On the face of it, London rockers Boy Kill Boy don't really have a great deal new to bring to the table. Their sound, full of synths and chunky guitar riffs, is hardly an innovative one - current bands like The Killers, The Bravery and Clor have been trading successfully in this market for quite some time, themselves drawing inspiration from the supposed golden age that was the '80s.
But to dismiss this quartet as mere bandwagon hoppers would be a gross error of judgement - with Civil Sin, their second release (and first since signing to Island), they have recorded one of the most action packed and exciting singles of the year.
Front man Chris Peck proves himself to be an utterly engaging singer in the mould of Paul Banks, with an almost alarming vocal intensity that doesn't let off for a second. Here he wails in a sinister fashion at breakneck pace over brooding synths and sharp riffing, and delivers a hook so potent that the CD should carry a government health warning. Something of monstrous proportions is brewing right under our noses - 2006 should watch out.
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