This Friday at Hitchin Club 85 is shaping up to be one of the heaviest and most brutal evenings of live music the area has seen. It features four of the fiercest metalcore bands on the scene, headlined by one of the key bands that helped shape the genre,

This Friday at Hitchin Club 85 is shaping up to be one of the heaviest and most brutal evenings of live music the area has seen.

It features four of the fiercest metalcore bands on the scene, headlined by one of the key bands that helped shape the genre, Devil Sold His Soul.

In their previous incarnation, when they were known as Mahumodo, Devil Sold His Soul were one of the first bands playing heavy and emotional post hardcore.

They developed a fearsome reputation on the back of awesome live shows and great critical acclaim - including a KKKKK review in national rock magazine Kerrang!

Combining their ferocious aural assault with ambient and progressive passages, they take the cerebral structures of Tool, the fearsome power of Will Haven and the sweeping emotion of Deftones.

They are now signed to Visible Noise records, home to Funeral for a Friend and Bullet for my Valentine, amongst others.

North Herts ska, punk and hardcore main man Ant said: "They know how to pull off an amazing show, and will blind you with their ferocity, or maybe just the high power strobe lights they bring with them."

Support comes from the Kerrang!-approved local metalcore giants Atakku, who return to their birthplace having been gaining plaudits up and down the country, and their friends from Manchester, Red Stars Parade.

As if that was not enough, new local outfit Ioneise will be on hand to kick off proceedings.

Ant said: "This is going to be my favourite gig for a while. All the bands are amazing and write great music, yet they all have different influences.

"So if you're interested in heavy music, come and show your support."

You can check out the bands' music in advance of the show at www.myspace.com/devilsoldhissoul, www.myspace.com/atakku and www.myspace.com/redstarsparade, and you can find out more about promoters NHSPH at www.myspace.com/nhsph

Doors to the Whinbush Road venue open at 7.45pm, and entrance is £5.