I recently saw a live performance by Biffy in a local club and almost left early because the sound and lighting was so bad. I made up my mind to get hold of the album that made up 50% of the set list to get a more accurate handle on the band’s newest music. I was in for a bit of a shock.

The album opens with the very hefty rock of Bodies In Flight that is much more ‘violent’ than anything I remember from their first superb album, BLACKENED SKY. But it’s great nonetheless and still manages to reveal a strong melody under the raw sound. The Ideal Height is rock of the slightly lighter hue although angry drum and guitars still manage to make their presence felt. Then a beautiful highlight of the album, With Aplomb, that takes my breath away with its lovely melody, orchestral and rock flourishes. Imagine a modern version of an Elizabethen, gentile dancing tune… The song develops into an epic tour de force with fabulous guitar riffs and I suspect it will be a single one day. It should be.

A Day Of… sees the band back into metal rock territory. It’s a volcanic song that races along at massive pace, while I began to wonder where the band is actually heading, musically… Diary Of Always stuns with its sampled, repeated vocal opening and superb expressive solo voice overlay. This song has the distinction that I have come to expect from this band. It’s slow, with tumbling drum beats, well-controlled guitar riffs and that soaring, pleading vocal. A truly amazing, original piece of music.

This is an album of surprises and shocks, but it somehow works as a cohesive rock album. The guys have miraculously worked-in metal as heavy as anything you’ll hear, together with the most beauitiful heartfelt passages. An amazing album (check out the fabulous sleeve cover graphic…) and one you should acquire.

4/5