So My editor asked me if I'd like to review MONUMENT who were on tour in the UK and due to end in London at the infamous Barfly. Mmmmm, well I don't go out so much these days and a live show? Considering what I do most of the time it would be like a busman's holiday really but you know, what the fuck I say, why not. So he puts me in touch with bass player Dan Mailer, of the guest band for the tour KAINE, and I am all set to get my rocking on… Now I didn't know too much about MONUMENT except they were London boys (not all actually for there is a bit of Welsh in there too). I also did not know KAINE really so, what to expect? I was quite interested to see.
 

I got there as KAINE were setting their stage, grabbed some beer and settled down for a show. I did have a chance to get up to speed with both bands and their output prior to tonight, so by the time KAINE opened their set with "Iron Lady" (The new single from the "Waystone", which isn't actually released until August 2014). I was already familiar somewhat with them. KAINE is a young band... but they play traditional NWOBHM with older heads for sure. Driving through "Lies of the Forsaken" and "Helpless Salvation" from the 2010 EP, it is clear KAINE's roots are firmly in the NWOBHM camp. They are like IRON MAIDEN circa 1980, Punky and Metal at the same time. This tonight of course is helped because the drummer for the evening is a dep (Their full time drummer, having exams so unable to attend the show). The man filling in with only 2 rehearsals is James Balcombe who plays in both OSMIUM GUILLOTINE and the Punk band THE  TICKTURDS. As for KAINE? Dan Mailer is a great talent on bass… and reminded me of a young Steve Harris… but flashing over and under on the fretboard he touched on the Billy Sheehan from time to time too… "Lost Sages Tower" from the "Falling Through Freedom" 2012 release comes next and shows some grit and flair. Then comes Rage Sadler, KAINE's guitar swinging frontman, to tell us, this is the last song and the last date of the tour and they've had a very long day so intend to go wild. Then they are off with "Quality of Madness", also from the "Falling to Freedom" 2012 release. They let go with all they have left and the crowd responds too… Too short a set but better than not at all say I. To sum it up? Real nice guys, real good musicians and a real great performance. They seemed to like it, the crowd seemed to like it too and I agreed with both factions. Catch 'em when you can...you won't be let down. If you like it British and traditional then you will like KAINE and don't forget the "Waystone" out August 2014.
 

Setlist:
1. Iron Lady
2. Lies Of The Forsaken
3. Violent Metal
4. Helpless Salvation
5. Lost Sages Tower
6. Quality Of Madness

Now time for a quick smoke. By the time I got back in the place had filled more and there's around 100 or more who seem pretty eager to see the band. Another beer and MONUMENT begin to set their stage...but wait a minute, there's that Dan Mailer again! "What's going on?" I ask him, "oh, the bassist couldn't do the shows so I have been doubling up!!!" Get the fuck to buggery...I like this kid even more...and so he takes position and...here we go...
 

The overture intro begins and Pete Ellis (vocals) finally joins on stage, with his leather and stud clad jacket, I smell some Metal afoot. Intro crescendos and boom, we are off with their 2012 single "Fatal Attack", which gets the crowd responding immediately. "Carry On" is next from the their new (and debut) album "Renegades" and we are once again thrown into an early 80's NWOBHM, IRON MAIDEN meets JUDAS PRIEST mode… al'a that era. Their 2013 single "Runaway" is next and has such a boogie feel to it... I was right there in the Newcastle  Mayfair in the mouth of the Brit Metal beast, touches of it reminded me of WHITE SPIRIT, RAVEN, HELLENBACH and a whole host of bands at that time… even AVENGER could have been playing… Now I'm glad I mentioned WHITE SPIRIT because they had a guitarist who ended up in MAIDEN and I must say, MONUMENT's Dan Baune reminded me in more than one way of that same guy, a young Janick Gers. That's not taking anything away from Lewis Stephens on guitar also, who has a classic style and approach which counters Mr. Baune perfectly... Matt C on drums is also solid and pumps the whole thing along nicely and could have been in THUNDER with that style, easily.  "Crusaders" their 2014 single next and all the while Pete Ellis grabbing at the crowd to chat, sing along, punch the air with him... he is definitely driving this bus to Metal Ville and everyone in here seems happy to be on it with him… Mr. Ellis next informs us that the next song is something for the girls and also something for the boys who look like girls..lol… "Midnight Queen", of which I saw none by the way... what I did see was a lot of T-Shirt backs displaying the wording, British Metal... fucking right...old school but fresh as a fucking daisy is how I can describe MONUMENT… it's like the whole movement is just happening now...and another thing, so many young faces here too...now that is great. Pete leaves after telling us now and instrumental track and the guys play "Red Dragon" from the new album. This alone displays their tight, smooth, faultless performance and to add to it Dan Mailer, who plays up a storm with the band... this could match the rest of those the fly atop that British Metal family tree.
 

The next song up, once Pete re-joined us is "Omega" and it was my favourite track of the night…chock full of some glorious guitar and vocal work. Just a perfect balance of style and substance I did not expect but hoped for… what a joy. They then close with the title track of the 2012 E.P. "Rock the Night" and Mr. Ellis and his boys have certainly done that...The room is hot, sweaty and perfectly reeling for some great fun classic British Metal. I see nothing but smiling faces and what a great way to end their tour. Here's to the next shows and if you get a chance see them. These guys do it properly and you are going to love it,  every single bit.!

Setlist:
1. Fatal Attack
2. Carry On
3. Runaway
4. Crusaders
5. Midnight Queen
6. Red Dragon
7. Omega
8. Rock The Night

Now I am not even sure if I am supposed to give this a rating but you know, for entertainment 10, for style 10 and for delivery 10.