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ALLOY MENTAL We Have Control Skint

Phil Kieran has long been regarded as one of Northern Ireland's leading DJs, producers and remixers, but it took the arrival of indie stalwarts Martin Corrigan and Danny Saul into the Alloy Mental fold for Kieran's meaty and beaty techno- punk to really take shape. The trio's debut album is brimful with steamy techno and sneery rock, making for an often dynamic mix of raw sounds and frenzied energy. Alloy Mental are at their best when dealing with hearty dancefloor bangers such as God Is Green and Alloy Mental. While there are a couple of moments when you're reminded of certain hackneyed beat constructions from days gone by (Stick It in Your Neck is guilty by association in this regard), it's obvious that the trio's aim is most true when they stick to merging techno and punk into big, blatantly catchy grooves. It's not rocket science, but it does hit the spot. www.myspace.com/alloymental   JIM CARROLL

Download tracks: Alloy Mental, God Is Green