Six o’clock and the band were still waiting for the venue to open and, given that they were supposed to be on stage at seven twenty, it wasn't a good sign. By the time someone eventually turned up with a key it was all hands on deck trying to get things sorted. Playing a hometown gig should be a moment of excitement however such an inauspicious start certainly didn't bode well.

The Bongo, a small dark venue decorated with strange red glowing phallic symbols surrounded by fun fur, was the place in question and somehow at  7.20 on the dot Firebrand Super Rock took to the stage and yes it was a woman fronting them. Any misconceptions about such things were quickly put to bed, Laura Donnelly can sing her fucking heart out and we’re not talking Nightwish or Within Temptation territory here, not even Arch Enemy. She has the voice that can blow yer balls off and leave you crying for your mum. Think of a female Bruce Dickinson and you wouldn't be far off. Having been together for about 4 years Firebrand Super Rock are a tight band with a powerful, near Pantera type sound, influenced by mainly classic era Metallica and Sabbath the songs move along at a tremendous pace and, in guitarist Jamie Gilchrist,  the soul of Dimebag living on. Forever pounding out mighty slabs of riffage and blistering solos this guy’s potential is yet to be released, even when one of his strings break, without missing a beat or showing signs of fluster he just picked up another guitar and cracked out a solo.

With all original material numbers like ‘Picking the bones’ & ‘Drop D destroyer’ pumped out with energetic enthusiasm not stopping for time to take a breath, the on stage chemistry was contagious and mades for a tight rhythm section. Bruce Urguhart has the concentration of a brain surgeon and slams out the beat like a man possessed. Frazer Marr on the other hand is one of the most impressive bass players I’ve seen for a while, picking out bass lines so fat they would have you banned from any weight watchers meeting instantly. Sadly the lackluster crowd don’t know what they are experiencing however that didn't phase the band one bit, it seemed like they playing a packed out Murrayfield. 

Despite the inauspicious start to the evening Firebrand Super Rock, well rocked, they have mega stardom written all over them and hopefully great things await.  Catch them if you can at all costs

Mark Davies