Finland’s Battle Beast; true Marmite warriors, seemingly causing love and loathing over the course of a career that now numbers seven full-lengthers in equal measure… Me? I’ve wavered between the two camps on occasion, finding much to love but equally occasionally finding myself feeling a little queasy after exposure to some of the band’s more saccharine moments. But I think it’s safe to say, after repeated immersion’s in the band’s new album, Steelbound, that I’ve never been so firmly entrenched in ‘Camp Love’!

There aren’t any weak moments on Steelbound, Rather, the band take each of the styles they’ve become known for, sharpen their approach to same with malicious intent and then go for broke. The Burning Within is a rousing, none-more-metal opener, whilst Here We Are gives Dynazty and H.E.A.T. a run for their money in the melodic metal stakes. And at the heart of the storm at all times are the quite, quite superb vocals of Noora Louhimo, standing tall and reinforcing her reputation as one of the most formidable vocal forces of the age.

The title track is another of those Battle Beast songs you could see giving Eurovision a good shake, whilst the symphonic interlude The Long Road shows that there’s a hell of a lot of substance, talent-wise, behind the style.

I can understand why hardened Earthrats and Hellhounds may give the band a wide berth, but, when the band goes hell for leather in a double kickdrum-fuelled orgy of overkill two thirds of the way through Steelbound, it’s hard to see why anyone who calls themselves a metalhead of any stripe wouldn’t find something to enjoy here.

Okay, the metal mambo of Twilight Cabaret might test the patience a little – Metal Manilow is perhaps not a concept too many are ready to embrace – but my overall point stands, and stands firm. Battle Beast are a great band, and in Steelbound they’ve come up with a very good album indeed. Get stuck in!

Steelbound releases on October 17th.