Woooaaaaarrrghhhh! If Schism records are to be believed this, ladies and gentlemen, is the sound of the North. Collecting seven of the region’s most exciting new bands, the emphasis is most definitely on the shouty, in your face, nu-metal end of things.

As always with these sort of ventures, some of it works, some of it just falls flat. On more than one occasion, the execution fails to match the ideas – whether it be through inexperience, lack of recording technique (Moracova and Pepper Book both contribute tracks from demos) or just not being up to it.

The overall impression, however, is pretty positive (albeit in a dark metal sort of way). Superskin live up to their reputation, especially with the hip-hop tinged ‘Run The Ritual’. Of the newer names, the sheer sonic assault of Spindrift and indie metal of Lowend are the most impressive, although Hyperplant and Moracova are also worthy of further investigation.