Its now a week before the put back release of second single, Sanctimonious, and the atmosphere on the official Halo message board is at an all time high. Expecting hordes of teenage fans salivating at the mere sight of Halo, and a mob of older, but more intoxicated fans in the Worlds End pub located next door, I turned up early afternoon to get a head start drinking. After all, this was the quoted meet and greet 'pub tour' in which Halo would be meeting with fans in pubs up and the the UK. Rather you than me lads :)

Ending up being queuer number 3, and acquainted myself with the friendly waiting fans (tickets number 1 and 2 I found out, so there WERE fans as Halo mad as I was) I began to chain smoke my way until doors opened with fans musical taste ranging from the hard-core punk, nu-metal and emo indie. Acquainting ourselves with talk of banal UK soap action, and customize Halo tops. Even with half and hour till doors opened, the queue was fairly short and pathetic - I began to worry slightly. Were they all in the bar? Or were Halo indeed ahead of their time?

The Underworld was only half full, if that, and whilst the first support act Coda, were not that bad really. I thought that the guitarist was especially friendly with waiting (obviously Halo) fans, first saying that he was a roadie, to "not really being a rock star" to turning up on the stage, playing a fine set with the band(!). Found that quite amusing. He had "rock star hair" anyway. Coda seemed to have a good mix of tracks fit to fill in at any rock club night, whilst waiting to that floor filler to songs to break a relationship too. The last track of their set fit this category perfectly - an absolute heart breaker. Nearly cried into my iced water so I did.

After that were Serafin, with a coachload of fans beamed themselves down from somewhere. Definately enthusiastic, definately mosh worthy, punk-earbashing tastic. Serafin were amazing, and on first listen played their hearts and lungs (and plectrums) out to an amazing reaction. The lead singer held an amazing authority, oozing rock from every pore, almost snarling out every lyric, and forcing you into submission. Blow after Blow came Serafin, without allowing you to come up for air. The crowd were up for every track, including those from Serafins first EP, but they won over a lot of fans tonight. And well played. But the fun wasn't over yet. A roadie let the band know that they were over time, and clearly p***ed off, the drummer continued to smash up the drum kit, as did the rest of the band. Like it.

There was a slight break before Halo. My first notice was the spiffy purple guitar that remained unused during the set, their modified speakers from "Marshall" to "halo". And the sign at the back of the stage around that vaguely resembled "no feeding the animals". My kleptomaniac tendancies towards the sign were calmed, and halo took the stage. How many bangles and sparkly things can one band possibly wear? They must be breaking some kinda record I thought. Cold light of day smashed through, halo pulled out a clear diamond with track "Only for you". A clear future single, or album track, it turned my heart to mush, and Graeme and Iain sung their hearts out. I thought I was all hot and bothered until they played "Vampire". Phew! :)

And then came the killer mosh track my metal head self had kinda been waiting for from Halo, "Incinerator". I am so not worthy! The fast paced guitars, drums being smashed to pieces and unbounded energy. A fantastic way to end the set. During the end of this track, I took Graemes can of budweiser on the stage, and managed to get Steve's attention to give me the setlist. And as I was leaving, I noticed Som (of My vitriol) watching the set from a distance. Does the guy follow me around? I see him at every gig. Well the guy has good taste anyhoo. Smashing gig, bring on the summer!!

Annie ([email protected])