ATOMKRAFT gigs are rare as hen's teeth so any opportunity to see the UK Thrash veterans play should always be seized with both hands.

Performing as part of the second annual BroFest (a three day celebration of the NWOBHM featuring no less than 26 bands), ATOMKRAFT make their appearance doubly deadly by performing their 1985 debut album "Future Warriors" in its entirety for the very first time. As the familiar spoken word intro fades, frontman Tony Dolan, guitarist Krean Meier and drummer Paul Caffrey (also of GAMA BOMB) tear into "Future Warriors" at such a frantic pace that by the time the set's complete they've shaved several minutes off the original album running time.

"Starchild" may be more measured in tone but it's soon back to all-out speed for blistering renditions of "Dead Man's Hand" and "Total Metal". Nearly three decades on, the themes on "Future Warriors" seem more prescient than ever, and the environmental warning of "Death Valley" / "This Planet's Burning" and the obvious message of "Warzone" appear timely indeed. By this stage, the band are thoroughly warmed up and evidently enjoying both their performance and the energy of the enthusiastic audience.

"Burn in Hell" is up next followed swiftly by the pounding "Heat and Pain" which sees the trio joined on stage by Jeff "Mantas" Dunn, former VENOM axeman and currently Tony's band mate in M-PIRE OF EVIL. The eagle-eyed among you will note that "Heat and Pain" is actually the final track on "Future Warriors", but the band wisely switch "Pour the Metal In" from its place mid-album to show closer, the hectic pace making for a more fitting finale. With Mantas remaining on stage for the final number, it's a truly crushing climax. Sadly, the MAD MAX-style costumes the band used to sport back in the 1980s didn't make an appearance, but I think we can forgive them that on this occasion.

Setllist:

1. Future Warriors
2. Starchild
3. Dead Mans Hand
4. Total Metal
5. Death Valley / This Planets Burning
6. Warzone
7. Burn In Hell
8. Heat and Pain
9. Pour The Metal In

* Greg Moffitt is a writer for Metal Hammer UK, piece originally written for Metal Hammer UK
* Photograhy by Anthony Lancaster