TRACK: Major Threat

WHO: The Arteries

WHAT: Seriously rockin' semi-hardcore punk-metal rawk. With bells on.

THE HYPE: "The Arteries is an excellent band...the music is always energetic, exciting, and ultimately extremely fun." - helium.com

WE SAY: I'd hazard a guess that when I tell you that the punk-rockin Arteries are from Swansea, your response is: "er...oh...really? Swansea?! Er...really?!" Let's face it: it's not a city known for producing avant-garde or challenging music, is it? No, of course it isn't. Nicky Wire is from Swansea. Harry Secombe is from Swansea. Heck, Catherine Zeta-Jones is from Swansea and she's one of the most boring people in the world ever. Never mind that I've actively despised the city ever since the day Swansea-born Dean Saunders scored the goal that sent Exeter City crashing out of the FA Cup in 1994. I don't hold grudges. Not a bit. Oh, let's just get on with it...

Recently signed to Household Name Records, The Arteries is a band that manages to bolt the pop-punk aesthetics of both Green Day and Offspring to the heavy-rock riffage of Kerbdog and then liberally sprinkles a bit of melodic Iron Maiden guitar melody over the top. In short: they sound like a grown-up Violent Delight with better tunes, proper riffs and a higher appreciation for classic rock. Actually, this summation does them a disservice; they're far better than that.

A slug of feedback triumphantly kicks off Major Threat, (hardcore pun obviously intended) and is swiftly trounced by devastating staccato riffs, a pounding, rollicking bass, impassioned tub-thumping and raucous vocals that drip attitude as heavily as Lieutenant Columbo's Basset Hound drips saliva all over that Peugeot 403. A beautifully bluesy Dave Murray-inspired guitar solo effortlessly ices the heavy rock cake, which is impossible to devour in more than two mouthfuls, even if you do end up with rock jam all over your face and metal crumbs down your cardigan.

Oh, and just one more thing: whilst obviously in (or on) very high spirits after playing a fabulous set at the New Cross Inn (souf-eeest London, innit?) at the weekend, the guys left their box of merch on the pavement outside. If you've seen it, got it, or can help them get it back, hit their blog sharpish.

IF YOU ONLY NEED TO KNOW ONE THING: The Arteries is such a hard-rockin' band, they got caught speeding on the way back from a gig the other week. As they're obviously such sweet talkers, thankfully they got off with only a caution. One can only hope they were listening to Ace Frehley's Speedin' Back to My Baby and eating fire in full makeup at the time. And I don't mean maybe neither.

WHERE CAN I GET MY HANDS ON IT: If you just fancy a casual listen and a hard-hitting head bop, hit their MySpace page. If you want something more physical and long-lasting, the band has released three 10" EPs: Blood, Sweat and Beers. If you've made the switch to digital however, you can also get the debut album on a CD. Whichever way you go, don't delay. Ordering details are on their MySpace page - and try to catch them live too - because they're ace.

Find More: www.myspace.com/thearteries

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