Manchester 5 piece The Deceived launch their pretty impressive debut album Monuments. And for a band without an apparent web site (unless you count their Myspace page) or any easily googled info, it's a remarkably mature piece of work.

Described as a mix of Math and EMO (and if it means intelligent rock with emotional vocals, then The Deceived tick both boxes), the band deliver a cunning combination of hard hitting rock (think Tool), angular rhythms (think Biffy Clyro) and some glorious melodies (think latter day Marillion).

To my mind, perhaps at their most creative on the quieter passages - try, for example, The Mute or This Vienna Theory which are beautifully played and sung with some lovely chiming guitar work and some superb vocals from Sam Netherwood, the band's modus operandi is to interlace some bludgeoning rifferamma into their song structure.

But for me these two approaches aren't always comfortable bedfellows. A little less aggression on the thunderous guitar passages, and The Deceived would be up there with Kings Of Leon. And if you don't believe me, have a listen to You Wanted An Afterword, I Gave You An End - all the ingredients are there. They just need to exercise a little restraint at times.

***½

Review by Pete Whalley