THE initially low, debut-evoked expectations of Essex’s InMe in 2003 are among the more dizzyingly surpassed of recent years – a feat never more evident than by last Thursday’s swarm of attentive bodies at Chords. The Brentwood-spawned quartet topped a four-band bill of dual purpose, with locals The Longest Day sharing spotlight honours in affirming the show as their Monochrome EP launch.

Fans embraced an intimate pre-show acoustic encounter with front man Dave McPherson, before a double-kick dominated double dose of dominion followed in the form of Envy Of The State and recent Sonisphere additions Fei Comodo. A pair of solid performances whose presence was so genre fitting that, to the uninitiated, the headliners could have feasibly been playing a near three-hour set.

InMe’s subsequent vocal and guitar harmony-rich show hinted at remnants of Hoobastank and early Bullet For My Valentine. Encompassing old favour-ites as well as forthcoming tracks such as Captain Killjoy, the band also pip-ped Nickelback to the penning post of classic alt-rock track, All Terrain Vehicle.

An undeniably polished performance, however some could argue the great ease in perfecting song after song of rigidly static formula, bar the odd distinctive riff.

A multi-song encore rounded off the evening.