As soon as these three legendary punk warriors come on stage and launch into AWOL, I know this is going to be a great night. It sounds every bit as frenetic, fast and fun as it did back in ’83.

The gig is a celebration of the release of a new retrospective CD box set Volume but more importantly it is simply the fact that these three huge talents are back together, on a stage and in the city they formed in, Leeds.

Hyatt is in fine voice after his recent cancer scare, Langford’s guitar work is scorching and squawking yet precise, Brennan’s bass playing is effortlessly cool and yet he still creates a thunderous rhythm in perfect harmony with “Hugo” the drum machine.

They are clearly enjoying themselves, weaving, snaking and shuffling around the stage as next up King Car leads into apocalyptic Sun of Mud with Langford’s siren-like guitar squealing alarm.

“Can’t you see the sun, he’s been smoking too much pop music” shimmies Hyatt with a mischievous grin.

The visionary talent of the band is on display as the brutal metallic intensity of 3Junk, the country punk of The Day Industry Decided to Stop, the anthemic harmonies of Brainbox and the industrial dance funk of Do Not Cross the Line all showcase them at their very best.

Next up is the cover of The Devil’s Music by cult Welsh musician Carlton B Morgan, from their debut 1984 LP Atom Drum Bop whose opening line always makes me reach for one last drink: “Woke up this morning, feeling real bad, got the worst hangover Dean Martin never had.”

Death of a European is so blisteringly good I am lost in the moment, transported back in time. This is followed by Secret Agent, Nightingales, Windolene and the crazy class war song World of the Workers Is Wild, which tees up a glorious Rooster Blue, a punky country voodoo stomp which could easily be a cover from any Beefheart album.

First encore is anti-apartheid English White Boy Engineer sounding as powerful and intense as when it first blew me away in Huddersfield in 1982. Lucy in the Rain is a gem with great harmonies gliding on top of Langford’s looping guitar riff.

Finally, Men like Monkeys features some priceless Egyptianesque dancing ape impersonations from Langford, Hyatt grooving about the stage as if he has just dropped a love bomb and Brennan writhing his guitar into every available space. A group hug ends what was a marvellous homecoming triumph from a truly great band.

Earlier Martin Bramah entertained with a 12-song set showcasing his long career with The Blue Orchids and recently Factory Star. Their 2011 LP Enter Castle Perilous provided for me the stand out songs: Angel Steps, Cheetham Bill, Away Dull Care, Black Comic Book and the Richard Hawleyesque When Sleep Won’t Come. Good and well received but a taster that promises so much more with a full live band.

This was my first visit to the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. A really great, friendly venue with good sound and near perfect sighting wherever you are. And great beer at northern prices.

Review by Bob Oram