DUOS are proving extremely successful in the wake of The White Stripes’ global domination and distorted and heavy guitar riffs can be heard pounding out of garages UK-wide as terrible twosomes throw down some heavy guitar rock for our listening pleasure.

One such act is The Black Knights consisting of the interestingly monikered The Dark Reverend Gary L. Hope and Thomas Richard Pickford III.

Giving us a raw and emotional display of pure musical energy it fits in nicely with the image of dark and dank music halls and handlebar moustachioed beer-swilling regulars with tattooed arms and hairy chests nodding in agreement.

L.A. Hayfever is a ferocious opener and immediately has the hand reaching for the volume dial. The only way is up. Mailbomb Tom is a lovely bluesy number with harmonic yet demonic vocals and a tempo which pierces the skin and has muscles and joints moving in time with seeming ease.

There are also some poignant acoustic moments. Receiver is as eerie as it is memorable and a brilliant way to bring proceedings to a close. The band describes it as: “akin to being a vampire when everyone else around you is a werewolf.” Lonely and demanding it is, but exceptional also fits the bill.

A terrific little LP with very few dull moments. Big things could be headed the way of the BKs.

LEIGH SANDERS Rating: 4/5