It is always slightly disturbing to see leather trousers, it is even more disturbing to see them on young men in their very early 20s.

That is, unless the young men are in a new wave of heavy metal bands that are currently cropping up at pub gigs across the country. Harrow-based band, Messiah, are one such band.

Messiah was formed by guitarist Stuart Poole with drummer Alex Harford in 2002, the pair were joined soon after by singer Rob Paul and bass guitarist Gary Poole (brother of Stuart). The four-piece played in venues both locally and in London, such as Caernarvon Castle in Camden Town, while writing their own material, such as, albums Praying to Stay Alive and On Hallowed Ground.

The background of this band is a varied one. Both bassist Gary and guitarist Stuart were once in a Beatles tribute band, and drummer Alex has played in numerous different samba bands and has tried his hand at orchestral percussion. Not very metal of them it has to be said. This is more understandable when you notice that their influences are as diverse as long standing metal heroes Judas Priest to the seventies soft rock of The Eagles. In fact, the only band that every member quotes as an influence is the most well-known British metal band, Iron Maiden.

In June Messiah added Watford-based guitarist Jake Morris to their line up to "enhance the sound and make even better quality music"'.

The band recently won the battle of the bands competition at The Red Lion Pub in the London Road. The competition was an eclectic mix of varying styles and age groups. Second and third placed bands Feud and Scrapbook Escape played a mixture of Emo and Punk music and Messiahs singer Rob Paul praises the two bands by saying they were really good, really talented'.

The band members had been drinking at The Red Lion's jam nights when they became friendly enough with the management to organise a few gigs and it wasn't long before they were on their way to winning battle of the bands. When asked if on the day of the final if they were nervous, Rob replied No, not at all'. This suggests a high level of confidence that you would not expect to find from a frontman whose floppy, boyband style hair suggests that he is in fact a little less metal than he'd care to admit.

First prize in the competition was a weekend residential recording session at Nutbrown Studios in Holtspur, which frontman Rob says the band plan to take full advantage of in December this year to record their EP.

Messiah describe their sound as one "suited to big venues". It stands with the typical aspects of metal, full and loud. It is purely and simply, as described by Rob Paul, straight to the point, polished, British metal. Singer Rob is quick to defend his art when asked what he thinks about the view that eighties hair metal died as soon as people heard the classic Nirvana single, Smells like Teen Spirit. He responds: "Nirvana were a typical band that got in the way. Grunge took over the scene but metal never died because the fans are so loyal. Metal bands are technical geniuses, they are more talented than any punk or indie band."

That last statement is debatable, just look at Poison. It is also a bold statement for an unknown and unsigned band to make, especially considering that Nirvana are in the equation and the public's certainty of Kurt Cobains Godlike status.

Ultimately, this is a band that wants to get signed. They are committed to succeeding that some of the members quit college, their back up plan' to pursue Messiah full time. Frontman Rob said that the band were under the mindset of Messiah is life.

Rob Paul's personal aim is to bring eighties metal back to the public, but the question is, do the public want it back?

- Messiahs is at the Red Lion Pub on September 30. www.messiah.piczo.com

Kate Evans