The Hellacopters were once part of the super sound of Sweden – alongside the likes of the Hives and the (International) Noise Conspiracy, there was something wickedly dangerous and exciting about them.

So what the fuck’s happened? Rock & Roll is Dead is one of the tamest, most stupendously safe and boring rock records heard for some time. They may claim that the genre is dead, but that because dull records such as this have knocked it for six, not opened up the world to new and exciting sounds.

Whereas previously the Hellacopters have sounded amped up on energy and adrenalin, on Rock & Roll is Dead they sound like a dully average pop act by comparison. Perhaps it’s a case of wanting to mature with age and not stay in the same place. It’s backfired. When “No Angel to Lay Me Away” has some genuine hooks and “Bring It On Home” some actual spice and verve in its punk fervour, highlights like this come few and far between on Rock & Roll is Dead. Instead, what you get is a messed up album that throws its weight around in a division in which it simply doesn’t belong. If the Hellacopters really want to be famous, they’re gonna have to do a hell of a lot better than the insanely average and pedestrian Rock & Roll is Dead.