Mitch Knox, Journalist

"It started from Andrew [Walter – drums] – we built a room under his house, basically just built in his one-bay garage, and it’s semi-soundproofed, so it started from there."

For die-hards only.

"I think that’s something that we do quite well as a group. I’ve always been depressed by shit music that doesn’t draw attention to the darkness in life – that depresses me."

With a renewed sense of depth, dynamics and a return to the penchant for carefree cacophony found on earlier releases, Evil Friends is a godsend for Portugal fans new and old alike.

"We try to turn everything into a house party, almost to the point that you’ve gotta rock up with your backpack full of booze and all the sort of stuff you took to house parties when you were a teenager – that’s the vibe we want to give off."

"It definitely helps when your mates are in a good band and they think that your band is cool and they want to help out."

It’s all very enjoyable and inoffensive, and The Chemist are obviously very skilled at what they do, but, after the night’s initial bang was followed by such a self-satisfied whimper, it can’t help but feel like an uphill slog to the finish line.