Neil Duncan heads to Avondale House to check out a line-up including Basingstoke band Artemis

I had been led to believe that this venue was no longer hosting gigs, but I am glad to see that is not the case.

First up were Networks from Portsmouth, who I have seen before. Fairly heavy, very tight and up tempo, this is a first class hard-core band.

Wonderfully worked beat-downs and the bass player sporting a 6-string model, its neck like a plank of wood. Great start.

A local band next, 5 Miles North of Nowhere, who were equally as good but presenting more of a metalcore groove. They songs were more fluid, with fewer beatdowns and yet still retained great musical power.

Really good promoters can put together great line-ups like this, bands that complement each other, whilst still being different. Another great performance.

Next up were the Basingstoke boys, Artemis - I mostly only get to see them playing home town shows, but its always good to see how a band fares it other places. The guys were decidedly heavier and definitely have their own brand of heavy, hard, hard-core.

I was surprised to see a new bass-player with them, I must have missed that update on the jungle drums. They gave a refreshingly aggressive performance taking us up to the headline band.

They were Palm Reader from Woking, who I have not seen in quite a while. I don't know if it's because they have been locked away working on an album, or that our paths just haven't crossed, but no matter we are all here now.

Within the first few seconds they had blasted away any fears that they might have lost their edge - they are one of the most visceral groups to see live and virtually impossible to photograph. But it all adds to the over all flavour overwhelming power. A real high note on which to end the night.

Thanks to all the bands for playing, to the promoter and sound-man for running it and to the management and staff of the venue for keeping us well-watered.

Neil Duncan, ISSUEPUNKZINE