If you see this cd in your local grunt emporium, pick it up and have a look: because it rather redefines how emergent Irish bands are capable of presenting themselves. It’s a stunner, in all senses of the word. It takes more than good looks and a nice sound to impress MI though - so how do Thoughts Of Ruin fare on closer inspection? And why do they practically time-share a band name?

Ten years, three albums: despite their revolving door lineups and varying quality control on the gig front, Waylander have returned with a new deal and a new album. One of Ireland’s better known bands on the international stage, they’ve nonetheless needed to regain the power and confidence of their debut for some time. This artwork certainly puts a brave front on things - but have they done it?

Pedigree Corner, Co. Laois - unlikely setting for the keynote event of the Irish metal calendar. The annual DOD rolled into 2008 with some commanding names taking stage alongside the natives. MI presents its (almost) yearly drilldown on the metal madness, and finds that amongst the twin madness of Nefilheim and Watain, we’re not doing too badly ourselves.