This is where our work took us tonight as we prepared ourselves to party AWOL style to the sounds of the finest Jungle DJ’s.

AWOL is probably best known for it’s sound system, which booms from all parts of the venue. A word of warning for those who attempt to stand on the dancefloor – take up your earplugs! I was deafened by the rough bassy drum and bass tearing out of AWOL’s infamous Electrovoice Sound System – legendary for it’s powerful decibels!

AWOL’s top line-up consists of the best resident DJ’s – Mickey Finn, Kenny Ken, Darren Jay, Dr S Gachet and Randall along with MC’s GQ and Fearless. This always works for AWOL, with each resident delivering rumbling sets, ‘littered’ with dub-plates and perfect mixes which keep the crowd gagging for more. Tonight was an exception though, with the absence of Gachet and Kenny Ken, but with the pleasant surprise guest DJ Hype – who scratched the like a man with fleas – (excessively but welcome relief) as well as another guest DJ, Andy C who had the crowd leaping about in a frenzy. Mickey Finn hardly played any tune without having to rewind it. He dropped one remix, which requested for people to flash their lighters in the air, which in turn prompted the flamethrowers in the crowd to clear the dancefloors! From where I was standing, this looked quite a frightening past-time, as flames rose out of the crowd. But no-one else seemed too bothered and everyone partied on oblivious to the conflagration.

The layout of SW1 is simple and appealing. It consists of a stage, dancefloor, upstairs balcony, a licensed bar (phew!) and surprisingly comfortable seats. These proved to be a big relief at about 3am or 4am, when, unlike other events, I didn’t have to resort to sitting on concrete, vomit and beer!

Although AWOL is, and always has been, a pure Jungle rave there is far less attitude and trouble than you would expect. In fact AWOL seemed to be trouble free, with tight security and Junglists whose main aim is to have a good time, which is good, as recently there has been too much trouble connected to Jungle music.

Because AWOL is on every week, and with (pretty much) the same line-up, you can always be guaranteed a good jungle do regardless of what else is going on. AWOL is running things at the moment – a definite must for those who love tearing drum and bass, appreciate a good sound system and are prepared to strut their stuff AWOL style.