Johnny Truant
In The Library Of Horrific Events

For all the talk of all the best heavy music exclusively residing upon those fabled American shores of late, Brighton’s *Johnny Truant *are here to prove the metal fraternity that the UK can do noisecore and they can do it pretty damn well.

Despite my imminent hyperbole, the influences here are quite apparent with flashes of Norma Jean, *Nora *and *Every Time I Die *coming up every so often. They are all American bands. Do not let this detract, however, as on this second album *Johnny Truant *are pushing all the envelopes they can find in an attempt to distinguish themselves from the ever-burgeoning and ever more popular noisecore ‘scene’.

Majestic, soldiering anthems such as_ ‘Vultures’_, and the quiet extremes of _‘I The Exploder’ _meld together to make sure _In The Library Of Horrific Events _has sharper edges and faster let downs than anything *Johnny Truant *has made previously. Lead single, _‘The Bloodening’ _blends stupefying metal onslaughts with bungee jump dynamics and the occasional lulls in the noise serve to exacerbate any feeling of filthy apprehension you may have had.

Clearly a hugely talented troupe, the quartet have moved on from the often shoddy and wandering movements of their 2002 debut to a more concise, catchy and ultimately darker affair. Couple this with an admirable work ethic and it is obvious why they are heralded as the leaders of the British pack. You can’t help but remember all the talent that is found over the other side of the pond. It is a fact that we have a genuine metalcore talent in Johnny Truant, but where will this band go from here without real competition amongst peers?