In concert, this band has a breadth of musical vision that takes you from reflective angst to all-guns-blazing rocket-fuelled firepower. This EP has elements of all that, but not as extreme in either direction, thus only providing a hint of the force that this band is in concert. This EP features three songs and it's the songs that are the key rather than any particular display of firepower. What it does reveal, though, is that this band can certainly write and arrange with a uniqueness that makes them stand out. The overall effect is a more subtle mix of Public Image and Linkin Park but much more complex in terms of its dynamics than either. The EP opens with the title track, a mix of chiming guitar riffs, lurching rhythms, scratching effects and the soaring, emotive powerful vocals of the lead singer, the whole thing coming across as an industrial version of PIL. It starts a bit like a Linkin Park track then this awesome bass comes thundering in as the vocal takes off, sung forcefully rather than hollered, the guitar undercurrent running alongside scratchy beats as the song suddenly erupts into its cauldron of a chorus. But then the power fades and you are left with a slowly flowing mass of rumbling bass, soaring guitar and crunchy drums - all very sedate and gorgeous - and then the track fires up once more on this thunder of a bass riff as the chorus returns and band plus singer take off to the end of the track, intoning the title in roaring mantra-like fashion, and one superb track. The five and a half minute "It Goes On" starts in atmospheric fashion with rain storm sounds and piano as the guitar starts to chime, sampled voices are heard and the guitar chimes. Over this the impassioned vocal delivers a thoughtful set of lyrics as things start to intensify as bas and effects thunder on, only they build the track slowly higher rather than actually break out, as the dynamic industrial indie song continues, changing pace and structure and dynamics as it goes, but always glowing with a molten heart. The synths and keys are to the fore with some wicked bass work while the guitars take a more accompanying role as the band delivers a flowing sea of brooding instrumental magic in the mid portion of the song, before the vocalist returns to take the song to a higher plane as the rhythms thunder slowly, the scratching effects continue and the song flows effortlessly to its conclusion. Dynamically, the near six minute "Life Is Strange" follows a similar path, only here the guitar is more to the fore, the synths are fuller-sounding and the rhythms from effects, bass and drums are altogether more urgent and commanding. On top, another forceful vocal performance is unleashed, the mix here being Lydon-esque angst and soaring anthemic chorus work, as the industrial indie-rock brew glides purposefully forward with passionate strength and determination. As an EP it's good stuff, not as incendiary as I've seen them live, but proving that they are way more than just a bunch of industrial punks where the songs and arrangements are concerned.

Hanney