“We have achieved so much more than you possibly thought we could,” declares Biffy Clyro’s frontman/guitarist Simon Neil in ‘Wolves Of Winter’, the biting opening track on Ellipsis.
In many ways he’s right. As much a defiant middle-fingered salute to the band’s former naysayers as a realisation that all of their wildest dreams have come true, the song is a blustering statement of intent, assuring fans they haven’t forgotten where they’ve come from. Seven albums in, they’ve still got plenty of fire in their bellies.
Although it can get a little formulaic – they almost always follow a fist in the air, riff-driven stomper with a more delicate alt ballad – their decision to re-embrace their dirty side and make what they describe as “pint in the face rock” has resulted in their most consistently enjoyable offering since Puzzle. ‘Animal Style’ is a beast – an infectious mash-up of Dead Kennedys and Garbage; and the radio-friendly ‘Re-arange’ will rival ‘Many Of Horror’ as a big, mainstream anthem. Granted, the wonky country and western vibe of ‘Small Wishes’ doesn’t quite work and neither am I entirely convinced by the 1975-ish, kids choir-backed, sweet and sour stylings of ‘Friends And Enemies’. But the rest of the album sees Biffy Clyro on song. They’re back and sounding better than ever.
Rating: 7/10

Ellipsis is out today!