Despite making its debut at number one on the Billboard Top 100, Staind still remain an unknown quantity east of the great Atlantic divide. Well, with a European release looming, all that’s about to change. For, a million-dollar production teases the very best out of this collection of dark genius. Full-on metal numbers like ‘Can’t Believe’ manage to sit comfortably alongside acoustically tinged ballads of pain and self-loathing.

Listen to the catchy metallic prowess of ‘Open Your Eyes’, the Soundgarden feel of ‘Pressure’ and then be blown away by ‘It’s Been Awhile’, a song with the word ‘hit’ written all over it. You may even feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up at the way a band labelled ‘nu-metal’ use vocal harmonies to surprising effect.

With Aaron Lewis’ acoustic version of ‘Outside’ receiving huge airplay in the States, it’s only a matter of time until the band’s reputation reaches Europe. Already, several live shows are planned in the UK in August.

Kieran Ball 10