After it came up and caused some conversation in a flashback post on Instagram recently, and I noticed the original version of this review had dropped off the BBC website where it was originally posted, I thought I’d revisit this show from April 2007 when Guernsey heavy metal heroes Nemesis made a grand return to the stage after over a decade away…

It has been noted many times in recent months and years that Guernsey is somewhat short on dedicated ‘real music’ venues. Well the newly renovated Fermain Tavern looks like it’s trying to change things as they relaunched with a vengeance with the return of metal legends Nemesis.

Hot of the success of their new album, The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Metal, Nemesis took to the stage at Fermain Tavern with their original line up, for the first time in 15 years and they didn’t miss a step.

Launching straight into things with the new album’s title track the Tavern was jumping from the off and things didn’t let up once throughout the band’s near two hours on stage — in fact if anything things got more hectic on the dance floor as the set went on.

Mixing original material with a selection of classic covers from the likes of Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne and Dio, Nemesis were on fire tonight and the fact the band haven’t performed live together in such a long time was at no point noticeable.

All four members of the band were undeniably stars in their own right with drummer Darran James providing the pounding foundation over which Brin Harrison’s bass rumbled and galloped. On top of this came the sizzling solos of Zack Moustrape’s guitar and on top of it all was Danny Joyce.

Guernsey has over the years seen its fair share of talented and charismatic front men, names such as Mark Le Gallez, Stace Blondel and Jack Fletcher spring to mind. Well, after tonight its safe to say Danny’s name can be added to that list as he proved he is not only a wiz in the studio, both behind and in front of the mic, but is also a truly great front man on stage.

While his voice may not be the strongest ever heard it serves its purpose, and in a genre with top vocalists like Bruce Dickinson and Rob Halford he has some of the toughest competition going.

However where Danny’s strength really lies is in his showmanship, I have never seen someone handle a guitar quite like that when not playing it, and in his ability to work the audience, be it making them dance, sing or get involved in classic metal call and response chanting.

The combination of these four men’s talents really served to get the packed room moving and singing tonight, and with a crowd ranging from the young to the, well, young at heart, that was no mean feat.

As the crowd goes the MyLastVictory crew really deserve a mention, bedecked in all their 80’s metal regalia they were stood front and centre for the whole set singing every word back to Danny and really showing how the younger crop of metal bands respect the scene’s veterans.

Nemesis’ performance was also augmented with the inclusion of one of the best light shows I’ve ever seen on a local stage which included spotlights panning across the stage, and a well used strobe light. It’s just a shame there wasn’t room any pyrotechnics!

When all was said and done no one in the Tavern, which was the busiest I personally have ever seen it, wanted the night to end, but sadly after four encores including an extra run through of The Hills Are Alive… and two crunching renditions of Metallica classic Enter Sandman it had too.

However I think the roar let up by the crowd when Brin asked ‘Do you want us to play again?’ showed that this isn’t the last we are going to see of Guernsey’s ‘true metal titans’, Nemesis.