Two comeback shows to test out the developing new set came down hard to the select few who got to see how the band have developed since their last outing to the Gas Works in May 2000. That show was a huge disappointment, but it showed a slight portent of the tightness and competency that the four displayed in these two recent Gas Works shows.

The set began with the new revamped version of Sympathy, and the crowd actually looked physically taken aback at the power of the song. Probably the most finished sounding song of the night, Sympathy opened for what was to be a mediocre set that is still in need of fine tuning, and in some cases, full rehaul.

Underneath the Apple Tree came out sounding rough and powerful, as it should. Smashing Pumkins cover Zero was improved the second time round, but this was probably the last time the band will cover it. The middle of the set was the no mans land of the gig. The haunting "Cober Wood Murders" a new song being tried out was more akin to Casper the Friendly ghost than the Blair Witch, while Emma Jemmines sadness didn't really hold the attention of the band let alone the attendance.

"This is where it gets good," an announcement by Delanee signalled Paul's exit from the stage, and the threepiece of Enda Dave and Leech performing a rousing "Exit Music(For a Film)" to complete the two covers of the night.

With the crowd almost in tears, the band were slient as Paul leapt back onstage. There was an apprehension in the front few rows, whispers of "only song I came to hear" and "where's b4..."

Then the atmospheric build up of layered guitar began, the rhythmic grooves of B4 Anasthesia let loose on an exuberant slua who were veryt much up for the challenge of showing the band their appreciation. As the song built and built the crowds eagerness grew and grew climaxing in the huge guitar & drums driven midrift of the piece. Taking off his guitar, Paul, fingers as horns, feet as hooves prepared to charge. The crowd didn't know what hit them, when Enda and Paul turned into a giant ball of dust and the front section of the Gas Works was a melee of heads feet and bodies everywhere.

As a whole, the 28th gig was musically tight, while attendance not as strong as the 12th Jan, where the music suffered at the hands of sickness in the three front members, and what we can only presume to have been nervousness in the drummer.

What the future holds, time can only tell

past reports