PRESENTING their latest tour The Way Of The Drum, Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers thrilled the packed venue.

The traditional Japanese rhythms of Taiko are delivered by a talented four-piece group of musicians (sounding suspiciously Scottish!) This was a lively and entertaining concert, the band performing on a range of Taiko drums and percussion, while revealing Japanese history, culture and background in a dramatic yet intimate show.

Totally acoustic, with no electric instruments or microphones, this is a compelling mix of tightly choreographed movements, primal rhythms and thundering, exhilarating drumming.

One of the highlights of the first set was Gojinjo Taiko (translated as “war song drumming”), based on a 400-year-old legend from the Japanese civil war, when local villagers scared off an invading army by blasting out Taiko drums while wearing scary demon masks made from wood and seaweed.

The show’s informative commentary is helpful and humorous, adding background colour to the musical pieces.

Although Taiko drumming is physically demanding, the performers frequently standing with legs braced far apart or sitting on the floor leaning backward, weekend workshops in the skills are apparently very popular.

The second set featured audience participation – some naff Japanese “singing” from a crude phonetic visual aid held aloft – and some sensational group drumming.

By their nature, drums are musically repetitive and monotonous, but in these Mugenkyo Drummers’ skilled hands they can be hypnotic, primal and utterly compelling.