Six years after the Cart & Horses, the pub forever welded to Iron Maiden’s DNA, shut its doors for a refit, the revamped basement venue is now the perfect shrine to Heavy Rock. On this Thursday night it felt like the ghosts of East End Metal past were alive and grinning.

Brighton’s Stone Angels (or “Stoned Angels” as the neon ticker cheekily had it) kicked things off with a punchy set that didn’t hang about. Opener 'Gamble' came screaming out of the traps, a fizzing mix that owed as much to Supergrass’ chaotic 'Lenny' as it did to the darker corners of NWOBHM. Frontman Neil Kersey wore his Maiden fandom on his sleeve, and you got the sense he couldn’t quite believe he was roaring into the mic on the same venue his heroes once haunted. 'Where The Crows Fly' added some brooding atmosphere, evoking a Van Gogh canvas brought to life in storm clouds of guitar. By closer 'Over The Edge', James Innes’ fretwork was spitting sparks, the band driving things to a full-throttle climax.

Headliner's Sweet Electric don’t bother hiding their influences. This is AC/DC worship turned up, souped up and covered in glitter. Frontman Brad Marr, an Aussie expat with the stage swagger of Brian Johnson spliced with Angus Young, stalked the stage in a blinding metallic cap and jacket that caught every beam of light. It was a spectacle as much as a gig, and the band are drilled tight with every stop and start hitting like a punch to the chest.

The set had everything from swaggering Hard Rock bangers to a wild cover of LMFAO’s 'Party Rock Anthem' that let Marr loose on both the Running Man and a textbook Chuck Berry Duck Walk. Then came penultimate track 'Get Up', which needed its trademark cowbell. Only problem: the drummer hadn’t packed one. Salvation came from the crowd when a fan casually pulled a cowbell out of her handbag (along with a stick) and was invited on stage to hammer it live. It was a chaotic, joyous moment that summed up the band’s bond with their following.

Drummer Bobo’s solo was pure power, while Mike Schneider flexed the chops of a classical guitarist turned riff-slinger. Alongside Michi Krol on lead guitar and Jonas Bareiter on bass, the Cologne-based crew are a lean, relentless machine.

Finale 'Hard Times' carried a grit that felt all too apt for the world outside, but Sweet Electric turn struggle into celebration. If Hard Rock is supposed to be fun, loud and a little ridiculous, then these guys are one of the hardest-working bands on the circuit, and one of the most entertaining too.

Review: Ivan De Mello
Photos: AJ + Ivan De Mello