Birmingham, birthplace to the patron saint of metal Ozzy Osbourne and the first kings of spandex Judas Priest, what are you about to bestow on us this time?

With the initial shockwaves caused by The Darkness' eighties throwback hair metal now burnt out to a frazzle, the expected resurgence of METAL never occurred and once again it seems ROCK has become just another dirty four-letter word.

Cannock based four piece The New Blacks however obviously haven't been paying attention to the fashion bible, which is just as well, because their 'Sound Of Loud' demo rocks like the proverbial fatherless child.

'I Feel' and 'Love Is Suicide' are carefree clarion calls a la Wildhearts circa 'Fishing For Luckies', while 'Rockout' could teach the Hawkins brothers a thing or two about songwriting, minus the nascent pilfering of one's idols.

I guess those studded cufflinks and denim waistcoats might come in useful again after all.