A real winner.

In 2009, the rock and metal music press was awash with talk of a new British band that would surely herald a new era of home-grown metal and Sacred Mother Tongue were suddenly propelled into the limelight. But, you see, it was all their own fault because 'The Ruin Of Man', their debut album which triggered so many column inches written by enthused scribes, was so damn good. The British press, almost entirely, agreed, 'we're onto another winner, here!'

Inevitably, performances at the UK's biggest rock and metal festivals, Download and Sonisphere, followed; this street was paved with gold. And then, as the jet seemed primed for take off...nothing. It would be three years before we would hear another SMT recording in the shape of last year's impressive EP, 'A Light Shines'. Just a few short months later and the follow up is finally here: 'Out Of The Darkness'.

That 'OOTD' is here at all is testament to the band's sheer determination and solidarity. Lead singer Darrin South suffered through depression which almost caused Sacred Mother Tongue to speak no more, but, thankfully, he came through it. The opening chugging blast, 'Demons', with its uplifting vocals and a huge chorus was the glorious result. Guitarist Andy James only enhances his growing reputation as one of the UK's most gifted players showing a wide range of pouncing verses and squealing heavy metal flurries. His breathless riffing and soloing on 'Seven' and 'Evolve/Become' puts pedal to the metal for South's powerful vocals to race along with. Post-hardcore sounding 'Bleeding Out' and 'The City Is Crying', with their tricky guitar rhythms and heart-stopping double bass drum attack, add some real grit.

The wonderful production brings South's voice into sharp focus, but listen closely to those Andy James riffs and it begs for another listen. And another. All four tracks on last year's EP have made it onto here, but the release has been bolstered by some fine additions. This is why the press was so excited by Sacred Mother Tongue originally. 'Out Of The Darkness' is a real winner.

Dan Bond