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That Lenmania is sold out is some testament to the popularity of the former Reuben frontman, but it takes top-notch support sets throughout the day, particularly from BAD SIGN’s [8] stellar altriffing, PALM READER’s [8] hypertechnical, droning noise and, especially, EMPLOYED TO SERVE’s [9] awe-inspiring, spite-fuelled hardcore, to really ramp up expectation for JAMIE LENMAN [9] to bring his mini-festival to a close. Which he does in brilliantly acerbic style, clad totally in white and alone save for drummer Dan Kavanagh. He’s just released one of the most unique albums of the year in Devolver, and we’re treated to a quick run through his oddly wired, excellently creative mind. Personal sounds like post-hardcore veterans Barkmarket covering NIN with added gang vocals, while I SOFTWAREmark” gingersoftwareuiphraseguid=“48facfe0-8420-4d57-be46-f50c12e6d4d5” id=“09f42982-66ee-44e6-9421-d18bbea11a92”>Ain’t Your Boy is a sweetly revealing, balladic lament of a pop song. There aren’t many artists who could cover Material Girl by Madonna and make it work alongside the mathy grind of Waterloo Teeth, but there aren’t many folk like Jamie Lenman. The man should be a national treasure.

Since blagging his way onto the Hammer team a decade ago, Stephen has written countless features and reviews for the magazine, usually specialising in punk, hardcore and 90s metal, and still holds out the faint hope of one day getting his beloved U2 into the pages of the mag. He also regularly spouts his opinions on the Metal Hammer Podcast.