We all knew this was going to be special. Sweden’s premier thrash-metal titans, Nevada’s heaviest thrash tigers and our very own beatdown kings head to head on a bill that looks to threaten the eardrums of even the most seasoned gumbie veteran. Although judging by the admirable barnets dotted around the venue such hairiness appears to block much of the noise being thrown at them, as the shouts of “turn the vocals up” during The Haunted’s set seem to reinforce.

That said, openers December, although viciously abrasive on their ‘Lament Configuration’ album, seem to have spilt the soundman’s beer or something because they just are not enjoying any of the power normally deserved to them, wading through a dampened sound where the likes of ‘Token Gesture’ and ‘Icenine’ suffer an unflattering muddiness.

Mysteriously, this seems to have been remedied by the time Stampin’ Ground take the stage, but then when have Stampin’ Ground EVER been anything short of intense, pounding and downright heavy once they take to the stage? And tonight they seem even more energised and visibly excited to be showcasing tracks off their forthcoming new album. With new material morphing into a marked Pantera-esque beatdown groove the SG lads are disappointing no-one and for those who hadn’t yet been beaten up in the pit they undertake their, now infamous, ‘parting of the crowd’ routine making sure no-one leaves without at least an armful of colourful bruises!

And so onto The Haunted. There aren’t many thrash-metal acts capable of virtually selling out a venue of this size but then, The Haunted aren’t your average thrash metal act. Pulverising in every sense of the word and blessed with an acute sense of melody The Haunted are a rare breed and from the first jagged thumps of ‘Privation of Faith Inc’ from their new album ‘One Kill Wonder’ they have everyone slayed. Their new material has drawn comparisons to a rejuvenated thrash Slayer and indeed the sheer brutal intensity displayed recalls Slayer’s classic performance at the similarly sized Rock City 3 years ago.

Despite being considered metal Gods by those with a large appetite for extreme metal riffage and fret-teasing solos The Haunted are more the humorous grounded types than the ‘metal warriors’ attributed to many of their European counterparts. And as vocalist Marco screams “Suck on this lollipop!!” before bursting into the super-melodic set classic ‘Hollow Ground’ you can be sure their charisma will prevent any ‘metal warrior’ posturing any time soon.

With previous gunslingers Pantera and Slayer arguably heading towards early retirement The Haunted appear to be at their zenith and, if tonight’s ferocious performance is anything to go by, are only too ready to take over.