Michelle Meldrum was the guitarist in late 80's all-female rockers Phantom Blue, as well as being married to Europe guitarist John Norum.

Since relocating to Scandanavia she has formed her own eponymous band and supported Motorhead and Black Label Society.

Somewhat surprisingly this, their second album, appears on melodic rock specialist label Frontiers, but from the sulky pouts and nose piercings, to the lyrical invective of songs like Purge, Down Your Throat and Bite the Pillow, it is clear they have nailed their cannons firmly to the mast of 90's metal, and with a sound that calls to mind the likes of Korn, Machine Head, Rage Against the Machine and Pantera. Indeed at times it is hard to credit that Moa Holmsten's angsty shouting is that of a woman!

As the album progresses however, these are balanced with some more traditional hard rock, with Hang 'em and Another Kind standing out and some excellent guitar solos. Lemmy also makes a guest appearance with backing vocals on Miss Me When I'm gone, a biker-type anthem.

Your view of this album will ultimately be coloured by where you stand on the hard rock spectrum : the Download crowd should find much to enjoy, but there was too much bile and anger in it for my own more traditional tastes.

***

Review by Andy Nathan