(Universal Island Records)

So the scary freak-rockers the Eighties Matchbox B-line Disaster are back with album number two. Preceded by three well chosen singles that became long-term fixtures on student radio playlists across the country presumably as well as many others, 'The Royal Society' has received rave reviews from all the respected (and unrespected) music papers.

TEMBD have indeed produced a stunning LP. Guy McKnight?s superb eerie, baritone vocals power through the strong and imposing tracks which, although based on a heavy concept, are none too heavy for the adventurous listener. Totally deserving of the critic?s praise, 'The Real Society' puts other recent attempts at heavy rock to shame. Stand-out tracks include 'I Rejection,' 'Mister Mental' (a huge crowd-pleaser at this summer's Carling Weekend) and 'Drunk On The Blood.' Admittedly however, it's a hard task to pick out the best tracks, as each one is just as formidable as the one that came before it.

Lyrics of the album undoubtedly come from 'Puppy Dog Snails' (a perfect soundtrack to your Halloween): 'What do we do with a boy like you? We put them in a pot and we throw them on the fi-re.'