There’s no mistaking a song by the Living End when it comes on the radio – the band’s sound is so distinctive that it makes it very hard to confuse them with anyone else. There’s that intense drum, that double bass thud, that serrated guitar, and Chris Cheney’s sweet rasp of a voice.

Of course, the fact that the band are so distinctive can also work against them – it’s part of the reason that the band’s final album on Reprise, their American label, failed. Modern ARTillery was the sound of the Living End tailoring themselves for others, rather than being true to their own vision. It’s part of what makes State of Emergency such a strong return to form.

It also helps that Chris Cheney in particular has never sounded better – his voice is confident and strong throughout, while the choice of working with Nick Launay as producer has worked well for the band. It’s ensured that Cheney’s always-impressive fret work is the guiding focus of much of State of Emergency, from rocking punches on the opening “Till the End” and “Long Live the Weekend” through to single “What’s on Your Radio” and onwards to the ripping title track.

Pop moments like “No Way Out” and “Nothing Lasts Forever” work well into the bargain, which greatly assists the band in varying their sound somewhat on State of Emergency. The latter track is indeed the most impressive – a big anthemic puncher, with a poppy lead and a monster chorus. Indeed, it’s the sort of single that could find the Living End rocketing back to the popularity of “Saves the Day” and “Second Solution”. Whilst perhaps two or three tracks long, State of Emegency draws on the same urgent passion and sound that inspired their excellent second album Roll On, and is similarly strong throughout.