Reviewed by Graeme Crawford

The latest album from the Georgia-based maverick rockers is a complex concept piece about an underground punk-rock alien and the near future. "Cancer" is used as a derogatory term for the ruling US Government. Released through online community site Come & Live, 'Cancer' comes with a booklet which explains the story through the journal of the alien Kimo. Ultimately of course, the success or otherwise of such an ambitious concept project will depend on how good the music is. As it happens, it's excellent. A vibrant mix of their myriad influences leads to a cocktail of straight-ahead punk ("Anarchy"), emotive and epic power ballads ("You Will Die In A Prison") and frantic rockers ("Planet Cancer"), all infused with hints of glam rock, ska and electronica. The lyrics are multi-faceted, dark and heavy yet positive and uplifting at the same time. Singer and songwriter Josh Dies is not afraid to share his beliefs openly in his music, but some may find the context quite challenging. The story is somewhat convoluted but I would encourage you to persevere as the groundbreaking album is a truly engrossing work of rock art.

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