September 19, 2001

Lostprophets : Milton Keynes Woughton Centre

Mistaken for the British Linkin Park, Lostprophets</strong are bound for bigger stages...

How has the awesome potential of Pontypridd's Lostprophets evaded the spotlight for so long?

It was only their astonishing performances at the Reading/Leeds festival that finally saw them emerge from British rock's burgeoning underground. And tonight they continue their relentless year-long tour playing a venue that they clearly outgrew six months ago.

Outside, 'Lostprophets' teenage fans are getting smashed on ill-advised combinations of alcohol, and fumbling with each other's zippers. Inside, nosebleed trails lead to the toilet sinks clogged with puke. Lostprophets provide the soundtrack to this young, pretty, suburban insurrection.

Front man Ian Watkins sings like a man possessed. Backed by the vocals of the unfortunately named turntablist Jamie Oliver, the guitars and energy of Mike Lewis, Lee Gaze, Stuart Richardson and Mike Chiplin (Drums) - they combine to make an astonishing noise.

From the dark and heavy 'Handsome Life' through to near-emo 'And She Told Me' and more often than not, Top 10-nudging on 'Fake Sound of Progress', Lostprophets - songs span the entire metal spectrum. But unlike many of their UK peers, the gristly basslines, hip-hop effects and dark hearted content is nearly always tempered with pop-nous. At times they could be mistaken for the Deftones or a British Linkin Park.

The physicality of their stage presence and strike rate of their songs, makes for an extremely potent combination. In truth, far too potent for rock'n'roll backwater venues in Milton Keynes. Because Lostprophets are a band truly in the ascendancy. Wizened and a better band for their touring and on tonight's raucous evidence bound for bigger stages.

Imran Ahmed