A MANIC 3 NIGHTS

Manic Street Preachers play Camden Roundhouse

As each year passes by Richey Edward's loved ones must find it increasingly difficult to ignore the obvious signs of suicide which faced them on Valentines Day back in 1995. The day which marked the fortnight since Edwards had gone missing, his abandoned Vauxhall Cavalier parked just yards away from The Severn Bridge and the jigsaw pieces he spasmodically dropped leading up to the fateful date which gradually created a broken picture of his depression. The self harm. The alcohol abuse. Drug Problems. When pieced together, a suicide attempt makes a haunting reasonable explanation. His body has never been found.

In his last year which led up to his disappearance the guitarist wrote a number of tracks for a forthcoming Manic album with bassist, Nicky Wire. Some made the final track listings on the 1996 'Everything Must Go' album, but the remains were bound in a folder and there they stayed. Untouched and hidden from public ears.

A decade later lead singer, James Dean Bradford encouraged Wire and drummer, Sean Moore to open the file. A group decision was made that it was time to shed light on Edwards missing yet not forgotten final piece of work. And last week the welsh band released their 9th album, Journal For Plague Lovers completely written by Richey Edwards.

Tonight sees the Manics play the first of 3 connserritive evenings at the Camden Roundhouse. Split into Two halves the first 45 minutes allows their fans to hear Journal... played in its entirety. Hitting the play button with 'Peeled Apples' a minor techicnal hitch interludes the second track, Jackie Collins Existential Question Time. By 'Me and Stephen Hawkins' it doesn't take a genius to realise there's classic Manic Street Preachers foundations cemeted through thier new record.

'This first half is obvious about Richie', Bradford reminds us before reaching track 7, ' Facing Page: Top Left' a solo number which sees a moving Welsh frontmen fighting the topics of neophobia and skin cancer in less than 3 heartwarming minutes. The contrasting border-line upbeating 'Marlon J.D' follows equpiping the stage with epliletic flashing lights.

Posed behind a trademarked feather boa wrapped around his microphone Nicky Wire dedicates 'Doors Closing Slowly' to Jenny Saville who designed the artwork for Journal For Plague's cover. It wasn't the first time her painting had graced a Manic CD. Back in 1994 her artistic skills could be foun on 'The Holy Bible'. Her second offering shows a young boy with a bloodied face. During tonight's first half the image is clearly displayed in the background which could only be missed by a careless social worker.

To final 13th track, 'William's Last Words' is played out with a string quartet and the delightful vocals of Nicky Wire who makes a comparison between himself and Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood. If this was a review of their new album a rewarding 3 out of 5 would be our marking on our first listen.

With the album playback now complete it was time for the Greatest Hts section starting with 'Motorcycle Emptiness'. Wire had usaed the 15 minute interlude to change into a white dazziling jacket and rock star sunglasses. Second Guitarist, Wayne Murray and percussionist Sean Moore joined the Welsh trio through the final hour. The ageing fans gladly put up with 'If You Tolerate Ths Then Your Children Will Be Next' and the opening notes from 'Austraila' managed to reach the souls hidden in the outbacks of Camden Roundhouse top balcony.

The near perfect redition of 'You Stole The Sun' and the much loved chords of 'Everthing Must Go' gradually bought Tonights perforance to an end.

Maybe, just maybe Richie Edwards took a different direction after abanding his car back those 14 years ago. There's a remote chance the Bristol Suspension bridge claims one less casualty which we are to be belived. Whatever happened it is plain to see from tonights performance Richie is still and always will be the fourth Manic Street Preacher.