It's Friday night and Bar Broadway is quite full. Not packed, but there's plenty of punters around. Sure, there's a few punters there for Melbourne's Five Star Prison Cell, and a healthy chunk present to catch Sydney Metallers Daysend, but for the majority of the punters in attendance it's a chance to catch Alchemist live in Sydney for the first time in a while. From older heads discussing the time they saw the band in their formative years in little cafes and pubs in Canberra to new fans eager for their first taste of the band's live show, the majority of folks are present for the same reason.

Unfortunately we were running a little late and I was only able to catch a few minutes of The Veil's set. Initially I was thankful, because I had the band confused with a Wollongong act of a similar name and thought I was in for a mundane display of wannabe The Butterfly Effect-style Hard Rock. This band's atmospheric Doom/Goth sound seemed to go over well with a handful of punters though.

Sure they channel The Dillinger Escape Plan and Mike Patton on plenty of occasions, but Five Star Prison Cell gives their technically proficient brand of Mathcore their own distinct Aussie flavour. A collection of screamed and yelped vocals, off-time, dissonant guitars and furious rhythmic assault comes together very nicely live, aided by a heavy, full sound and strong stage presence. While perhaps a little samey on record, live is where this band really do shine, and that they do over their 30 minute set.

Despite their set being unfortunately cut short due to the gig running late, Daysend pack in what they can into their half-hour set, bringing their trademark energy and tightness. The set is understandably heavily based around new album 'The Warning', and Mark McKernan has slotted neatly into the band's ranks now, looking more comfortable than ever before. Newer cuts like 'Shoot The Messenger' and 'Blacker Days' are mightily effective in the live arena, but the highlight for long-time fans of the band was former vocalist Simon Calabrese joining his old band mates for a rendition of 'Born Is The Enemy'.

Canberra's Alchemist walk on stage to a hero's welcome, and waste no time, kicking off matters with 'First Contact'. The band is tight as a drum and then some, bringing their eclectic, trippy and atmospheric brand of Progressive Metal alive on stage. Their songs are amazing enough on record, but take on a new dimension when performed live.

While their hour-plus set focuses a great deal on their excellent new album 'Tripsis', it's not long before the truly awe-inspiring 'Chinese Whispers' is aired, a song that still leaves a lasting impact no matter how many times you hear it live. The hypnotic drumming, the swirling, rapidly descending keyboards, the Middle Eastern-influenced guitars and of course, front man Adam Agius screaming his head off during the epic chorus; it's truly a sight to behold.

While older favourites like 'Yoni Kunda', 'Garden Of Eroticism' and epic closer 'Eve Of The War' all pack plenty of punch, the new songs also make their presence known, especially 'Wrapped In Guilt' and 'Substance For Shadow'. Unfortunately 'Road To Ubar' had to be cut due to curfew, but it was an exhilarating set that reminded all in attendance why Alchemist are not only one of our greatest Metal acts but are also highly regarded overseas to boot. I just wish they'd brought more than a dozen copies of the new album with them to the show!