Fightstar
Deathcar

Fightstar are a muddled metal-loving four-piece, that much’s clear from ‘Deathcar’, single two from album two One Day Son, This Will All Be Yours. While it’s brutish of riff and powerful of melody, the track’s twin goals of matching Deftones’ magnificence and Machine Head’s hostility leaves it treading water ‘tween the two influences rather haphazardly.

What is a plus is Charlie Simpson’s ever-developing singing voice – the former Busted boy’s got a splendid set of pipes on him these days, as his aggressive charge early doors slips into lighters-aloft sing-along a minute into proceedings. He only comes unstuck when words fail him: what sounds like it might be “You make me fucking sick” comes across like the worst Jonathan Davis impersonation, ever.

Undeniably finding their creative feet still, even at the second-album stage, Fightstar are a band in progress. ‘Deathcar’ is an impressive attempt at punching above their weight, its acerbity sure to stimulate teenage listeners, but there’s no doubting the quartet’s comfort zone is one surrounded by heavy-hooked choruses rather than bile-spitting breakdowns.