LAST STOP CHINA TOWN
Into The Volcano
Fool's Paradise 2009



Midlands band Last Stop China Town caused a few rippled back when they first appeared on the scene, three or four years ago. Off the back of their debut, "Vital Signs", they went on to tour with Bullet For My Valentine and Skindred, amongst others, before seemingly vanishing.

Well they're back, with a rejigged line-up and a slightly rejigged sound. Although not drastically changed, so fans who remember them will find much to recognise here. It's a bleak, angry and desolate world, with little room for cheer. You'll lose count of the number of references to rage and misery, should you try keeping a record.

Musically, it's a mix of classic metal, hardcore and thrash put through a schizophrenic blender. When it works, as it does on 'Blood In The Snow' and 'Voices', then it's a mighty fine sound. The former, a doom laden instrumental track, is an absolute blinder that bigger bands would kill to have written, leading into the prog-metalesque 'Pain Of A Thousand'.

I'm not a huge fan of the vocals, but there is enough here to keep the interest piqued.

© Stuart A Hamilton
Rating *** (3.0/5.0)

Last Stop China Town