Newish label Crusader Records is fast becoming a pretty reliable source for top notch heavy metal and hard rock, and the label’s latest release – In For The Kill from Swedish glam metal quartet ToxicRose – is absolutely no exception to that rule.

Positioning themselves somewhere between fellow Swedes Sister and American teen metal darlings Black Veil Brides – yet potentially better than either – ToxicRose have created a sumptuous assault on the senses with their second album.

Based around the mega-versatile voice of Andy Lipstixx – Mr. and Mrs. Lipstixx must be very proud of their boy – who runs the full metal gamut vocally from gritty snarling to a full-on King Diamond wail, sometimes in the same song, the band have come up with ten built to last anthems on In For The Kill; Outta Time lies at the more modern end of the spectrum, Tom Wouda‘s churning axe assault underpinned by swirling synths a la Dynazty, whilst the quite superb Angel mines the eighties for nuggets of inspiration that’ll have metal fans of a certain age weeping tears of pure Mad Dog 20/20… If you know, you know…

Johannes Sandberg pounds away on the bass – his growling tone at the start of closing track Great Escape is a particular highlight – forming a solid rhythm partnership with drummer Michael Sweet, but really this is the Lipstixx show, and the man grabs the ball and runs with it in exuberant style on every single track offered up on In For The Kill.

The band has a strong visual image- think the Crüe at their sleaziest and most dangerous – and such attention to detail often comes at the expense of the music, but no such problem manifests itself here. ToxicRose would appear to be very much the complete package, a sleek, powerful heavy metal killing machine in every respect. If melodic metal played with panache and style is your thing, welcome to your new favourite band…

In For The Kill releases on September 24th