The Cooper Temple Clause

"We do still exist", TCTC singer Ben Gautrey assures the audience, but he needn't bother because his band's display has already proven beyond all reasonable doubt that, despite an eight month break, Reading's favourite sons are still alive and kicking.

Opening with a slow-burning new song the Coopers look relaxed. Toying with the idea of playing 'Who Needs Enemies?', they decide instead to launch into another newie, the turbo-charged 'Damage'.

Half of tonight's set consists of songs under consideration for a third album. Sounding surprisingly fully-formed already, all of the new material is well received, notably the acoustic led 'Take Comfort'. The old stuff, too, is as fresh as it was three years ago. A reworked version of 'Panzer Attack' is particularly devastating; a techno style intro descending into a riotous collision of feedback-ridden guitar and dark electronica.

There are two main kinds of Cooper Temple Clause song: sonic assaults that should carry a government health warning and mellower, more experimental numbers that almost have you reaching for your chin with an outstretched finger. The last of the new batch, which sees guitarists Tom Bellamy and Dan Fisher using violin bows on their instruments, is firmly in the latter camp.

As a band, The Cooper Temple Clause have developed immeasurably since 2002 debut 'See This Through And Leave', and despite a slight mid-set lull this is an accomplished display. The Coopers are back, and they've got a point or two to make. They end, aptly, with 'Did You Miss Me?' The answer, a resounding 'yes'.