Lords of Black: Trillians, Newcastle

RONNIE Romero's first appearance in the UK was in front of 16,000 rabid Rainbow-starved fans at Birmingham's giant Genting Arena in the summer. Newcastle's fabled Rock bar Trillians, may be slightly more intimate, but the excitement level was no less intense before Romero and Lords of Black played only their second show in this country.

Merciless and Nothing Left To Fear hit home hard with guitarist Tony Hernando's scything riffs driving the band along while Andy C's pounding drums and Javi Garcia's bass laid the foundations for the dark, atmospheric neo-classical inspired Hard Rock.

Romero was outstanding. A pre-show illness did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm or delivery. His voice throughout was impeccable, with a depth and power of such rarity, it is easy to see why Rainbow/Deep Purple guitar legend, Ritchie Blackmore was so impressed.

Ghost of You was the perfect vehicle for Romero to show off his full range. Dramatic, bombastic and exciting were just a few words that spring to mind. Romero is a star in the making.

Hernando is the perfect foil for Romero, not only writing and arranging the majority of the songs, but providing the musical setting in which Romero thrives.

Blackmore himself compared Romero's voice as a cross between Dio and Freddie Mercury and that assessment is not too far from the mark, so when they encored with Sabbath's Neon Knights and Kill The King by Rainbow, both Dio songs, the place went nuts. With Romero heading back off with Rainbow next summer one can only hope that Lords of Black can continue to thrive.

Mick Burgess