YOU can see for yourself whether The Mission are going through a return to form when they visit the Wedgewood Rooms in Southsea tonight.

The band released their new album, AurA, in August of last year and it is said to be a welcome return for the band's former swagger and confidence.

AurA was recorded between December and July 2001 and was mixed by The Cure guru Dave Allen and Steve Power, who has worked with Robbie Williams.

The Mission formed in 1986 when Wayne Hussey and Craig Adams left their band The Sisters Of Mercy and went on a European tour supporting The Cult before signing their deal with Phonogram Records. Their first single, Stay With Me, went straight into the charts at number 30.

The band released their debut album, God's Own Medicine, before going on to have hits with Wasteland, Tower Of Strength, Deliverance and Butterfly On The Wheel. During this period the band enhanced their reputation as one of the best and most exciting live bands around, headlining at the Reading Festival and playing with U2 and Robert Plant.

After splitting up in 1994, the band reformed six years later, embarking on a world tour before signing to Playground Recordings. Tickets for The Mission and Bonemachine are priced £10. Telephone 01292 863911 for more details.