Chrome Hoof - Pre-Emptive False Rapture

Though Goblin and Black Sabbath are cited as influences by Chrome Hoof, that's just the tip of the iceberg. Pre-Emptive False Rapture owes a hefty debt to the mania of Fantomas but infuses such noodlings with a pop flavour, conjuring strange images of NOXAGT covering the Scissor Sisters.

Formed by Cathedral drummer Leo Smee and his DJ brother Milo, Chrome Hoof embodies the messy collision of numerous distinct genres, previously considered incompatible by the less adventurous. Thundering riffs are forced blunt-ways into disco grooves, interspersed with string quartets and obscene time signatures. Vocals range from contemporary Madonna to early Obituary, calling at Gregorian chant, David Yow impressions and a guest appearance by Lee Dorian along the way.

It's not exactly a comfortable listen and doesn't always flow seamlessly, but this is nevertheless entirely compelling and deserves a hearty round of applause for its sheer ingenuity. [Chris Cusack]