Dead or American – Thaumaturgy

It's nothing more than a heinous coincidence that the introductory riff to Dead or American's second album should echo I Predict A Riot; they can't have taken much inspiration from anything recorded this side of 1994. And if you miss the cerebral punishment of incredible bands like Helmet (see Shibboleth) and the Jesus Lizard (I direct you to Ne Plus Ultra), you'll probably rejoice at the prospect.

It's a given, then, that Thaumaturgy is no disposable collection of summertime lager lout anthems. Much like 2006's Ends, there's a haunting quality to the songs which is aesthetically complemented by the autumn months that the band choose to surface. Prone to wild mood swings, one minute A Border Crossing transports you to a still mountainside where a soft breeze blows in your face, the next you're mercilessly chased home through the woods by Potboiler's venom. This is their witching hour, and as they say themselves: "God forbid the season's change."