The Soulsavers

The Relentless Garage – formerly the much more conservatively and unsensationally named The Garage – has recently re-opened after an upgrade, presumably to relentless proportions. Well, on first viewing I can tell you that there's no major changes from the original version but there's a Mini-Bar on the left as you walk in and the decor is that bit more sparkly and trendy compared to the more downbeat feel of the previous incarnation. The new wooden floor is a noticeable part of the re-vamp and one which Dracula would approve of. After a short while it's got a lived in sticky feel after beer marination and as a result is far more homely. The capacity is a cosy 630 which helps with its intimacy and no matter where you are the view is good. But the name is a bit of a funny one for me. What next? The Relaxed Forum? The Florescent Luminaire? Trembley Wembley Arena?

Still that's soon consigned to the history bin as The Soulsavers are here for our pleasure. The group were put together by the English production/re-mix team of Rich Machin and Ian Glover and have just released their new album 'Broken'. There's plenty of guest vocalists on the record including Mike Patton, Jason Pierce, Richard Hawley and Gibby Haynes (The Butthole Surfers). None of then are here tonight though but the predominant presence on 'Broken' is one Mark Lanegan who fronts the band tonight. Mark, of course, is no stranger to collaborations having been indoctrinated into the Queens of the Stone Age as well as duets with Isobel Campbell and Greg Dulli (as the Gutter Twins) amongst many others and he's well suited to front man duties here.

At 9.40pm the 6 performers take the stage and within seconds there's a growl of such deep proportions from Lanegan that you are left wondering if they actually need any bass so low is the pitch. But we do and the vocals lighten and as the band kick into 'Death Bells' – one of the new album's highlights – there's no doubt that the band are emphatically here to present an explosive sound akin to a Soulsavers Semtex compound. And it's quite a ride; one that takes in 'Planet Melancholy' along with some broody rock posturing for contrast.

The band are bathed in flat red light which makes them tricky to see clearly from my vantage point and strangely makes it look like an advert for Virgin. Thankfully, Richard Branson isn't here on backing vocals. In some ways it doesn't help that they're one of those almost mute bands with only a cursory "thanks" thrown in as their only means of communicating with the audience but when the music talks you can just about forgive them.

The next real standout is 'Some Misunderstanding' which features exquisite guitar with similarities to 'Little Wing' by Hendrix and this comparison does not do the band any disservice. A cover of the Palace Brothers' 'You Will Miss Me When I Burn' pushes the smouldering eerie rock button and the lead guitar continues to punctuate the next few songs and is utterly bewitching in the way it lights a torch in the darkness. The gloom is by no means a bad thing as long as we all accept that this is the deal, even if it probably was with the devil. 'Unbalanced Pieces' gets approving nods from the crowd and 'Jesus Just Left Chicago' is the grunge blues sort of tune you expect the band to be jamming with at their formation.

Come 10.33pm the full set comes to an end and after a brief wait to allow everyone to take their anti-depressants they return and Red Ghost sings lead vocals on 'By My Side' which engenders generous support from the crowd. Lanegan returns to perform their most famous song (especially judging from the crowds reaction) 'Revival' which has classic melancholic guitar chord changes and reminds me of 'Country Feedback' from REM's 'Out of Time' from way back. Both are good songs and 'Revival' leaves us all with a haunting refrain without any pain.

The Soulsavers present an unspectacular but disciplined show. What could be an endurance test is lightened by some gorgeously introspection and sparkling guitar dexterity. I have to confess that I'm not sure who takes on lead guitar duties here and even after an exhaustive internet search I still couldn't identify the fantastic culprit here. Needless to say, it's worth searching out for.

The gig itself doesn't totally engross the audience and the atmosphere is rather reverential. But respect is duly paid and plaudits should go to the savers of souls for sticking to a game plan that won't get everyone clapping and whooping but are happy with a thoughtful stroke of the chin and a foot tap. Maybe they won't actually save your soul but they may be worth having on your door on bouncer duties if the devil knocks unexpectedly.

FUTURE GIGS

sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.