Live music made an explosive return to Chelmsford when a new venue opened on Saturday night (April 27) to a packed crowd moshing-out to punk and metal tunes.
Asylum, on Viaduct Road near the bus station, rocked to the sounds of four live bands and over 160 eager revellers screaming for more.
Owner Eddie Wood, 51, of Gallywood, said: "We want to create a home for alternative and metal nights, but where bands and DJs of all genres will eventually want to come and play.
"We want to have something for everybody, but primarily we will be dedicated to alternative music."
Chelmsford has lacked a venue capable of attracting big-name bands since the Army and Navy pub closed to live gigs in 2002, and reopened as a sports bar.
Hooga in Victoria Road filled the void for a while but shut in January this year - now Asylum aim to bring the buzz of live music back to the city.
The club will be spread over two floors and bills itself as "the home for the musically insane", boasting punk and rock bands from as far afield as Nottingham and Liverpool.
Eddie is the lead singer in his own band and actually opened the night with his band, Stormchild, in which his wife Denise also plays drums.
Denise Wood, 50, told the Chronicle: "The night went really well, there was loads of people in and we even had to turn people away because we were at full capacity.
"We've already had people asking to play as far ahead as July, eventually once we're established as a well-known venue in the city we might hold different nights dedicated to different genres."
Well-known club promoter and Saint FM DJ, Shakey, will also be involved in organising events along with Paul Condon who also plays in Stormchild.
"Our band needed somewhere to play, so we thought we'd open our own place. It's been a dream of ours for a while," added Eddie.
For more information and details of upcoming events visit www.asylumchelmsford.co.uk.
Asylum, on Viaduct Road near the bus station, rocked to the sounds of four live bands and over 160 eager revellers screaming for more.
Owner Eddie Wood, 51, of Gallywood, said: "We want to create a home for alternative and metal nights, but where bands and DJs of all genres will eventually want to come and play.
"We want to have something for everybody, but primarily we will be dedicated to alternative music."
Chelmsford has lacked a venue capable of attracting big-name bands since the Army and Navy pub closed to live gigs in 2002, and reopened as a sports bar.
Hooga in Victoria Road filled the void for a while but shut in January this year - now Asylum aim to bring the buzz of live music back to the city.
The club will be spread over two floors and bills itself as "the home for the musically insane", boasting punk and rock bands from as far afield as Nottingham and Liverpool.
Eddie is the lead singer in his own band and actually opened the night with his band, Stormchild, in which his wife Denise also plays drums.
Denise Wood, 50, told the Chronicle: "The night went really well, there was loads of people in and we even had to turn people away because we were at full capacity.
"We've already had people asking to play as far ahead as July, eventually once we're established as a well-known venue in the city we might hold different nights dedicated to different genres."
Well-known club promoter and Saint FM DJ, Shakey, will also be involved in organising events along with Paul Condon who also plays in Stormchild.
"Our band needed somewhere to play, so we thought we'd open our own place. It's been a dream of ours for a while," added Eddie.
For more information and details of upcoming events visit www.asylumchelmsford.co.uk.
