HEAVY metal band Vanadium hails from Honiton, but has never performed in the town. All that is set to change as preparations get under way for possibly Honiton s biggest ever heavy metal music event.

HEAVY metal band Vanadium hails from Honiton, but has never performed in the town.

All that is set to change as preparations get under way for possibly Honiton's biggest ever heavy metal music event.

Vanadium, made up of two painter and decorators, a chef and a mechanic, has played in venues across the UK - from Torquay and Plymouth to Birmingham and London.

Now the band's growing local fan-base has a chance to see musicians Adam Martin, 24, Andrew Pike (Fish), 23, Dean Trott, 24, and Stu Pike, 21, perform on home turf.

Vanadium is the headline act at a heavy metal extravaganza, being held at Turks Head Function Suites (Honiton Motel) on Friday, December 11.

Three supporting bands, The Prospects, Out of Enemies and Man Bites Dawg, are also from Honiton and will complete the line-up.

Influenced by Megadeth, Machine Head and Metallica, Vanadium's heavy brand of rock centres on original work - available on an album, Afterwrath, and new EP Malice in Wonderland.

Band members' favourite tracks include Backstab and My Kingdom.

Adam is Vanadium's vocalist and guitarist, Fish plays guitar, Dean is on bass and the drummer is Stu. Together, their aim is to bring a "fresh and relevant sound" to the metal scene. They are all looking forward to playing in Honiton, they told the Herald.

"We have been playing in Torquay, Plymouth, Bristol, Birmingham and London, but this gig in Honiton is something we are all looking forward to," said Adam. "I'm really excited. I like the venue (Honiton Motel) and I've seen other bands play there.

"The gig will be a chance for our fans to come and see us in our home town."

Although band members all have day jobs, their dream is to be able to go professional and to make a living from making music.

"You don't really get metal music in Honiton and I think the fans will make it," said Adam.

What does Vanadium mean?

"It's actually a compound used to make metals stronger," said Fish.

Vanadium was formed six years ago, but has existed in its present line-up for just three months.

The band's album and EP are available from Martian Records in Exeter - or from Honiton Motel during the gig.

The motel's new leaseholder, Nick Thornton, is looking forward to hosting the event.

He was full of praise for Vanadium when the band checked out the venue last Wednesday.

Tickets for the gig are available from the motel or on the door.

Watch this space for up-dates.