What can you say about Hardknox? They're loud, they're in your face, they're aggressive and they're not the kind of band you'll put on as background music when your Gran comes round for tea. They are a duo of Lindy Layton (ex-Beats International) and Stevie P. who has obviously been influenced by all types of underground dance music. Their style, combining rock, dance and hip-hop and their associations with Norman Cook through Beats International, is a recipe for success.

Both prove themselves to be excellent DJ's and Lindy is brilliant on vocals. The highlight of the album is Attitude; a full on, in your face, rock/dance song with a guitar riff that makes Metallica look like a pack of fluffy kittens.

The combination of Lindy on vocals and samples is used to good effect making the album varied enough to keep this CD in any dance fans' player for a good while. Their brilliant use of sampling sees them sample an Israelite maniac shouting wild threats at them on a trip to the Middle East on Fire Like This and an unsuspecting guest on an American chat show on Attitude.

The only down side is that they may be a little bit late with this style of music to be truly successful. They are perhaps doing what the likes of the Prodigy were doing a long time ago, even if some of their songs make Smack My Bitch Up look like a children's Nursery Rhyme.

But if you can see past this then you will find a very good album. Hardknox have got a point to make and they're not pulling any punches in doing so.

So get angry.

8/10 Sam Cook.

Album Reviews
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