Now here's something a bit different to blow your skirt up. Coming from up Lancashire way, Mardigras Bombers are yet another top notch act on the highly impressive STP Records. If you've ever wondered what an album would be like if you took a punk rock grounding and threw in smatterings of early Iron Maiden, dashes of The Who and a pinch of white reggae. Well basically you'd get something along the lines of 'Come On In!' And that's only a taster of what musical joys are held within this album.

Opening track 'Validate The Mission' kicks off with a very Damned-like feel to it but with a bit of galloping bass and rhythm to mix things up a bit. Also there's a bit of organ in there for that 'Tommy-like' feel. A real indicator of what to expect (or not, because this album is full of surprises) for the rest of the record. 'No Sleep' actually reminds somewhat of Chrome Division and the pastiche of Rainbow's 'Kill The King' mid-song is a stroke of genius. 'New Locusts' could have come off of a Pennywise album, if Poison Idea had played it. Do you get where this album is going? Yep, a hell of a lot of places, and far from being disjointed it just makes very enjoyable listening.

'Resurrection Gang' has got a smattering of the Misfits in there somewhere. 'Ah Pook!' has a white reggae undertone and Vanian-esque vocals (fair play frontman Damien Gillett does have an uncanny vocal resemblance to the man). Meanwhile Sam Smethurst's lead vocals on 'Girl-X' give the song a great edgy feel, much like some of L7's more off-kilter works. 'Alien Heat' is what you might imagine GBH to sound like if they took Hawkwind's acid. 'Invisible Idiots' and 'Love Explained' are slightly more straightforward, though the latter has a great rock 'n' roll vibe and closer 'Modest Proposal' finishes off in typical fashion (for this lot anyway) with a New Model Army intro leading into some fine NWOBHM riffing.

Confused or intrigued? It might seem like a right smorgasbord of musical styles but Mardigras Bombers have succeeded in drawing on a huge range of influences and creating one of the most unique sounding albums I've heard in many a moon. I'm sure you'll find a whole lot more in there on repeated listens as well. An absolute breath of fresh air of an album and well worth checking out.

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http://www.stprecords.co.uk/