Thrive On Neglect ambitiously mixes styles but it truly delivers, and easily lives up to my high expectations. Immortal Bird have crafted an exhilarating and evocative album that should feature in the library of any discerning metal fan.

Densely packed and busy sounding but never overdone, Crux is an inspiring and uplifting distillation of modern rock. If nothing else, I just really, really enjoy listening to this delightful album, and that’s all that matters right?

It may have been a long ten-year wait for existing fans but ‘III: The Forest Within the Tree’ is an excellent reminder of Deadbird’s ability to produce a gloomy and eerie sludge dirge, and is unique enough within this genre to hopefully draw in many new fans of the band.

Using proto-thrash touchstones, the majority of the nine tracks on Electric Messiah are punchy, energetic and primordial.

Thankfully, ‘Unloved’ easily lives up to the expectations heaped upon it, but at the same time is not exactly what people might have predicted. The fully anticipated ferocious pace, out-of-control programmed drums, staccato rhythms, gut-wrenching vocals, distorted riffs and outrageous guitar noises that featured on ‘Orange Mathematics’ are all present and improved upon by Frontierer 2.0.

Obsidian is very much an engrossing and enjoyable listen that flows excellently, and it has interesting dynamics over the course of its heavy trip. A definite recommendation for fans of the likes of Mars Red Sky and Pallbearer.