The hunt goes on as Power Quest make a comeback

And the revitalised line-up includes a moonlighting Ashley Edison, who also fronts the Portsmouth-based metallers Dendera.

The power metal band had been on hiatus since 2013, but founder Steve Williams announced his band’s return last September.

Ashley reveals he had been a follower of the band for more than a decade.

‘Me and my brother used to be hardcore fans,’ says the singer. ‘A few years ago, through Dendera I reached out to Steve and told him that I’m a big fan and it would be cool if one day we could play some shows with them.

‘We were lucky enough in 2013 to be asked to support them at Camden Underworld at what was going to be their final show, and Steve asked if I wanted to join them on stage for a song, which was incredible.

‘A few years later Steve pops up again and says: “Would you want to sing for us?”’ How could I refuse?’

So what was the first rehearsal like with the band?

‘It was quite something. When we got together in January as Power Quest, it all felt very natural and the guys are easy to get on with. I guess it’s a mutual love for everything we do that makes it so easy.’

Ashley’s not the only new member in the revived band – but the other new man, guitarist Dan Owen, is a familiar face, of sorts.

‘Dan’s actually the twin brother of Gavin, the other guitar player. It’s twin guitar players, playing twin guitars, but they’re both so good, it’s crazy – they play like each other, they look like each other.’

During Power Quest’s break Williams was playing with hard rock act Eden’s Curse, but as Ashley says: ‘He was having a great time and really enjoying it, but I think Power Quest never really went away for Steve.
‘He told me that one day he just sat there and he went “what am I doing? Why aren’t I doing this any more?” And he changed his mind.

‘He wanted to do it again, and he was having people nagging him every five minutes about it, so it seemed like the right time to do it.

‘I think he realised he can’t just pack it in.’

Ashley has so far only played a couple of full gigs with the band, including a Camden Underworld show he describes as ‘one of the best experiences of my life, it was just all the way to the back of the room.’

But the Wedge gig is a warm-up for their set at the Welsh metal festival Hammerfest in Wales this weekend.

‘I thought I’d like to do it in my hometown, to show people what I’m doing. It’ll be something quite special to have all my friends and family there watching me do this.’

And Ashley adds that fans of Dendera need not worry about their future – two new EPs have been recorded for release in June and early 2018.

‘We’ve just finished recording some new songs. Instead of doing a new album we’re doing a two-part EP, the first part will come out later this year, and then the second part will be early next year.’

Power Quest fans can also look forward to a new album, the band’s sixth.

‘We’ve just been signed to Innerwound recordings, there are some fantastic bands on there. We’re going to record the album in April and release it in October to coincide nicely with the UK tour we’ve announced and after a few festivals we’re doing this summer.

‘It’s really busy, which is quite exciting.’

The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea

Thursday, March 23

wedgewood-rooms.co.uk