churning out some great breakdowns and being heavy as fuck whilst having enough energy to last an old fart like me a lifetime means fuck-all if a backing track plays your melodies and your rhythm section might as well be a drum machine. Play it live or fuck off.

The disgust generated by the opening debacle soon subsides however as Cardiff nutters Shaped By Fate hit the stage...literally. Well, guitarist Richie climbs atop the bar and vocalist Paul hits the dance floor to be exact. Peddling their vicious metalcore to the fairly sparse crowd they pull out all the stops, constantly goading the audience to "beat the fuck out of each other". This lot are absolutely fucking storming live, creating a spectacle and atmosphere that's equal parts Converge, Fucked Up, The Bronx and Zeke. If you get the chance to see this lot on any of their upcoming dates, make sure you're there but take some body armour and a crash helmet.  Fucking ace.

Dutch bruisers Born From Pain have gone through a fair few personnel changes over the years but throughout their career they've always produced consistently excellent records and put on superb live shows. Tonight keeps up that trend with ex-bassist Rob now well bedded into his new role on vocal duties and proving quite the frontman. Their metallic hardcore may get them European-Hatebreed comparisons but who gives a fuck? They deliver live big-time. Heavy as fuck, brutal as fuck, and when they hit their stride on songs like 'The New Hate' you find yourself banging your head like there's no tomorrow. Their breakdowns also absolutely crush. They might not have drawn a huge crowd tonight but those who did make it get an absolute treat from a band right on top of their game.