Propelled by vocalist Benjamin Kowalewicz, the group covers the expected rapid-fire rants, yet manages to venture into some more spacious fields.
Horses and Chariots, in particular, benefits from a pulsing, deep synth line over which vocals are largely chanted (before the combined roar of the choruses), although a few tracks, including This Is Our War, verge on dime-a-dozen political-pop riffage.
• Billy Talent. Afraid Of Heights. The End/Warner.
• Three stars (out of five)
Single download: Afraid of Heights
For those who like: Green Day, Offspring
— Shane Gilchrist
